Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) Lesson: Qingming Festival

The Qingming festival also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day in English is a traditional Chinese festival observed by ethnic Chinese in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Panama. It falls on 5 April.

Qing Ming is not an official public holiday, but people will often take annual leave to participate in family ceremonial activities.

It can be food items, wine, paper crafts, imitation gold bars or paper money, incense sticks, or chopsticks. Whatever is brought, it is supposed to show respect for the dead and is believed by some to help them have all necessaries in the next life.

Originally, Qing Ming was kept by the rulers of the Zhou Dynasty in China. It was a ritual performed only in ancestor-temples. Only later, during the Han Dynasty, did Qing Ming become something commoners took part in at their familial grave sites. Today, however, there are still temples that perform Qing Ming rituals as well, and it is thought that these rituals can transfer “merit” to the dead to help them have a beneficial rebirth, that is, reincarnation.

Qing Ming creates a lot of shopping activity and traffic congestion in Singapore. It’s wise not to stay out late. We don’t take picture at cemetery and also don’t go visiting friend or distant relatives after that.

Learn & Practice SgSL Qingming Festival Words

Here are SgSL vocabulary words related to Qingming Festival  for you to learn and practice the signs. Have a great fun!

• Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day)
• Zhou Dynasty
• Chinese Festival
• Chinese People
• Ancestor Temple
• Show Respect for Ancestors
• Traditional Food Offering
• Cleaning & Sweeping Tombs
• Imitation Gold Bars, Paper Money, Joss Sticks & Paper Crafts
• Private Family Celebration
• Reincarnation
• Cemetery

Check out the other video on Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) Chinese New Year Customs in Singapore.

Follow Wendy Tay on the following social media platforms.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendytay.sg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendytay.sg