英語視頻暢談歐美人文風情87：清明節(jié)的歷史

　　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.

　　中國的清明節(jié)不是逢四月四日就是四月五日。也以掃墓節(jié)著稱，這是個家人們紀念并憑吊祖先的時節(jié)。

　　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.

　　這節(jié)日的由來起源于西元前 770 到 476 年的春秋時分。清明節(jié)是為了要紀念介之推，晉文公的忠誠追隨者。在晉文公成為王以前，介之推曾從他自己的大腿上切下一片肉來煮湯給饑餓的公子。感激的晉文公承諾要回報介之推，但在他當上王的時候，他遺忘了介之推。介之推，不求回報，悄悄地離去和他年邁的母親住在森林里。當晉文公發(fā)現(xiàn)自己的錯誤時，他試著火燒森林來說服介之推返回宮廷。但介之推和他的母親葬身在火海中。悲慟的晉文公宣布在那天不得生火。因此，人們只能吃冰冷的食物，而這節(jié)日原本被稱作“寒食節(jié)”。

　　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.

　　唐朝期間，這節(jié)日演變成一項掃墓的活動。到宋朝時，蠟燭也被使用。如今，中國家族拜訪他們祖先的墳墓以致敬。他們打掃墓區(qū)并清除雜草。接著他們供奉食物、鮮花、點燃蠟燭，或是點香和燒紙扎祭品給他們的祖先。這為期一天的節(jié)日也被稱作清明節(jié)或祭祖日。