1、its chinese name "qing ming" literally means "clear brightness," hinting at its importance as a celebration of spring. similar to the spring festivals of other cultures, tomb sweeping day celebrates the rebirth of nature, while marking the beginning of the planting season and other outdoor activities.

　　清明节，又叫踏青节，正是春光明媚草木吐绿的时节，也正是人们春游的好时候，所以古人有清明踏青，并开展一系列体育活动的的习俗。直到今天，清明节祭拜祖先，悼念已逝的亲人的习俗仍很盛行。

　　2、in ancient times, people celebrated qing ming jie with dancing, singing, picnics, and kite flying. colored boiled eggs would be broken to symbolize the opening of life.

　　3、one theory is that since any number of ghosts rome around a grave area, the less appealing food will be consumed by the ancestors, and not be plundered by strangers.

　　每年的公历四月五日前后为清明节，是二十四节气之一。今年的清明节是4月4日。在二十四个节气中，既是节气又是节日的只有清明。清明节是我国传统节日，也是最重要的祭祀节日。按照旧的习俗，祭祀(扫墓)时，人们要携带酒食果品、纸钱等物品到墓地，将食物供祭在亲人墓前，再将纸钱焚化，为坟墓培上新土，折几枝嫩绿的新枝插在坟上，然后叩头行礼祭拜，最后吃掉酒食回家。

　　清明节，又叫踏青节，正是春光明媚草木吐绿的时节，也正是人们春游的好时候，所以古人有清明踏青，并开展一系列体育活动的的习俗。直到今天，清明节祭拜祖先，悼念已逝的亲人的习俗仍很盛行。

　　celebrated two weeks after the vernal equinox, tomb sweeping day is one of the few traditional chinese holidays that follows the solar calendar-- typically falling on april 4, 5, or 6.

　　its chinese name "qing ming" literally means "clear brightness," hinting at its importance as a celebration of spring. similar to the spring festivals of other cultures, tomb sweeping day celebrates the rebirth of nature, while marking the beginning of the planting season and other outdoor activities.