Qing Ming is Grave Sweeping Day.  It is a day to remember the ancestors because as the English name says, you go to your ancestors' grave and clean up.  Of course, you also mark Qing Ming as a time to pray to the ancestors, eat together, light burning paper or light up firecrackers as a sign of respect. 

Tang Emperor Xuan Zong declared Qingming in 732.  The rich folk were too extravagant in honoring their  ancestors that Xuan Zong declared Qingming as the only day to respect one's ancestors. This was celebrated until the holiday was repealed in 1949. It was only very recently celebrated again, just in 2008. 

Labels: Chinese Festivals