A celebration of tradition and culture at Foshan Ancestral Temple

The “Chunqiu Yuji” ceremony took place on November 4 at the Foshan Ancestral Temple in Guangdong Province. This important traditional event has deep historical roots and cultural significance.

The “Chunqiu Yuji” is the oldest official worship ceremony dedicated to Zhenwu, the God of Martial Arts, in the Pearl River Delta region. With a history spanning nearly six centuries, this event has served as a crucial cultural bridge between the government and the public in Foshan since the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Zhenwu, a highly revered deity in Chinese religion and a prominent figure in Taoism, is the central focus of this ceremony. The ancestral temple, constructed during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), was dedicated to this deity to symbolize the deep spiritual connections of the region.

This year’s worship ceremony at the temple placed a strong emphasis on preserving the rich cultural heritage of the ancestral temple. Its primary purpose was to bestow blessings upon the nation and the world, all while faithfully adhering to age-old traditions.

The elaborate ritual procession consists of nine distinct steps, starting with ceremonial guidance followed by the offering of sacrificial items, an incense-burning ceremony, the recitation of sacred texts, a libation ceremony, a solemn tribute to Zhenwu, a ceremonial dance performance, and the act of cutting the roasted pig. It concludes with a resounding cannon salute.

A village-style banquet was also held at the event, creating an atmosphere of celebration and cultural exchange. Guests from friendly cities abroad and other parts of China joined the locals at a feast. Traditional food such as “Dapencai” was enjoyed while the stage played host to captivating Cantonese opera performances.

In the evening, a spectacular parade was presented to onlookers involving a total of 51 performance acts, 11 floats, and nearly 2,000 performers from the Pearl River Delta region, the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, Foshan’s sister cities, and friendly cooperating cities. This grand parade, marked with the utmost grandeur and warmth, warmly welcomed guests from all over the world.