Qingming Festival, remembering the departed with the feeling of gratitude

Today is Qingming Festival, the fifth segment of the Chinese 24 solar terms, aka. 24 节气 (jiéqì) in Chinese. These terms divide the solar year into 24 equal segments, each lasting about 15 days, and are based on the sun's position relative to the celestial equator. It's a big deal in traditional agriculture societies.

Today people observe the day with visiting and cleaning of tombs of their loved ones, making offerings, fulfilling filial obligations, paying respect, honoring the departed in their families, reconnecting with family's past, carrying on the legacy, and all of the above.

The observation of Qingming Festival is deeply imbued with personal, cultural, and familial significance. The values and meanings attached to these activities are embraced by individuals and communities, like reverence for tradition, respect for ancestors, and the desire to maintain familial bonds across generations.

Overseas Chinese from all corners of the world returning to their homeland around Qingming Festival to pay respects to their ancestors exemplifies the enduring importance of these cultural and familial connections, transcending geographical boundaries and reaffirming the significance of these traditions in their lives, no matter where they migrate.

With this understanding, hopefully this festival of remembrance brings you peace, continuity, and a feeling of bless and gratitude, which we so need to move on.

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8 responses
Yanwen Xia upvoted this post.
From a reader, "Love the tile, departed and gratitude." I think feeling gratitude will make us feel better over the loss of the loved ones.
6 visitors upvoted this post.