Cold Food Festival in Jiexiu, Shanxi

Shanxi's Intangible Cultural Heritage: Cold Food Festival in Jiexiu city

The Qingming Festival has become memorable as it is originated from the Cold Food Festival, which was widely celebrated before the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD).

Traditional cultural practices around Qingming Festival

In 636 BC, Duke Wen, a ruler of the Jin State in ancient China, forbade, in commemoration of his virtuous official Jie Zitui, all households from using fire for cooking on the anniversary of Jie's death.

Culture of Cold Food Day

For Cold Food Day and Qingming Festival, ready-to-eat cold foods are popular as more people engage go out on excursions. Cold Food Day is usually a couple of days before Qingming Festival, which originally banned fire and included eating cold food.

Activities

Having Cold Food Only

In 636 BC, Duke Wen, a ruler of the Jin State in ancient China, forbade, in commemoration of his virtuous official Jie Zitui.

Planting Willows

As befits the name of the harbinger of the Qingming Festival, willows, which sprout at the advent of the Qingming, are gracefully called "Qingming willow".

Tug of War

According to legend, tug of war traces its origin to an aquatic weapon in the Spring and Autumn Period (ca the 8th- 5th century BC).

Worshipping Ancestors

With the arrival of the Qingming Festival, it is customary for Chinese people from various ethnic groups.

Playing on a Swing

A swing was initially a recreation during the Cold Food Festival for women in the royal court of ancient China.

Playing Cuju

Cuju was an ancient Chinese competitive game involving kicking a ball through an opening into a net.

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