刘侗、于奕正《帝京景物略  清明节》英译

刘侗、于奕正《帝京景物略 清明节》英译

三月清明日，男女扫墓，担提尊榼，轿马后挂楮锭，粲粲然满道也。拜者、酹者、哭者、为墓除草填土者，焚楮锭次，以纸钱置坟头……哭罢，不归也，趋芳草，择园圃，列坐尽醉。有歌者苦笑无端，哀往而乐回也。是日簪柳，游高粱桥，曰踏青，多四方客未归者，祭扫日感念出游。

---- 明/刘侗、于奕正 《帝京景物略》

The Clear Brightness Festival1

On a day in the third month of the lunar year (usually April 5 by the solar calendar), people sweep their ancestral tombs. They bring wine and food in baskets or on bamboo poles resting on their shoulders. Some travel on sedan-chairs or in carriages aglitter with strings of paper ingots2, on roads crowded with people. They kowtow and pour libations at the tombs. Then they weed and add fresh soil to the tombs. Afterwards, they burn the strings of paper ingots and place coin-shaped pieces of paper on top of the graves as an offering to the dead. After weeping, instead of leaving, they find a pleasant place with trees and flowers to sit down and drink to their hearts’ content. Some sing, laugh or cry for no reason. Though they go out sad, they return happy. On this day, people wear willows in their hair and visit the Sorghum Bridge3. This custom is called “walking on the green”4. From far and near, many come and do not think of going home early because they make this excuse to enjoy an outing.

---- Liu Tong & Yu Yizheng (Ming Dynasty): Scenery and Events in the Capital   

1) The Clear Brightness Festival: usually falls on April 5th of the solar calendar. It is a time for people to visit and clean their ancestral tombs, to make excursions in the countryside, to put on willow branches and eat dumplings specially made for the occasion.

2) paper ingots: joss paper made of tinfoil and paper, folded in the shape of ingots, the burning of which is believed to transmit wealth to one’s ancestors.

3) Sorghum Bridge: located in the western suburb of Beijing, known for its beautiful scenery.

4) walking on the green: the practice of taking excursions in the countryside in spring when the hills and plains are green.

（姚红 译）