Apr 02 2007
Qing Ming
This post is dedicated to father, who recently died of Liver Cancer
For those not speaking mandarin Chinese language, Qing Ming is Tomb-Sweeping day. Looks a bit odd at first, but Qing Ming was the reason that this weekend lots of cars could be found on the Malaysian Roads. From Beijing to Shanghai, Taiwan, China, South East Asia: the Chinese religious offerings of Qing Ming have started.
Offerings
Shown in the picture: some grave goods you can offer to your ancestors on Qing Ming: a bottle of hard liquor, a beer, cigarettes, food … yet the tradition says that these grave goods offering can be in paper. Yes, you heard that right: a lot of the grave goods is paper: I could even buy a paper microwave. Not much for every day use cooking ware, yet we are talking Chinese ancestors here.
What is Qing Ming?
Chinese tradition depicts that Chinese faithful visit cemeteries to pay their respects to their ancestors during Qing Ming. They bring along food and paper gifts. The Chinese honour their ancestors by tending to their graves.
Qing Ming always falls on a Wednesday but it is acceptable to visit the ancestral graves in the 10 days before and after the actual day.
The Chinese ancestors look forward to Qing Ming as they want to see their children and grandchildren make an effort to visit them. They may not be expecting a feast but do not be stingy with your grave goods offerings. The ancestors have raised you up for a good many years and this is the only time of the year you pay them a visit.
The Chinese ancestors could not take their material possessions to the after-world. That is why we have to provide them with paper gifts and ‘hell’ notes.
Liver Cancer
Father recently died (see Liver Cancer), so Qing Ming this year reminds us a lot of father.
When your ancestors receive your offerings, they will be happy, and how well your life turns out to be depends on how happy your ancestors are.
Technorati Tags: Beijing | Shanghai | Chinese | Language | Malaysia | Food | China | Chinese religious | Travel | Qing Ming | Asia | East Asia | Tourism | Eating | Culture | Grave Goods | Tradition | Offerings | Ancestors
2 Responses to “Qing Ming”
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I’m just doing a “drive-by” and checking out your blog.
I’m married to a Filipino woman, so a lot of the food I eat is derived from Chinese foods. Some of your recipes make me extremely hungry.
[...] at The Skinny Cook explains the religious holiday of “Qing Ming”, tomb-sweeping day in [...]