Xiangtan Confucian Temple Hosts 2026 Autum Confucius Memorial Ceremony and Academic Symposium

The 2026 Autumn Confucius Memorial Ceremony was held at the Xiangtan Confucian Temple on September 28. Jointly organized by the Biquan Academy of Xiangtan University and the Zhaotan Academy of Hunan University of Science and Technology (HNUST), the event observed traditional Shidian rites while welcoming local community groups and residents to participate for the first time. The ceremony was also featured as part of the 2026 Global Online Confucius Commemoration.

On the morning of the ceremony, the Xiangtan Confucian Temple took on a solemn atmosphere accompanied by traditional drumbeats. As the Dacheng Gate opened, university faculty, students, and community representatives—adorned in traditional Confucian caps and ceremonial robes—proceeded into the temple. Led by the chief officiant in red ceremonial dress, participants performed time-honored rituals, including welcoming the spirit of Confucius, presenting flower baskets, making ceremonial offerings, and reading sacrificial prayers. Accompanied by ancient music designated as intangible cultural heritage, the ceremony featured the Liuyi Dance (literally “Six-Row Dance”, traditionally performed by 36 dancers in six rows), alongside a collective recitation of The Analects and other ancient Chinese classics by the participants.

The autumn ceremony honoring Confucius carries a legacy of over 2,000 years, tracing back to 478 BCE. Originally an annual autumn event, it evolved into a semiannual celebration during the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Following the ceremony, an academic symposium was convened to discuss contemporary interpretations of Confucian thought and strategies for preserving Confucian temples. Scholars examined the practical application of integrating traditional Chinese culture with modern social frameworks, the preservation of the academy tradition in Hunan, and innovative approaches to moral and humanities education.

In recent years, HNUST has leveraged the cultural heritage of the Xiangtan Confucian Temple to connect academic research with cultural preservation, helping revive the official memorial ceremony after a decades-long hiatus. “We hope this annual initiative inspires greater community interest and restores Zhaotan Academy’s historic role in the educational and cultural life of Xiangtan," said Nie Zhijun, Dean of the Zhaotan Academy.

(Translated by JIN Da and GAO Xuan)