I: China 清明节（Qing Ming Jie)
This year has been very special to me. From November 2025, the fire energy of the horse started. It has brought lots of business to my work and life. I had been working hard onto deal with the high demands from consultations, concerts and festival celebrations. My daily walking in the green park and meditating has helped me to balance my internal energy with the external force.
When April came, I was able to take a break and took off with my family to China. There were a few events awaiting us: a traditional Chinese wedding and Qing Ming Jie — Sweeping the tombs. Here I’d like to share the experience for Qing Ming Jie.
清明节（Qing Ming Jie) is one of the traditional Chinese festivals. It’s one of the 24 Jie Qi. It’s often on 4th to 6th of April every year. Chinese take this festival seriously. The whole country has three days off from work, all the toll roads are free of charges. During this festival, people goes to their ancestor’s tombs, to clean them and honour their family members who have passed away. Living in Australia, I haven’t been able to participate in this festival, but I made it this year.
On the 4th April it was a sunshine day. It was raining season in China, and it always adds sadness to the environment. We were so lucky to have the sunshine. My husband and son joined the activity with my relatives in China. We carried the cleaning tools including blooms, hoes and scythes. We visited my great grandparents, grand parents and my mother’s tombs. We climbed the mountain, pulled the weeds, cleaned the tombs, burned incense, offered flowers, water and fruits to each tomb. There were many other families there as well. It was a day to remember ancestors and connect to the roots of where we are from. Through this activity, we have more understanding about the nature of life.
The feng shui for the burial sites are very important for Chinese. All the sites have mountain and water. In the gentle spring, we paid tribute, honoured and showed love to ancestors. It was a blessing. We are so glad that we have done it this year.