Common practices during Qingming

    The major step is for the visitors to put offerings on the ground before the gravestone.

    The offerings vary in different areas in China. They often included fruits, paper money, cakes, liquor or wines.

    For example, in the southern provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, a baked pig head or even an entire piglet are must-have offerings unlike in northern provinces.

民俗节庆网

    Then cups of wine or liquor would be offered as people, particularly the younger ones, kneel down and kowtow or bow, a gesture to show respect and remembrance to the deceased person.

    However, the occasion is not just for mourning the dead.

中华民俗节庆网

    The Qingming Festival is celebrated two weeks after the Vernal Equinox, and the dates usually turn out to be April 4, 5, or 6. Thus, people also go out to celebrate the coming of the new season, the advent of warmer weather, the start of spring plowing as well as of family outings.  1155815