Hanshi 寒食 — Cold Food
Overview
Hanshi is observed for one to three days before Qingming, traditionally without lighting a fire and therefore with cold food. It has largely merged into the Qingming observance in modern practice.
Meaning
The day of cold food — observed without fire, immediately before Qingming.
Traditional Interpretation
The festival is the origin of the custom of not cooking on this day, and its association with Qingming is the reason the two are frequently treated as one. The classical sources treat them as distinct.
Related Concepts
FAQ
What is hanshi 寒食 — cold food in the Chinese calendar?
The day of cold food — observed without fire, immediately before Qingming. Hanshi is observed for one to three days before Qingming, traditionally without lighting a fire and therefore with cold food. It has largely merged into the Qingming observance in modern practice.
When does hanshi 寒食 — cold food fall?
Its date is set by the lunar month, so it moves against the solar calendar. The day of cold food — observed without fire, immediately before Qingming. Hanshi is the best example of a festival that has been absorbed by its neighbour — the sources are clear that it is separate, the practice almost universally merges it.
How is hanshi 寒食 — cold food read in Chinese tradition?
The festival is the origin of the custom of not cooking on this day, and its association with Qingming is the reason the two are frequently treated as one. The classical sources treat them as distinct. It is grouped under Fire (火) in the five-element system.
Explore more
Want this applied to your own chart?
The database explains the symbol. A reading connects it to your birth data — BaZi, Zi Wei, element balance, and the symbols that keep recurring.
See personalized readings →