The Tomb-Sweeping Day began with the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the tombs of emperors and generals in ancient times. Later, the people also followed suit. They worshiped their ancestors and swept their tombs on this day. It has been followed by generations and has become a fixed custom of the Chinese nation. There is also a legend about the origin of Qingming Festival. It is said that Duke Wen of Jin, Chong'er, was tired and hungry during his exile. His attendant Jie Zitui cut a piece of meat from his thigh to cook soup for Chong'er. After Jin Wen Gong came to the throne, he forgot about Jie Zitui when he awarded the ministers a reward. Later, Chong'er regretted that he burned Mianshan where Jie Zitui lived in seclusion in order to find Jie Zitui. It was found that Jie Zitui died under an old dead tree. In order to commemorate Jie Zitui, he designated this day as Qingming Festival.

Qingming Festival, also known as Outing Festival, Xingqing Festival, March Festival, Ancestor Worship Festival, etc., takes place at the turn of mid-spring and late spring. The Qingming Festival began with the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the tombs of emperors and generals in ancient times. Later, people also followed suit. They worshiped their ancestors and swept their tombs on this day. It has been followed by generations and has become a fixed custom of the Chinese nation. The Tomb-Sweeping Festival integrates natural solar terms and humanistic customs. It is the unity of the time, place and people. It fully reflects the ancestors of the Chinese nation's pursuit of the harmonious unity of heaven, earth and people, and their emphasis on adapting to the time and place and following the laws of nature. .

There is also a legend about the origin of Qingming Festival. It is said that during the Spring and Autumn Period, Chong'er, the prince of Jin Dynasty, went into exile abroad to escape persecution. During his exile, he was tired and hungry in a deserted place and could no longer stand. stand up. The ministers searched for a long time but could not find anything to eat. When everyone was extremely anxious, the minister Jie Zitui went to a secluded place, cut off a piece of meat from his own thigh, and cooked a bowl of broth for the prince to drink. , Chong'er gradually recovered his energy. When Chong'er found that the meat was cut off by Jie Zitui's own leg, he shed tears. Nineteen years later, Chong'er became the king, also known as Duke Wen of Jin in history. After he ascended the throne, Duke Wen paid heavy rewards to the officials who accompanied him in exile, but he forgot about Jie Zitui.

Many people complained about Jie Zitui and advised him to ask for rewards from the emperor. However, Jie Zitui despised those who strive for merit and reward. He packed his bags and quietly went to Mianshan with his mother to live in seclusion. After Duke Wen of Jin heard about it, he was so ashamed that he took people to invite Jie Zitui himself. However, Jie Zitui had already left home and gone to Mianshan. Mianshan Mountain has high mountains, dangerous roads and dense trees. It is not easy to find two people. Someone came up with a plan to burn Mianshan Mountain from three sides to force Jie Zitui out. The fire burned all over Mianshan, but Jie Zitui was nowhere to be seen. After the fire died, people found that Jie Zitui, who was carrying his old mother on his back, had died sitting under an old willow tree. When Duke Wen of Jin saw this, he cried. During the burial, a blood book was found in the tree hole, which read: I cut my flesh to show my loyalty to the king, and I hope that the master will always be clear. In order to commemorate Jie Zitui, Duke Wen of Jin ordered this day to be designated as the Cold Food Festival. The next year, Duke Wen of Jin led his ministers to climb a mountain to pay homage and found that the old willow tree had come back to life. He named the old willow tree the Qingming Willow and told the world that the day after the Cold Food Festival would be the Qingming Festival.