夏初哥哥
清明祭祖（worshiping ancestors）的传统可以追溯到古代，唐朝朝廷专门在此期间设定“节假日”以供子民祭祀先祖，该传统不断延续，在现代社会也有着举足轻重的影响。Cleaning the tombs and paying respect to the dead with offerings are the two important practices to remember late relatives. Weeds around the tomb are cleared away and fresh soil is added to show care for the dead. The dead person's favorite food, wine and chopsticks are offered on their tombs, along with paper money.扫墓和献上供品对逝者表示敬意，是两种纪念逝去亲友的重要习俗。为表示对逝者的关怀，墓边的杂草被清除并盖上新鲜的土壤。逝者最喜欢的食物、酒和筷子连同纸钱一起被供奉在墓边。
虎虎生威2015
Qing Ming is a time to remember the dead and the dearly departed. More important, it is a period to honour and to pay respect to one's deceased ancestors and family members. Because it reinforces the ethic of filial piety, Qing Ming is a major Chinese festival. Literally meaning "clear" (Qing) and "bright" (Ming), this Chinese festival falls in early spring, on the 106th day after the winter solstice. It is a "spring" festival, and it is an occasion for the whole family to leave the home and to sweep the graves of their forebears. Chinese being practical people this sweeping of the graves is given an extended period, that is, 10 days before and after Qing Ming day. Among some dialect groups a whole month is allocated. ORIGINQing Ming is popularly associated with Jie Zi Zhui, who lived in Shanxi province in 600 B.C. Legend has it that Jie saved his starving lord's life by serving a piece of his own leg. When the lord succeeded in becoming the ruler of a small principality, he invited his faithful follower to join him. However, Jie declined his invitation, preferring to lead a hermit's life with his mother in the mountains. Believing that he could force Jie out by burning the mountain, the lord ordered his men to set the forest on fire. To his consternation, Jie chose to remain where he was and was burnt to death. To commemorate Jie, the lord ordered all fires in every home to be put out on the anniversary of Jie's death. Thus began the "cold food feast", a day when no food could be cooked since no fire could be lit. The "cold food" festival occurs on the eve of Qing Ming and is often considered as part of the Qing Ming festival. As time passes, the Qing Ming festival replaced the "cold food" festival. Whatever practice is observed，the basic observation of Qing Ming is to remember one's elders by making a special effort to visit their graves, ashes or ancestral tablets. To make the visit even more meaningful, some time should be spent to remind the younger members of the family of the lives and contributions of their ancestors, and the story of Jie Zi Zhui who choose death over capitulation.
大宝儿0619
sacrifice [ˈsækrifais]n.牺牲, 舍身His parents made a lot of sacrifices to make sure he got a good education.他的父母为确保他得到良好的教育而作了很多牺牲。献祭, 供奉Before the battle, the commanders ordered the sacrifice of two bullocks to the god of war.打仗之前, 指挥官下令给战神供奉两只小公牛。祭品They killed a sheep as a sacrifice.他们宰了一只羊作为祭品。vt. & vi.献祭The ancient Greeks sacrificed lambs or calves before engaging in battle.古希腊人在打仗前用羊和小牛作祭品。vt.牺牲, 献出Jacelin sacrificed his life to save the child from the fire.杰斯林牺牲自己的生命把孩子从火中救了出来。
