By outdoor-nature-child.com In Qufu, Shandong, known as the birthplace of Confucius, a modern enlightenment ceremony was recently held at the Nishan Sacred Site University Hall. Over a hundred children donned traditional Han clothing, standing by their desks as they practiced the age-old greeting “gongshou.” Their teachers smiled warmly, dipping brushes in vermilion to mark a dot on each child’s forehead.
This event was a contemporary adaptation of the traditional Chinese initiation ceremony called “pomo,” which introduces young ones to the fundamentals of literacy and etiquette. During the ceremony, a mentor shares essential life principles, participants pay tribute to a statue of Confucius, and the children embark on their academic journeys.
Wang Yu, a guide at Nishan, noted that in recent years, numerous schools have organized trips for students to engage with traditional culture, creating modern versions of the initiation ceremony. The large drum present at the ceremony symbolizes the “beating of the drum to announce one’s ambitions,” urging participants to identify and embrace their aspirations.
Qufu, famous for its five peaks and the convergence of rivers, not only serves as Confucius’s birthplace but has also evolved into a center for Confucian cultural experiences. The Nishan Sacred Site has transformed into a comprehensive cultural destination, drawing many visitors.
Within the Nishan Sacred Site University Hall, the five core themes of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust are prominently featured. The vibrant traditional architecture is adorned with five thematic murals titled “Ritual Music of Confucianism,” illustrating various rites, including initiation, apprenticeship, coming-of-age, marriage, and communal drinking rituals.
Wang explained that the theme of the initiation rite introduces participants to “Ritual Music of Confucianism,” highlighting a pathway from nature to society and, ultimately, to the individual. The journey begins with a child’s birth, transitions to learning characters on the ground, and progresses to reading wooden and bamboo texts, culminating in writing essays and poetry.
Song Lilin, deputy director of the Confucius Culture Research Institute at Qufu Normal University, discussed the historical importance of rituals in Chinese society, tracing back to the Zhou Dynasty’s establishment of rites and Confucius’ incorporation of humanism into these traditions. Rituals represent order, respect, and education, evolving into a way of life for the Chinese people.
During my visit, I noted the prevalence of the “gongshou” gesture in both activities and artwork throughout the Sacred Site. Song elaborated on “gongshou,” or the respectful bow, stating it is an ancient greeting. The act comprises various degrees of bowing, signifying different levels of respect depending on how deeply one bows.
“The higher the bow, the greater the respect,” he remarked, explaining the distinctions between joyous bows and those of mourning, as well as the specific hand positions for men and women.
Visitors are often awed by the towering 72-meter statue of Confucius, the largest of its kind in the world. This iconic figure stands prominently at Nishan, characterized by its warm expression and approachable stance, with hands crossed over his chest in a gesture of greeting. Wang indicated that this pose is considered a “Confucius exclusive,” potentially derived from ancient sacrificial hand positions.
“His demeanor is dignified yet gentle; his words carry authority,” Song commented. The statue’s design subtly communicates humility and grace.
As the 2024 China International Confucius Cultural Festival approaches, the statue embodies the event’s theme, “Dialogue with Confucius and Mutual Learning Between Civilizations.” During this period, the site anticipates an influx of visitors eager to pay their respects to the sage, resonating with the sentiment that “it’s a joy to have friends come from afar.”