joozone editor's note: qing ming is a time to remember the dead and the dearly departed. more important, it is a period to honour and to pay respect to one's deceased ancestors and family members. because it reinforces the ethic *of filial piety, qing ming is a major chinese festival.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.