The Qingming Festival (清明节, 清明節, QÄ«ngmÃngjié, or Ching Ming Festival in Hong Kong), Clear Bright Festival, Ancestors Day or Tomb Sweeping Day is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice (or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox), usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar. The Qingming festival falls on the first day of the fifth solar term, named Qingming. The Qingming Festival is an opportunity for celebrants to remember and honor their ancestors at grave sites.
The image above is of my great-great-grandmother’s headstone, taken this year during Ching Ming. She wasn’t that much older than my grandparents, but she’s the one who took care of my grandfather. He called her “grandmother” so we followed suit. I never met my great-great-grandfather.
The 2 columns of Chinese writing on the sides are of their names. The column in the middle tells where they’re from: Toisan city, White Water Village, 8 Family area/section.
I visited the village with my grandparents in 2001. I only have prints from my film camera. (i bought my first digicam in 2002). Perhaps I’ll scan the pictures from that trip some day.
BtwI, think it’s funny that my great-great-grandfather’s first/middle name was Harry Blair. Harry was also my grandfather’s English name.
One Comment
Thanks for sharing what the tradition is about and your story. Great that you're exploring B&W!