Cold Food Festival
April 4, Friday
The Cold Food Festival is an ancient festival in East Asia (China, Korea, Vietnam), the historical predecessor of the Qingming memorial day. In currently known documents, it is mentioned in identification with the latter since the Tang Dynasty. The merging of the festivals was enshrined in an imperial edict in 732.This festival has cultural significance as a way to cool the body and spirit during the hot summer months. Cold food symbolizes harmony with nature, and is also part of health practices that help balance the energy in the body according to traditional Eastern philosophies.
These festivals often feature family or social gatherings where various cold dishes are prepared and consumed, sometimes including cold soups, vegetables, meat, fish, and other traditional foods that help people survive the heat.
Thus, the Cold Food Festival in East Asia not only refreshes physically, but also serves as an occasion to strengthen family and community ties.