Notice: Chinese Tomb-Sweeping Day Holiday
Date: Apr 04, 2019
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During 5 April to 7 April, we will get a 3-day off for Tomb Sweeping Day. Therefore, no new articles will be updated on the Website. If you have any question, Please send us email to customerservice@ferroalloynet.com.
Qing Ming is the local name in China. Next to the lunar New Year, it is the second most important event in the travel calendar as everyone goes “home” to help “sweep” the tomb of revered ancestors, or at least bring food and light incense. Not only does it trigger a harried intra-country travel, it also occasions intense longing from those who do not make it home, especially those outside the sovereign borders.
Its origin dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period. Jin prince Chong’er ran away from the country with his supporters due to persecution. They were homeless for 19 years and things got so bad that Chong’er began to starve to death. One of the prince’s faithful followers, Jie Zitui, cut a piece of muscle from his own leg and served it to his master. Chong’er was saved and, in 636 BC, he took back the throne.
He rewarded the officials who had stayed loyal to him but he forgot about Jie Zitui. By the time Chong’er remembered him, a heartbroken Jie Zitui had traveled deep into the mountains. Chong’er wanted to persuade Jie to come home, so he had the hills set on fire. But Jie was later found beside a large tree, with his old mother on his back. Both were dead.
