The difference between the Zhongyuan Festival and the Qingming Festival Zhongyuan Festival and the Qingming Festival are completely two different concepts

What is the difference between the Ghost Festival and the Qingming Festival? We all know that the Ghost Festival and Qingming Festival are both traditional Chinese festivals, and both are the most important sacrificial festivals in China. So what are the similarities and differences between the Ghost Festival and the Qingming Festival? Next, please take a look at the relevant content about the Ghost Festival and Tomb-Sweeping Day.

The difference between Zhongyuan Festival and Qingming Festival

Different times and origins

1. The Zhongyuan Festival is also called the "Ghost Festival" and "Mid-July Festival". It is called the Yulan Festival in Buddhism and falls on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month every year. The Zhongyuan Festival originated in the Northern and Southern Dynasties during the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang. Its history should be rooted in Buddhism, originating from the Buddhist story of "Mulian saving his mother". The Zhongyuan Festival developed from the Buddhist Ullambana Festival.

2. Qingming Festival is also called the outing festival. It is held at the turn of mid-spring and late spring, which is the 108th day after the winter solstice. According to the Gregorian calendar, Qingming Festival is between April 4th and 6th every year. The traditional Qingming Festival began around the Zhou Dynasty and has a history of more than 2,500 years.

Different objects of worship

1. Zhongyuan Festival: From ancient times to the present, the objects of worship during the Zhongyuan Festival have evolved from offering sacrifices to fields and ancestors to liberating "homeless ghosts". Therefore, in some places, July is also called the "Ghost Month" and memorial ceremonies are required, so the "Mid-July" has evolved into the "Ghost Sending Away Festival". Buddhists hold a grand "Yulanpen Festival" every year. Taoism also holds the "Zhongyuan Festival" on this day, offering food and burning ghost paper to give the homeless souls a full meal.

2. Qingming Festival: Qingming Festival is a traditional festival for ancestor worship, during which tomb sweeping is an activity. Qingming Festival is a day for descendants to remember their ancestors and offer sacrifices to them. Most filial sons and grandchildren will go to cemeteries, crematoriums or columbariums to perform worship ceremonies to express their grief, remembrance and nostalgia for their ancestors.