[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".
傳說清明節(jié)是一年中鬼魂最接近人間的三個節(jié)氣之一。佛家認為，柳枝可以驅趕不受歡迎的鬼魂和邪靈。因此，柳枝又被稱為“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."
民間諺語也體現(xiàn)出節(jié)日習俗。比如，“清明不插柳，紅顏變皓首”、“清明不插柳，死后變黃狗”。