Qingming Festival: Honoring the Past with Reverence Embracing Spring with New Beginnings

April in the Human World – Qingming Brings Thoughts of Loved Ones

"Swallows return at the start of spring; pear blossoms fade as Qingming arrives." With gentle breezes and drizzling rain, the Qingming Festival of 2026 is quietly approaching. It is a beautiful time to remember the departed, get close to nature, and reflect on life. In this traditional festival full of remembrance and respect, let us explore the historical and cultural heritage behind Qingming, experience a legacy that spans thousands of years, and learn about the specific holiday arrangements for 2026.

I. The Origin of Qingming Festival

The Qingming Festival originated in the Zhou Dynasty, with a history of more than 2,500 years. Initially, Qingming was one of the 24 solar terms, marking the rise in temperature and the revival of all things. Later, Qingming gradually merged with the customs of the Cold Food Festival and the Shangsi Festival. The Cold Food Festival originated from the Spring and Autumn Period, when Duke Wen of Jin set a day of eating cold food to commemorate the loyal official Jie Zitui. As the Cold Food Festival fell only one or two days apart from Qingming, customs such as tomb sweeping and spring outings were gradually incorporated into Qingming. From the Tang Dynasty onward, tomb sweeping during Qingming was formally integrated into rituals and passed down through generations. In 2006, Qingming Festival was inscribed on the first batch of China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

II. Main Customs of Qingming Festival

1. Tomb Sweeping and Ancestor Worship

Cleaning the graves, offering sacrifices, burning incense or presenting flowers – these acts express remembrance of departed loved ones. Today, more and more people choose green methods such as flower offerings and online memorials, which not only carry forward filial piety but also protect the environment.

2. Spring Outings

During Qingming, the spring scenery is bright and the grass and trees turn green. People go out to fly kites, play on swings, and wear or plant willow branches, enjoying the vitality of spring. Planting willow branches is meant to pray for blessings and ward off evil, while flying kites symbolizes sending away misfortune and welcoming good luck.

3. Seasonal Foods

In the Jiangnan region, it is popular to eat qingtuan – green dumplings made from glutinous rice mixed with mugwort juice, filled with bean paste or lotus seed paste – fragrant, soft and sticky. In addition, the north has sanzi (fried dough twists), and the south has qingming guo (Qingming cakes); these are all characteristic foods of the festival.

III. 2026 Qingming Festival Holiday Notice from Sunny Glassware

According to the national statutory holiday arrangements and the company's actual situation, Sunny Glassware 2026 Qingming Festival holiday will be from April 4 (Saturday) to April 6 (Monday), a total of 3 days.

Work will resume on Tuesday, April 7.

Friendly reminder: The weather is changeable during Qingming. Please pay attention to traffic and fire safety when traveling for tomb sweeping. We encourage civilized and off-peak memorial activities.