The Qing Ming Festival (Remembrance of Ancestors Day or Grave-Sweeping Day) is celebrated on April 5th, the first day of the fifth solar term in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Qing Ming literally means clear brightness. It is a day of purification, during which people deeply connect with their ancestors and with nature. One of the most ancient and significant Festivals in the Chinese year, it is similarly observed throughout Malaysia,Taiwan, Singapore, Korea and Japan.
Traditionally the most important activity at the Qing Ming Festival or just beforehand, is for people to honour deceased relatives by cleaning, weeding and beautifying their burial place (known as tomb sweeping). Then they usually place fresh flowers or food there, light incense and pray for peace, health and good luck for their family.
Qing Ming is also known as the Spring-Outing Festival. A day to take an enjoyable family trip walking and exercising in nature, tree planting and other nature associated activities. Promoting happiness and good health, it is a celebration of life after paying homage to departed ancestors. People fly kites of various bright colours during the daytime. Illuminated lanterns are attached to the kites after dark and the sky is filled with hundreds of them, all resembling twinkling stars. The kites are symbolic of good fortune.
The Qing Ming Festival day is held at the start of the Dragon month, the time when temperatures rise and nature is encountering a huge transformation. It is the sign for farmers to do their Spring planting, also a sign to do some spring cleaning at the natural transition of the seasons