苏说文化二十四节气之清明(英文版)
The Qingming Festival
清明节
The ceaseless drizzle drips all the dismal day,
So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.
When asked where could be found a tavern bower,
A shepherd boy points to a yonder village of the apricot flower.
Some 1.200 years ago, a Chinese poem written by the great Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu illustrated a scene of the Qingming Festival.
清明时节雨纷纷，
路上行人欲断魂。
借问酒家何处有？
牧童遥指杏花村。
这是1200多年前，唐代大诗人杜牧笔下的清明节。
The Qingming Festival, known as Tomb-sweeping Day, falls on either April 4th or 5th of the Gregorian calendar, and is one of the Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms. From the date temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases. However, it is not merely a seasonal symbol; it is also a day to pay respect to the dead.
清明节，又称祭祖节，在公历的4月4日或5日，是中国二十四节气之一。从这天起，气温开始上升，雨量逐渐增加。然而，清明不仅仅代表季节变化，也是一个纪念逝者的日子。
Legend has it that in the spring and Autumn period more than 2000 years ago, Jie Zitui, a famous Minister of Jin State, helped Duke Wen and made great contributions, but he was indifferent to fame and wealth, and retired to the mountains. He stubbornly refused Duke Wen’s invitation, so the more stubborn Duke Wen set fire to the mountain to force him out. Finally, Jie Zitui was willing to be burned to death rather than go out of the mountain. Feeling remorseful, Duke Wen ordered 3 days without making fires to cook in honor of Jie Zitui.
相传在两千多年前的春秋时期，晋国名臣介子推辅佐晋文公，立下汗马功劳，却淡泊名利，归隐山林，他倔强地拒绝了国君再次召唤，而更为倔强的国君竟放火烧山想逼他出来，最后介子推情愿被烧死也不愿出山。文公懊悔不已，下令三天不许生火做饭以祭奠介子推。
Tomb sweeping is regarded as the most critical custom in the Qingming Festival. Cleaning the tomb and paying respect to the dead with offerings are the two important rituals. Weeding the tomb and adding some fresh soil to it are to let the dead live a comfort life. The dead person's favorite foods and wine are taken to sacrifice to them, along with paper, in the hope that they are not lacking meals and money. Bowing and mourning in silence is to show that we respect and miss the dead.
清明扫墓是清明节最重要的习俗。扫墓和祭奠是两项最重要的仪式。清除墓地杂草，加增一抔新土，愿逝者生活舒适; 奠些酒食，烧些纸钱，望逝者衣食无忧；鞠躬默哀，以示对逝者的尊敬与思念。
Qingming Festival is not only a day for commemorating the dead, but also a time for people to get pleasure. Throughout March, everything in nature takes on a new look, trees turning green, flowers blossoming, and also the sun shining brightly. It is a fine time to go out and to appreciate the stunning scenes of nature. Spring outings can not only add fun to our lives, but also benefit us physically and mentally.
清明节不仅是一个纪念逝者的日子，也是人们娱乐的日子。整个三月，大自然换上新装，树木变绿，鲜花盛开，阳光明媚。正是一个外出欣赏大自然美景的好时机。春游不仅能给生活增添乐趣，而且有助于身心健康。
Qingming represents the best time of spring scenery. Sacrificing to ancestors during such wonderful time showcases the importance of inheritance in Chinese people’s mind. Thanks to such awareness of inheritance, Chinese culture has always maintained the vitality for thousands of years.
清明是春光最好的时节，在这样的时节追思先祖，体现的是中国人内心对于“传承”的重视。而中国文化也正因为绵延千年的传承，至今仍然保有鲜活的生命力。
