清明节应该做哪些事情?

清明时节天气转暖，大地回春，万物复苏，一片生机盎然，家家门口插柳条，祭扫坟墓和郊外踏青。对于这些习俗可能你并不陌生，但如果要你用英语讲、你又知道多少呢？

清明节风俗
　　每年的公历四月五日前后为清明节，是二十四节气之一。今年的清明节是4月5日。在二十四个节气中，既是节气又是节日的只有清明。清明节是我国传统节日，也是最重要的祭祀节日。

　　按照旧的习俗，祭祀(扫墓)时，人们要携带酒食果品、纸钱等物品到墓地，将食物供祭在亲人墓前，再将纸钱焚化，为坟墓培上新土，折几枝嫩绿的新枝插在坟上，然后叩头行礼祭拜，最后吃掉酒食回家。

　　清明节，又叫踏青节，正是春光明媚草木吐绿的时节，也正是人们春游的好时候，所以古人有清明踏青，并开展一系列体育活动的的习俗。直到今天，清明节祭拜祖先，悼念已逝的亲人的习俗仍很盛行。

　　今天，小编就带大家一起阅读一篇关于清明习俗的英语文章。在阅读的过程中一起学习关于清明节的地道表达。

　　Celebrated two weeks after the vernal equinox(24节气之一的春分)， Tomb Sweeping Day is one of the few traditional Chinese holidays that follows the lunar calendar(lunar calendar，意为农历、阴历)--typically falling on April 4, 5, or 6. Its Chinese name "Qing Ming" literally means "Clear Brightness," hinting at its importance as a celebration of Spring. Similar to the spring festivals of other cultures, Tomb Sweeping Day celebrates the rebirth of nature, while marking the beginning of the planting season and other outdoor activities。

　　Qing Ming Jie in Ancient Times

　　古代的清明节

　　In ancient times, people celebrated Qing Ming Jie with dancing, singing, picnics, and kite flying. Colored boiled eggs(原来古代中国的清明节和西方复活节一样有彩蛋……小编只能感叹历史惊人的相似了……) would be broken to symbolize the opening of life. In the capital, the Emperor would plant trees on the palace grounds to celebrate the renewing nature of spring. In the villages, young men and women would court each other。

　　The Tomb Sweeping Day as Celebrated Today