1. In which culture do people celebrate the Chine Ming Festival?
2. Do young people celebrate this festival as well?
3. What does the willow stand for in the Chinese culture?
The Ching
Ming festival is one of the numerous festivals celebrated in China and
by Chinese people all over the world. It is celebrated in
April and is also known as "Spring Remembrance" or simply the
"Grave-sweeping Day". This special day is devoted to honoring
departed ancestors, when Chinese families visit the graves of their
loved ones to clear away weeds, touch up gravestone inscriptions, and
make offerings of wine and fruit.
The Chinese hold great
respect for their ancestors and the young are taught to pray to, and
for, the family spirits. Young people accompany their parents to the
graves and help in the cleaning process.
The "willow" is regarded
as the symbol of "light" and is the enemy of darkness in the Chinese
culture. On Ching Ming, willow twigs and branches are hung in doorways
to ward off the evil spirits. The Chinese believe that, if they
don't hang up willow twigs on Ching Ming, they will come back as a
yellow dog in their next life!
B. Read the article again and check your comprehension:
1. When is the Ching Ming Festival celebrated?
2. Where do people go on this day?
3. What do people do there?
4. Why do people hang up willow twigs and branches on this day?
5. What would happen to people if they didn't hang up willow twigs on this day?
