Confucius’s Birthday at Jianshui Confucian Temple, Yunnan, China

Jianshui and Shiping are two places that have, through the centuries, been ‘Celebrated Towns of Literature’. Each city is home to an ancient Confucian temple (Wen Miao) that speaks of the long influence of Confucian ideology and Han Chinese culture in this area. Jianshui’s temple – one of the largest in China – was modelled after the temple in Confucius’s hometown of Qufu (Shandong province) and finished in 1285. On 28 September each year, it hosts a solemn worship ceremony honouring the Sage’s birthday, with celebrations keeping strongly to the ancient tradition.

photo and cover Dhoto credit bv 任东(云南分社y/中新社/视觉中国