The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Clear and Bright, the 5th solar term, starts this year on Apr 4.

中国传统农历将一年分为24个节气。清明是第5个节气，今年始于4月4日。

Of all the 24 solar terms, Clear and Bright is the only one whose first day is also a traditional Chinese festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day. The words “clear” and “bright” describe the weather during this period. Temperatures begin to rise and rainfall increases, making it a crucial time for plowing and sowing in the spring.

在所有的24个节气中，清明是唯一一个第一天也是中国传统节日清明节的节气。在这一期间，“清”和“明”形容天气。温度开始上升，降水增加，使得清明成为了春天耕种和播种的关键时间。

Here are 7 things you may not know about Clear and Bright.

这里是关于清明你可能不知道的7件事情。

Worshiping Ancestors

祭祖

Clear and Bright is a period in which Chinese people honor nature and the ancestors of the Chinese nation. The worship of nature and ancestors can be traced to ancient times, and still matters a lot in modern society.

清明是中国人纪念大自然和中华民族祖先的时候。这可追溯至古代，在现代社会中依旧十分重要。

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.

扫墓和用贡品致敬逝者是纪念已故亲人的两项重要做法。除去坟墓周围的杂草和添上新土是向逝者致以关心。

The dead person’s favorite food, wine and chopsticks are offered on their tombs, along with paper money. These sacrifices are all burned in the hope that the deceased will not lack food and money in the afterlife.

逝者最喜欢的食物、酒、筷子以及冥币会被贡在他们的坟墓上。这些贡品都会被烧掉，希望逝者在来生不愁吃、不愁钱。

Willow Branches

柳枝

Legend has it that Clear and Bright is one of three periods during the year in which ghosts come closest to the world of living men. Buddhists believe that willow branches will drive away unwelcome ghosts and evil spirits.

传说清明是一年当中百鬼最为接近凡间活人的三个时期之一。佛教相信，柳枝会赶走不受欢迎的鬼怪和邪灵。

Spring Outings

踏青

Not only is it a period for commemorating the dead, it is also time for people to go out and enjoy nature.

清明不仅是纪念逝者的时候，还是人们外出享受自然的时候。

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. This custom can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period.

随着树木变绿，百花盛开，阳光明媚，万物复苏，清明成了欣赏自然之美的绝佳时候。这一传统可以追溯至春秋战国时期。

Strolling outside in spring adds joy to life and promotes a healthy body and mind.

春游给生活带来快乐，同时有益于身心。

Flying Kites

放风筝

Flying kites is an activity favored by many Chinese during Tomb-Sweeping Day. Kites are not only flown during the day time but also in the evening. Little lanterns are tied to the kite or to the kitestring. And when the kites are flying in the sky, the lanterns look like twinkling stars at night. What makes flying kites during this day special is that people cut the string while the kite is in the sky to let it fly free. It is said this brings good luck and that diseases can be chased away by doing this.

放风筝是很多中国人清明节期间喜欢的一项活动。人们不仅在白天放风筝还在晚上放风筝。风筝或者是风筝线上会被系上小灯笼。当风筝在天空飞翔时，灯笼在夜间看起来就像是一闪一闪的星星。使得白天放风筝特殊的是人们在风筝在天空时剪断风筝线让它自由飞翔。据说，这样做会带来好运和驱赶疾病。

Cold Food Festival

寒食节

The Cold Food Festival or Hanshi Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated for one day before Tomb-Sweeping Day. On that day, making fire is taboo and only cold food is available.

寒食节是清明节前一天的的传统中国节日。在这一天，生火是禁忌，只能吃寒食。

Cuju

蹴鞠

Cuju is an interesting game played during this period. Ju is a ball made of leather with hairs plugged in it. Legend has it that the Yellow Emperor first invented it for training warriors. Later, Cu Ju was used by people to build up their bodies when they were unable to eat hot food during the Cold Food Festival.

蹴鞠是这段时期一项有意思的运动。鞠是一种皮球，球皮用皮革做成，球内用毛塞紧。相传是黄帝发明的，目的是用来训练武士。随后，人们在寒食节不能吃热食物时用蹴鞠锻炼身体。

Eating Eggs

吃鸡蛋

In many parts of China, eating eggs during Tomb-Sweeping Day is as important as eating moon cakes at Mid-Autumn Festival. The Chinese folk belief is that eating an egg on Tomb-Sweeping Day will bring good health all year. In China, this custom has lasted for thousands of years.

在中国很多地方，清明节期间吃鸡蛋的重要性等同于中秋节期间吃月饼。中国人相信清明节吃一个鸡蛋会为全年带来健康。在中国，这一传统已经持续了几千年了。