Ritual ceremony shines again
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The Sun was worshipped in Beijing yesterday in a revival of a traditional "ritual sacrifice" ceremony last held more than 160 years ago. |
The Sun was worshipped in Beijing yesterday in a revival of a traditional "ritual sacrifice" ceremony last held more than 160 years ago.
The ceremony was held at the Temple of Sun Park in eastern Chaoyang District, where a sacrificial altar was built for Emperor Jiajing in 1530 during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
At about 10:20 am yesterday, music from a band playing ancient instruments began. Volunteers assuming the roles of emperor and ministers walked slowly through the west gate to the altar, where the "emperor" knelt and kowtowed to the tablet of the God of Brightness, a Sun deity.
The "emperor" then offered jade objects and silk fabrics to show his respect and gratitude for the Sun.
In the meantime, 64 dancers in traditional costume danced around the altar.
The emperor and his ministers were played by volunteers from Chaoyang District, while the honor guards that flanked the procession were paramilitary police, said Zhang Xinyuan, deputy director of the Chaoyang District Cultural Center.
Hundreds of onlookers also took part in the ceremony, pressing their hands against their chests to offer prayers to the Sun.
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