The Tomb-Sweeping Day

我校英语沙龙第二期
清明雨上，折菊寄哀思

Qingming Festival, or the Tomb-Sweeping Day is one of the Chinese Twenty-four Solar Terms. It is on April 4th or 5th of the Gregorian calendar. It is the crucial time for plowing and sowing in the spring. From that date, the temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases.

清明节，是中国二十四节气之一，它是在公立4月4日或5日。这是春耕播种的关键时节，从那一天起，气温开始上升，降雨量增加。

Cleaning the tombs and paying respect to the dead with offerings are the two important practices to remember late relatives. Weeds around the tomb are cleared away and fresh soil is added to show care for the dead. The dead person's favorite food, wine and chopsticks are offered on their tombs, along with paper money.

祭扫分为扫墓和献上供品，这是对逝者的尊敬，是两种纪念逝去亲友的重要习俗。同时，为表示对逝者的关怀，还会清理墓边的杂草并盖上新的土壤。另外，还要将逝者喜欢的食物、酒及餐具连同纸钱一起被供奉在墓边。

Not only is it a day for commemorating the dead, but it is also a time for people to enjoy themselves. As trees turn green, flowers blossom,and the sun shines brightly, everything returns to life. It is a fine time to appreciate the beauty of nature.Flying kites is also closely associated with the Qingming Festival. Spring outings not only add joy to life but also promote a healthy mind and body.

清明，不仅仅是纪念逝者的日子，也是人们享受生活的日子。树木变绿，花儿绽放，阳光明媚，万物复苏，这正是欣赏大自然之美的好时机。

放风筝、外出踏青等活动不仅给生活增添了欢乐，也促进了身心健康。

People in south of China often eat this kind of green colored balls make from glutinous rice on Tomb Sweeping Day. The green color is from the juice of brome grass that is added in the rice.

生活在南方的中国人经常在清明节食用这种由糯米制成的绿色团子。我们称它为青团。

Can you make Qingtuan? Please follow us to do it.Let's make Qingtuan together.1. Put the spinach juice into the glutinous rice flour.2. Put the hot water into the Chengfen.3. Put the paste together.4. Put the stuffing into the wrapper.5. Squeeze them into a ball.6. Put them into the oven for 20 minutes.Please taste your Qingtuan.(Please be careful when removing the Qingtuan from the oven.)