Tainan City's 115th Annual Autumn Festival held a memorial ceremony for Confucius, the most holy master of Dacheng. Huang Weizhe served as the official presenter.

The ceremony started with elegant music and Liuyi dance, and various rituals were completed according to ancient rituals. (Provided by Tainan City Government)

Tainan City's 115th Annual Autumn Festival held a memorial ceremony for Confucius, the most saintly teacher, in the early morning of today (28th) at the Confucius Temple. Tainan Mayor and Chairman of the Tainan City Confucius Temple Cultural Foundation Huang Weizhe served as the main presenter. The ceremony followed ancient rituals to express respect for Confucius and the spirit of teaching. This year, the "pulling the ox hair" ceremony was changed to presenting wisdom pens, wisdom bags and wisdom cakes.

The ceremony for worshiping Confucius follows the tradition of Shenzuo. It first worships the ancestor of Confucius at the Chongsheng Temple, and then holds a memorial ceremony at the Dacheng Hall. The ceremony begins with elegant music and Liuyi dance. Various rituals are completed according to ancient rituals, and the Tainan Confucius Temple's culture of worshiping Confucius and the spirit of respecting teachers and respecting teachers are passed down.

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Huang Weizhe said that the Confucius Memorial Ceremony held on Teachers' Day every September 28 is an important ceremony for inheriting culture and respecting teachers. This year is the last time he will host the Autumn Ceremony as mayor during his tenure. However, this tradition should not be interrupted due to the handover of the mayor. He looks forward to its continued inheritance in the future. The Confucius Memorial Ceremony at Tainan Confucius Temple follows traditional rituals. In addition to preserving culture, he also hopes to let more citizens understand the origin and significance of the ceremony, conveying reverence for Confucius and respect for education.

In response to recent discussions from all walks of life on whether animal sacrifices in ceremonies should be reduced or eliminated, Huang Weizhe also quoted the spirit of the Analects of Confucius, "You love its sheep, I love its rituals." Traditional rituals have their own history, and future practices can be discussed and decided by the public; the most important thing is to continue the cultural connotation and spirit of worshiping Confucius, so that the tradition can continue to be passed on in different eras.

Mayor Huang Weizhe served as the official presenter and performed various ceremonies in accordance with ancient rituals. (Provided by Tainan City Government)

The whole ceremony of the Dacheng Hall Sacrifice lasted about 1 hour. (Provided by Tainan City Government)