二十四节气：清明 24 Solar Terms: 8 things you may not know about Clear and Bright

[Photo/Xinhua]

Willow Branches 插柳

Legend has it that Clear and Bright is one of three periods during the year in which ghosts come closest to the world of living men. Buddhists believe that willow branches will drive away unwelcome ghosts and evil spirits. Therefore, willow branches are also known as "ghost terror wood".
传说清明节是一年中鬼魂最接近人间的三个节气之一。佛家认为，柳枝可以驱赶不受欢迎的鬼魂和邪灵。因此，柳枝又被称为“鬼怖木”。

Folk proverbs also dictate customs. One proverb states that if a young lady does not wear a willow branch during the Clear and Bright period, she will soon turn old. Another says: "If one does not wear a willow, he will become a yellow dog after he dies and is reincarnated."
民间谚语也体现出节日习俗。比如，“清明不插柳，红颜变皓首”、“清明不插柳，死后变黄狗”。