The Duality of Qingming: Sorrow and Rebirth
The Qingming Festival holds a unique, dual emotional landscape in Chinese culture. While the morning is dedicated to the solemn remembrance of ancestors through Tomb-Sweeping (扫墓), the afternoon transforms into a joyful celebration of life and nature known as Taqing (踏青, literally “Treading on the Green”).
In ancient philosophy, early April marks the moment when Yin energy retreats into the earth and Yang energy fully ascends. Nature awakens in an explosion of green shoots, blossoming peach and plum flowers, and mild, crisp breezes. After paying tribute to the departed, families cast away their grief and immerse themselves in the vibrancy of the living world.
What is “Treading on the Green”?
The term Taqing refers to seasonal spring excursions into the countryside, suburban meadows, or mountain valleys. First gaining widespread popularity during the Tang and Song Dynasties, these outings were seen as an essential physical and spiritual reset after the cold, sedentary winter months.
Ancient poets frequently romanticized this custom. As the Song Dynasty philosopher Cheng Hao (程颢) wrote in his famous poem Spring Day Occasional Poem:
“Faded clouds and a light breeze, the sun is near noon; / I follow the willows and flowers beside the front stream. / Bystanders do not understand the joy in my heart, / And think I am merely idling like a foolish youth.”
（云淡风轻近午天，傍花随柳过前川。时人不识余心乐，将谓偷闲学少年。）
Traditional Folk Games of Taqing
In ancient China, a spring outing was far more than a simple walk; it was a festive open-air sports carnival. Historically, several iconic activities accompanied Taqing:
1. Swinging (荡秋千, Dàng Qiūqiān)
Swinging was an iconic amusement during early spring, particularly cherished by unmarried women who were otherwise restricted by household etiquette. The higher one swung into the air, the more it was believed to “swing away hundred diseases” (摆脱百病) and cultivate courage and vitality.
2. Cuju (蹴鞠, Ancient Chinese Football)
Reconceived as an early ancestor of modern soccer, Cuju was a beloved outdoor sport played on grass fields during Qingming. Imperial elites and commoners alike formed teams to kick a leather ball stuffed with feathers, combining fitness with social camaraderie.
3. Tug-of-War (拔河, Báhé)
Originally developed as a military training exercise in the Spring and Autumn Period, Tug-of-War became a boisterous community game during spring festivals, symbolizing the collective pulling of Yang energy and communal strength.
4. Appreciating and Wearing Willow (折柳与戴柳)
While strolling through the countryside, people would snap tender green branches from weeping willows. Willows are exceptionally resilient trees that easily take root wherever planted, symbolizing eternal life and vitality. Women often wreathed willow twigs into their hair or pinned them to their coats to ward off evil spirits and invite springtime blessings.
Modern Spring Excursions
Today, Taqing remains one of the most cherished seasonal activities across China. Around the Qingming public holiday, city parks, botanical gardens, and scenic countryside spots are filled with families:
- Blossom Chasing: Visiting famous orchards to admire cherry blossoms, rapeseed flower fields (油菜花), and blooming peach trees.
- Spring Picnics: Spreading out blankets on fresh lawns to share seasonal snacks like Qingtuan and seasonal fruits.
- Camping & Hiking: Embracing the modern outdoor lifestyle by hiking forest trails and breathing in the rejuvenating spring air.
Through Taqing, the traditional Chinese calendar reminds us of a profound truth: we honor those who came before us best by living fully and joyfully in the beauty of the present spring.