According to legend, during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), The Prince of Jin went into exile to escape persecution. During his exile, he found himself in a lonely place, tired and hungry, and could not stand up any more. With the minister for a long time also can not find a little to eat, is everyone very anxious, with the minister jie zi pushed to a quiet place, cut a piece of meat from his thigh, cooked a bowl of broth for the childe to drink, chong Er gradually recovered spirit, when Chong Er found that the meat is jie Zi pushed his leg cut off, shed tears. Nineteen years later, Chong Er became the ruler of the state, also known as Duke Wen of the State of Jin in history. After enthronement, Lord Wen paid great tribute to those who had accompanied him in exile, but he forgot Jie Zitui. Many people complained for Jie and urged him to ask for rewards, but Jie despised those who fought for rewards. He packed his bags and quietly went to mian Mountain to live in seclusion with his mother. When Lord Wen of the State of Jin heard this, he felt ashamed and took his men to invite Jie. However, Jie had already left home and gone to Mian Mountain. Mian Mountain high road risk, dense trees, looking for two people is not easy, someone, from three sides of the fire mian Mountain, forced jie Zitui. Fire throughout the Mian Mountain, but did not see the figure of Jie Zitui, the fire extinguished, people found that carrying his old mother jie Zitui had died under an old willow tree. Seeing this, Duke Wen of the State of Jin wailed. At the time of the funeral, a note in blood was found in a hole in the tree, which read: "I will serve you with all sincerity when I cut the flesh. I hope your Lord will always be clear and bright." In memory of Jie, Duke Wen of the State of Jin decreed that this day be designated as "Cold Food Festival". The following year, Duke Wen of the State of Jin led his ministers to climb the mountain to pay homage, and found that the old willow dead and resurrected, they gave the old willow as "Qingming Willow", and speak to the world, and then the day after the Cold Food Festival as "Qingming Festival".
In literature records, Jie Zitui was a real person, but in the records of Zuo Zhuan and Shi Ji, there is no plot of Jie Zitui being burned to death on a mountain. In addition, the cold Food Festival originated in memory of Jie Zitui, which was not recorded until the turn of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 206 BC) (see Huan Tan's New Treatise). Many scholars believe it was created by later generations to explain the cold Food Festival. According to the test, the origin of qingming Festival actually has nothing to do with muon push. Qingming festival as a Spring Festival, far before the Zhou Dynasty has been determined. China has a vast territory, and the customs of the North and south are different in the pre-Qin period. The literature mainly records the northern customs. The Tang Dynasty is the period when the customs of the tomb sacrifice are integrated, and then the tomb sacrifice festival customs of qingming Festival gradually appear in the literature. In the historical development and evolution, most of the traditional festivals are attached with a legend as the "origin", but the actual investigation shows that these theories are far later than the birth of festivals and constructed by later generations.
Discussion of Implications
Can we wish each other happy Tomb-sweeping Day? The argument goes: No. The main activities of qingming Festival ancestor worship, grave solemn, solemn. At the same time, these two are related to death, ghosts and spirits, "happy" attitude is not desirable.
In this regard, Gao Wei, secretary general of Beijing Folk Society, said that Qingming festival can be said to be "happy Qingming Festival", such a statement has actually lasted for a long time; In comparison, "can not say happy Tomb-sweeping day", is nearly two years to emerge. The reason for the controversy is that people do not have a deep understanding of the meaning of Qingming Festival.
Gao Wei analysis, qingming Festival is the most important Spring Festival, the theme is very rich. The theme of Qingming Festival is not only to sweep tombs, but also to combine them with spring outing. When we go to blessing happiness, it also represents that we have the courage to overcome sadness and difficulties, which is also a positive attitude.
