The Ching Ming Festival, known in English as Tomb-sweeping Day, falls on Friday, April 4 this year. It is considered one of the most significant holidays in the territory as it is a time when the Chinese pay tribute to their deceased family members and ancestors.
As we welcome the holiday in two days, this is a list of 10 dos and don'ts you should not miss out on.
10 dos and don'ts during Ching Ming Festival:
1. Do not enter and exit ancestral homes
2. Complete tomb-sweeping before 5pm
3. Avoid visiting homes where there are ancestral tablets
4. After tomb-sweeping, it is not advisable to return home directly. Visit crowded places before you return home
5. Avoid physical pleasures and refrain from playing mahjong
6. Do not take photos or make inappropriate jokes during tomb-sweeping
7. Avoid sighing, spitting, or relieving oneself near graves
8. Do not step on graves or touch other people's burial sites
9. Refrain from calling people by their full name
10. Avoid visiting relatives and friends
Apart from the top 10 dos and don'ts, according to traditional customs, there are 10 types of individuals who should avoid tomb-sweeping. Children under the age of three and the elderly are spiritually weak, making them susceptible to disturbances from spirits and feeling unwell due to the long journey. Pregnant women, due to their reduced mobility, are also advised to steer clear of tomb-sweeping to safeguard their well-being and their unborn child from the “negative energy fields” in graveyards.
10 kinds of people to avoid tomb-sweeping:
1. Individuals preparing for marriage or newlyweds
2. Pregnant women
3. People who frequently wear red clothing
4. Children aged 0 to 3 years old
5. Individuals who are currently ill
6. Those involved in family property disputes
7. Elderly aged 80 and above
8. Individuals who frequently use perfumes
9. Individuals who recite scriptures in the morning
10. People who frequently use vulgar language
Chinese tradition has a lot of different superstitions, therefore it is better to know and observe particular aspects of these customs in order to keep a good relationship with your Chinese friends. Or, you could simply enjoy the holiday, cheers!
(Marco Lam)
