Qingming: Dos and don’ts of 'tomb sweeping' day for the Chinese

The transition period between Spring/Vernal Equinox and Rain Grain is a suitable time to observe Qingming. — Filepic

Have you heard that you must take a bunch of jingling keys with you to Qingming prayers? Has anyone told you to visit the cemetery with coins in your pockets? It's believed that the keys and coins will help you find your way home, so that you don’t get lost or stranded.

Above all, the belief is that you must first worship the Earth Deity (Tai Pak Kung in Cantonese) before making offerings to the dearly departed. If you fail to do so, you will have trouble finding your forebearers’ graves.