The ancestor worship ceremony at the yellow emperor’s hometown to be held at the end of the month

Wen Wei Po

Hong Kong: The Yisi Year Ancestor Worship Ceremony at the Yellow Emperor’s Hometown will be held on March 31 (the third day of the third lunar month) in Xinzheng, Zhengzhou, Henan—the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor. The event will bring together representatives from various sectors across China, including those from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, overseas Chinese communities, young people, grassroots representatives, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Together, they will participate in this spiritual gathering to worship the cultural ancestor of the Chinese people and pray for national prosperity and world peace.

The tradition of worshiping the Yellow Emperor on the third day of the third lunar month dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period and has continued to this day. The theme of this year’s ceremony remains “Same Roots, Same Ancestor, Same Origin; Peace, Harmony, and Concord.” The ceremony will follow a nine-step ritual, including:

      1.      Grand ceremonial cannon salute

      2.      Floral tributes

      3.      Hand cleansing and incense offering

      4.      Collective ancestor worship

      5.      Recitation of the worship text

      6.      Singing of hymns

      7.      Ritual music and dance performance

      8.      Prayers for China’s prosperity

      9.      Harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity

This year, the ceremony will continue to include online ancestor worship and international “Worship the Yellow Emperor Together” events, integrating both virtual and in-person participation, allowing overseas Chinese to join in real-time.

At the press conference on March 18, Du Xinjun, Chairman of the Zhengzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, stated that this year’s ceremony would uphold tradition while incorporating innovations and enhancements. Notable new features include the sacred fire collection, lighting, and relay as part of the entrance ceremony. Additionally, improvements have been made to segments such as the singing of hymns, ritual dance performances, and prayers for China’s prosperity and global harmony. Experts will also provide live interpretations of Henan’s Yellow Emperor-related historical sites and recent archaeological discoveries.

On March 18, the online ancestor worship platform for the Yisi Year ceremony officially launched. With AI-powered enhancements, it offers a new digital experience and increased interactivity. Overseas Chinese worldwide can now log in via mobile devices to participate conveniently in virtual ancestor worship and prayer activities.