What are the taboos during the Cold Food Festival?
Cold Food Festival is one of the traditional Chinese festivals, usually on the day before Qingming Festival, with a long history and rich customs. On this day, people commemorate Jie Zitui and follow some traditional taboos. The following are the taboos and precautions about the Cold Food Festival, compiled based on the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. The origin and significance of the Cold Food Festival

The Cold Food Festival originated in the Spring and Autumn Period. According to legend, it was to commemorate the loyal minister Jie Zitui of the Jin Dynasty. On this day, people ban fire and cold food to express their grief. Over time, the Cold Food Festival and Qingming Festival gradually merged, but some traditional taboos were still retained.
2. Taboos during the Cold Food Festival
The taboos of the Cold Food Festival mainly revolve around diet, activities and sacrifices. The following are common taboos:
| Taboo categories | Specific content | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| dietary taboos | No fire, no hot food | Commemorating Jie Zitui, traditional customs |
| Activities taboos | Avoid noisy and entertainment activities | Express respect for ancestors |
| Sacrifice taboos | It is not appropriate to sweep graves or burn paper | Cold Food Festival itself is a fire ban day |
| Clothing taboos | Avoid wearing bright clothes | Reflect solemnity and sorrow |
3. Modern evolution of Cold Food Festival
With the development of the times, the taboos of the Cold Food Festival have gradually faded, but there are still some areas that retain the tradition. The following are the hot topics about the Cold Food Festival on the Internet in the past 10 days:
| hot topics | Discussion popularity | Main point |
|---|---|---|
| Should fire be banned during the Cold Food Festival? | high | Young people think it can be simplified, old people stick to tradition |
| The relationship between Cold Food Festival and Qingming Festival | in | Discuss the similarities and differences between the two customs |
| Local customs of Cold Food Festival | high | Unique taboos in different regions |
| Cold food festival delicacies | in | Modern and innovative ways of serving cold food |
4. Things to note during the Cold Food Festival
1.Diet: Traditionally, fire is prohibited during the Cold Food Festival, and cold food should be given priority to, such as cold food porridge, green dumplings, etc. Modern people can adjust according to actual conditions, but avoid violating tradition too much.
2.Activities: Avoid large-scale entertainment activities, focus on quietness and solemnity, and express the memory of ancestors.
3.Sacrifice: It is not advisable to sweep graves or burn paper during the Cold Food Festival. Instead, you can offer flowers or observe silence. Tomb Sweeping Day is the official grave sweeping time.
4.Clothing: Try to choose plain-colored clothes, avoid being too bright, and reflect the solemnity of the festival.
5. The cultural significance of the Cold Food Festival
The Cold Food Festival is not only a traditional festival, but also a reflection of Chinese culture. By observing taboos, people passed down history and filial piety. In modern society, we can adjust customs appropriately, but the core spirit of awe and commemoration should not be lost.
In summary, the taboos of the Cold Food Festival reflect the ancients' respect and memory for their ancestors. Although the pace of modern life has accelerated, these traditional customs are still worth preserving and passing on.
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