What are the best times for tomb sweeping during Qingming Festival?

The Qingming Festival is quite important to the Chinese people, and many people seem to pay more attention to cleaning the graves of their ancestors or clearing the weeds at the graves. There are many rules to follow when sweeping graves. So, what are the rules for tomb-sweeping during Qingming Festival?

What are the rules for tomb sweeping during Qingming Festival?

You can make it about a week in advance. In the past, there was a folk saying "early Qingming Festival, late 11th Festival". The earlier you commemorate your ancestors on Qingming Festival, the better. It can be done a week or even two weeks before Qingming Festival, and don't rush it all on Qingming Festival. In addition, you can also sweep the tombs within the three days before and four days after Qingming Festival, which is called "three before and four after". In some places, it is even wider, called "seven in front and eight in the back". In other words, it is possible to visit the graves seven days before or eight days after Qingming Festival.

How long in advance should we visit the graves during the Qingming Festival?

New grave:

It refers to those who have been buried for no more than 3 years; the first tomb sweeping time should be chosen on an auspicious day within 10 days before the Qingming Festival; the second tomb sweeping time should be chosen on the day before the Qingming Festival; the third tomb sweeping time should be chosen on an auspicious day within 10 days after the Qingming Festival.

Old graves:

It refers to the time for tomb sweeping at old graves that have been buried for more than three years. It can be chosen on any day within 10 days before or after the Qingming Festival, and there is no need to choose an auspicious day. After the date for tomb sweeping is selected, the specific time for tomb sweeping should be chosen at the fifth watch of the morning, that is, before the sun comes out. This is because traditional customs hold that ghosts and gods dare not come out to eat offerings before dawn.

What is the best time to visit graves during Qingming Festival?

It is best to complete the tomb sweeping before 3 pm. Generally speaking, you have to choose a good time to visit the grave, preferably when the Yang energy is stronger. Generally speaking, the best time to visit the grave is Yinshi, 5-7 o'clock. However, since most cemeteries are far away from residential areas, or even outside the cities where people live and work, it is usually not so early, but it is best to complete the tomb sweeping and worship before 3 pm.