Celebrated two weeks after the vernal equinox, Tomb Sweeping Day is one of the few traditional Chinese holidays that follows the solar calendar-- typically falling on April 4, 5, or 6. Similar to the spring festivals of other cultures, Tomb Sweeping Day celebrates the rebirth of nature, while marking the beginning of the planting season and other outdoor activities. In ancient times, people celebrated Qing Ming Jie with dancing, singing, picnics, and kite flying. Colored boiled eggs would be broken to symbolize the opening of life. With the passing of time, this celebration of life became a day to the honor past ancestors. Following folk religion, the Chinese believed that the spirits of deceased ancestors looked after the family. Sacrifices of food and spirit money could keep them happy, and the family would prosper through good harvests and more children. Today, Chinese visit their family graves to tend to any underbrush that has grown. Weeds are pulled, and dirt swept away, and the family will set out offerings of food and spirit money. They also set off firecrackers before the tombs.

Yesterday Changsha saw the first peak of tomb visiting and ancestor worshipping with the approaching of the traditional Qingming Festival or Tomb Sweeping Day. The civil affairs departments suggested people should avoid the tomb sweeping peak. Eight cemeteries in Changsha city with joint efforts called for green funeral and interment. Many locals replace firecrackers with flowers. In one of the eight cemeteries, the sons and daughters of the deceased Wu Jianguo played traditional Chinese music through a laptop to honor their father who died three years ago. They said their father was versatile and fond of music in particular. Upon the Tomb Sweeping Day, exploding firecrackers is specifically prohibited in many cemeteries. That's why the new form of sacrifice through music appears.