Grand ceremony marks 2,567th birthday of Confucius

The ceremony host Zhang Wenxing gives ritual orders. [Photo by He Keyao/ chinadaily.com.cn]

A grand traditional ceremony was held Wednesday in Beijing to mark the 2,567th birthday of Chinese ancient Sage Confucius.

The event took place at the Beijing Confucian Temple and the Imperial College, with more than 300 people from all walks of life attending the function. Traditional rites, such as "Three Tribute" (San Xian Li), "Four Bowing Etiquette"(Si Bai Li) and "Eight-Row Dance" (Ba Yi Wu), were practiced during the ceremony.

"The ceremonial sense evokes worship and respect," said Ji Jiejing, head of Chengxian Sinology Institute, who organized the event. "Through ceremonies like this, Chinese traditional culture is planted in people's heart so that it can be advanced to our next generation."

Memorial ceremony of Confucius was one of the biggest national events in ancient times. Confucius (BC551-479), a well-known Chinese ideologist and educationist, was the founder of Confucian school that has spread across the world.