欧美人文风情第86篇:清明节的历史

 The Chinese Qingming Festival falls on either April 4 or 5. 中国的清明节不是逢四月四日就是四月五日。

Also known as Tomb Sweeping¹ Festival, it is a time for families to remember and pay respects to the ancestors. 也以扫墓节著称，这是个家人们纪念并凭吊祖先的时节。

The origin of the festival dates back to the spring and autumn period, 770 to 476 B.C. 这节日的由来起源于西元前 770 到 476 年的春秋时分。

It was to honor Jie Zhi-Tui, a loyal follower² of the Duke Wen of Jin state. 清明节是为了要纪念介之推，晋文公的忠诚追随者。

Before he became the king, Jie cut a slice of meat from his own thigh³ to make soup for the starving duke. 在晋文公成为王以前，介之推曾从他自己的大腿上切下一片肉来煮汤给饥饿的公子。

A gratified Wen promised to reward Jie, but when he became king, he forgot about Jie. 感激的晋文公承诺要回报介之推，但在他当上王的时候，他遗忘了介之推。

Jie, seeking no gain or reward, quietly left to live in a forest with his elderly mother. 介之推，不求回报，悄悄地离去和他年迈的母亲住在森林里。

When Wen realized his mistake, he tried to persuade Jie to return to the court by setting fire to the forest. 当晋文公发现自己的错误时，他试着火烧森林来说服介之推返回宫廷。

But Jie and his mother died in the fire. 但介之推和他的母亲葬身在火海中。

A saddened Wen declared that no fires could be lit on that day. 悲恸的晋文公宣布在那天不得生火。

Thus, people would only eat cold food, and the festival was originally called Cold Food Day. 因此，人们只能吃冰冷的食物，而这节日原本被称作“寒食节”。

During the Tang Dynasty, the festival evolved into a tomb-sweeping event. 唐朝期间，这节日演变成一项扫墓的活动。

By the time of the Song Dynasty, candles were also used. 到宋朝时，蜡烛也被使用。

Today, Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to pay respects. 如今，中国家族拜访他们祖先的坟墓以致敬。

They sweep the tomb area and clear the weeds. 他们打扫墓区并清除杂草。

Then they offer food, flowers, light candles, or burn incense⁴ and paper gifts for their ancestors. 接着他们供奉食物、鲜花、点燃蜡烛，或是点香和烧纸扎祭品给他们的祖先。

The one-day festival is also known as Clear Bright Festival or Ancestor's Day. 这为期一天的节日也被称作清明节或祭祖日。

 

1 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

2 follower   

n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒

参考例句：

• He is a faithful follower of his home football team.他是他家乡足球队的忠实拥护者。
• Alexander is a pious follower of the faith.亚历山大是个虔诚的信徒。

3 thigh   

n.大腿；股骨

参考例句：

• He is suffering from a strained thigh muscle.他的大腿肌肉拉伤了，疼得很。
• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。

4 incense   

v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气

参考例句：

• This proposal will incense conservation campaigners.这项提议会激怒环保人士。
• In summer,they usually burn some coil incense to keep away the mosquitoes.夏天他们通常点香驱蚊。