英语视频畅谈欧美人文风情87：清明节的历史

　　The Chinese Qingming Festival falls on either April 4 or 5. Also known as Tomb Sweeping Festival, it is a time for families to remember and pay respects to the ancestors.

　　中国的清明节不是逢四月四日就是四月五日。也以扫墓节著称，这是个家人们纪念并凭吊祖先的时节。

　　The origin of the festival dates back to the spring and autumn period, 770 to 476 B.C. It was to honor Jie Zhi-Tui, a loyal follower of the Duke Wen of Jin state. Before he became the king, Jie cut a slice of meat from his own thigh to make soup for the starving duke. A gratified Wen promised to reward Jie, but when he became king, he forgot about Jie. Jie, seeking no gain or reward, quietly left to live in a forest with his elderly mother. When Wen realized his mistake, he tried to persuade Jie to return to the court by setting fire to the forest. But Jie and his mother died in the fire. A saddened Wen declared that no fires could be lit on that day. Thus, people would only eat cold food, and the festival was originally called Cold Food Day.

　　这节日的由来起源于西元前 770 到 476 年的春秋时分。清明节是为了要纪念介之推，晋文公的忠诚追随者。在晋文公成为王以前，介之推曾从他自己的大腿上切下一片肉来煮汤给饥饿的公子。感激的晋文公承诺要回报介之推，但在他当上王的时候，他遗忘了介之推。介之推，不求回报，悄悄地离去和他年迈的母亲住在森林里。当晋文公发现自己的错误时，他试着火烧森林来说服介之推返回宫廷。但介之推和他的母亲葬身在火海中。悲恸的晋文公宣布在那天不得生火。因此，人们只能吃冰冷的食物，而这节日原本被称作“寒食节”。

　　During the Tang Dynasty, the festival evolved into a tomb-sweeping event. By the time of the Song Dynasty, candles were also used. Today, Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to pay respects. They sweep the tomb area and clear the weeds. Then they offer food, flowers, light candles, or burn incense and paper gifts for their ancestors. The one-day festival is also known as Clear Bright Festival or Ancestor's Day.

　　唐朝期间，这节日演变成一项扫墓的活动。到宋朝时，蜡烛也被使用。如今，中国家族拜访他们祖先的坟墓以致敬。他们打扫墓区并清除杂草。接着他们供奉食物、鲜花、点燃蜡烛，或是点香和烧纸扎祭品给他们的祖先。这为期一天的节日也被称作清明节或祭祖日。