清明是我国的二十四节气之一。由于二十四节气比较客观地反映了一年四季气温、降雨、物候等方面的变化，所以古代劳动人民用它安排农事活动。但是，清明作为节日，与纯粹的节气又有所不同。节气是我国物候变化、时令顺序的标志，而节日则包含着一定的风俗活动和某种纪念意义。因此，这个节日中既有祭扫新坟生别死离的悲酸泪，又有踏青游玩的欢笑声，是一个富有特色的节日。
Qingming is one of 24 solar terms. Traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars divide a year into 24 solar terms. Qīngmíng is the 5th solar term. It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 15°and ends when it reaches the longitude of 30°. It more often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 15°. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around 4 April (5 April East Asia time) and ends around 20 April.
清明，农历二十四节气之一。每年4月5日前后太阳到达黄经15°时开始；《月令七十二候集解》：“三月节，物至此时，皆以洁齐而清明矣。”故清明节总是在公历4月4日、4月5日、4月6日三天中的一天。
Each solar term can be divided into 3 pentads. They are: first pentad, second pentad and last pentad. Pentads in Chingming include:First pentad, The paulownia begins to bloom; Second pentad, Voles transform into quails; Last pentad, Rainbows begin to appear.
清明分为三候：初候，桐始华；次候，田鼠化為鴽；末候，虹始见。
Qingming has been regularly observed as a statutory public holiday in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. Its observance was reinstated as a nation wide public holiday in mainland China in 2008.
由于清明节是根据节气而定的，故清明是少数与西历大致吻合的中国传统节日。清明为台湾、中国大陆、香港等地唯一根据节气而定的休假日，在澳门则还有冬至。
Literally meaning “clear” (Qing) and “bright” (Ming), this Chinese festival falls in early spring, on the 106th day after the winter solstice. It is a “spring” festival, and it is an occasion for the whole family to leave the home and to sweep the graves of their forebears. Chinese being practical people this sweeping of the graves is given an extended period, that is, 10 days before and after Qing Ming day. Among some dialect groups a whole month is allocated.
清明节是一个纪念祖先的节日。主要的纪念仪式是扫墓，扫墓是慎终追远、郭亲睦邻及行孝的具体表现；基于上述意义，清明节因此成为华人的重要节日。 清明节是在仲春和暮春之交，也就是冬至后的106天。扫墓活动通常是在清明节的前十天或后十天。有些地域的人士的扫墓活动长达一个月。
Also known as the Grave-sweeping or Spring Remembrance, Ching Ming (“clear and bright”), is when Chinese families show their respect by visiting the graves of their ancestors to clear away weeds, touch up gravestone inscriptions and make offerings of wine and fruit.
清明时，中国阖家前往祭拜祖先，同时把祖坟修饰一下，把杂草清除。然后准备一些牺牲、酒和水果作为对祖先的祭品。
The Qingming (Pure Brightness) Festival is one of the 24 seasonal division points in China, falling on April 4-6 each year. After the festival, the temperature will rise up and rainfall increases. It is the high time for spring plowing and sowing. But the Qingming Festival is not only a seasonal point to guide farm work, it is more a festival of commemoration.The Qingming Festival sees a combination of sadness and happiness.
