Around 5,000 people of Chinese descent from around the globe gathered in Xinzheng, Henan province, on Thursday to worship Huangdi, the legendary ancestor of Han Chinese also known as the Yellow Emperor.

An ancestral worship ceremony paying homage to Huangdi, or Yellow Emperor, is held Thursday in Xinzheng, central China's Henan province, on April 11, 2024. [Photo/China.org.cn]

This traditional ceremony takes place on the third day of the third month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which fell on April 11 this year. The date is believed to be Huangdi's birthday.

Huangdi is considered in Chinese mythology to be the ancestor of Han Chinese who laid foundation to Chinese civilization. In the legends, Xinzheng is known as Huangdi's hometown.

Lan Yanling, a scholar who has attended the ceremony five times, said that the event reinforces the cultural identity and pride of the Chinese civilization. "It's a tradition that resonates deeply within us and ought to be preserved and passed down," Lan said.

Zhou Naijun, an 87-year-old attendee from Shenzhen, brought his family spanning three generations to the ceremony. "I wanted my grandchildren to know where their roots lie," Zhou said. His daughter-in-law surnamed Guo added, "Understanding the origins and extensive history of our nation deepens our understanding of what it means to be Chinese."

Li Jincheng, attending for the first time from the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Union, told China.org.cn, "The ceremony is awe-inspiring, and I hope more youth from Hong Kong can come to experience this profound aspect of Chinese culture."

Taiwanese media veteran Jiang Wenbin said, "visiting the Yellow Emperor's hometown is very touching as it connects us to our roots." He said learning about the shared cultural background and the origins of surnames has been an enriching experience.

Wang Xiaopei from the Singapore Henan Association said Henan is the birthplace of the Chinese civilization. He called for people of all sectors to work together to present its culture and traditions to the outside world.

Wang Wei from Chinese Volunteer Association in Canada said he is deeply touched by the grand ceremony as well as the hospitality of people in his hometown, and that he would like to share his experience to more overseas Chinese.

For the fifth year, the event featured an online ancestral worship platform, enabling virtual participation from across the world.

After the ceremony, participants also had the opportunity to explore Henan's rich culture and learn about the socio-economic development of the Yellow Emperor's hometown in the new era.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)