中華民族四大傳統節日（春節、清明節、端午節、中秋節）之一，是中國傳統歲時體系中唯一與節氣合一的節日，通常在4月4或5或6日。唐以前，清明主要作為二十四節氣之一，反映自然時節的變化，與農事息息相關。唐宋以后，清明節取代寒食節而成為節日，寒食節原有的祭祖掃墓、吃冷食等成為清明節俗的內容。此時萬物生氣旺盛，人們順應季節的變化，又有郊游踏青、插柳、放風箏、蕩秋千等活動。時至今日，清明仍是中國人生活中具有特殊意義的節日。2006年5月20日，經國務院批準，清明節被列入中國第一批國家級非物質文化遺產名錄。
It is one of the four major traditional festivals, namely, the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, that are celebrated by the Chinese. It is the only Chinese festival which occurs on one of the solar terms of the traditional calendar, usually on April 4, 5 or 6. Prior to the Tang Dynasty, Qingming functioned primarily as one of the 24 solar terms that reflected natural changes of seasons and were closely associated with timing of agricultural activities. After the Tang and Song dynasties, Qingming took the place of the Hanshi (“Cold Food”) Festival, and the practices of sweeping ancestral graves and eating cold food became prominent features of the Qingming Festival. At this time of year, with the coming of spring, all living things are bursting with vitality, and people go on country outings, plant willows, fly kites and play on swings. Today, Qingming has remained a festival of special significance to the Chinese. On May 20, 2006, it was put on the first list of national-level intangible cultural heritages by the Chinese government.
談到清明節，有點歷史知識的人，都會聯想到歷史人物介子椎。據歷史記載，在兩千多年以前的春秋時代，晉國公子重耳逃亡在外，生活艱苦，跟隨他的介子椎不惜從自己的腿上割下一塊肉讓他充饑。后來，重耳回到晉國，作了國君（即晉文公，春秋五霸之一），大事封賞所有跟隨他流亡在外的隨從，惟獨介子椎拒絕接受封賞，他帶了母親隱居綿山。
Qing Ming is popularly associated with Jie Zi Zhui, who lived in Shanxi province in 600 B.C. Legend has it that Jie saved his starving lord's life by serving a piece of his own leg. When the lord succeeded in becoming the ruler of a small principality, he invited his faithful follower to join him. However, Jie declined his invitation, preferring to lead a hermit's life with his mother in the mountains.
晉文公無計可施，只好放火燒山，他想，介子椎孝順母親，一定會帶著老母出來。誰知這場大火卻把介子椎母子燒死了。為了紀念介子椎，晉文公下令每年的這一天，禁止生火，家家戶戶只能吃生冷的食物，這就是寒食節的來源。
Believing that he could force Jie out by burning the mountain, the lord ordered his men to set the forest on fire. To his consternation, Jie chose to remain where he was and was burnt to death. To commemorate Jie, the lord ordered all fires in every home to be put out on the anniversary of Jie's death. Thus began the "cold food feast", a day when no food could be cooked since no fire could be lit.
寒食節是在清明節的前一天，古人常把寒食節的活動延續到清明，久而久之，清明取代了寒食節。拜介子椎的習俗也變成了清明掃墓的習俗了。無論以何種形式紀念，為了使紀念祖先的儀式更有意義，我們應該讓年輕一代的家庭成員了解先人過去的奮斗歷史，當然，還要學習介子椎寧死不屈的氣節。
The "cold food" festival occurs on the eve of Qing Ming and is often considered as part of the Qing Ming festival. As time passes, the Qing Ming festival replaced the "cold food" festival. Whatever practice is observed，the basic observation of Qing Ming is to remember one's elders by making a special effort to visit their graves, ashes or ancestral tablets. To make the visit even more meaningful, some time should be spent to remind the younger members of the family of the lives and contributions of their ancestors, and the story of Jie Zi Zhui who choose death over capitulation.
清明時節雨紛紛，路上行人欲斷魂。借問酒家何處有？牧童遙指杏花村。
A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day
The mourner's heart is going to break on his way.
Where can a wineshop be found to drown his sad hours?
A cowherd points to a cot 'mid apricot flowers.
It drizzles thick and fast on the Mourning Day,
The mourner travels with his heart lost in dismay.
When asked for a wineshop to kill his gloomy time,
A cowboy points at Almond Hamlet far away.
The ceaseless drizzle drips all the dismal day,
So broken-hearted fares the traveler on the way.
When asked where could be found at avern bower,
Acow boy points to yonder village of the apricot flower.
It drizzles endless during the rainy season in spring,
Travelers along the road look gloomy and miserable.
When I ask a shepherd boy where I can find a tavern,
He points at a distant hamlet nestling amidst apricot blossoms.
It drizzles thick and fast on the Pure Brightness Day,
I travel with my heart lost in dismay.
"Is there a public house somewhere, cowboy?"
He points at Apricot Village faraway.
The rain falls thick and fast on All Souls' Day,
The men and women sadly move along the way.
They ask where wineshops can be found or where to rest ----
And there the herdboy's fingers Almond-Town suggest.
Upon theClear-and-Bright Feast of spring, the rain drizzleth down in spray.
Pedestrians on countryside ways, in gloom are pinning away.
When asked "Where a tavern fair for rest, is hereabouts to befound",
The shepherd boy the Apricot Bloom Vill, doth point to afar and say.
Green rice ball 青團
People in the Jiangnan region often eat this kind of greencolored balls made from glutinous rice on Tomb Sweeping Day. The green color isfrom the juice of brome grass that is added in the rice.
江南地區的人們經常在清明節食用這種由糯米制成的綠色團子。由于糯米中混合雀麥草汁，所以團子呈綠色。
San zi 馓子
In both Northern and Southern China, it is a tradition to eatsan zi, or fried dough twist, on Tomb Sweeping Day. The differences between sanzi made by Northern and Southern people lie in sizes and materials. The formerone is larger, often made from wheat and the latter is finer and made fromrice.
在中國，無論是北方還是南方，都有清明食用馓子（通過油炸面粉制成）的傳統。差別在于北方馓子以麥面為主料，體積較大；而南方馓子則以米面為主料，更為精細。
Thin pancake 薄餅
People in Xiamen in Fujian province often have thin pancakes onTomb Sweeping Day. Dried seaweed, omelette, veggies and chili sauce are addedin the pancakes to enhance the flavor.
福建廈門的人在清明節時常常食用薄煎餅。薄餅中加入紫菜、煎蛋、蔬菜和辣椒醬，會更加美味。
