Sanya hosts '1st writing ceremony' at China's southernmost Confucius Temple

Sanya hosts the first writing ceremony at Yazhou Confucius Temple on Aug 27. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

On Aug 27, Sanya hosted the first writing ceremony at Yazhou Confucius Temple. This traditional ceremony marks children's formal entry into education.

Nearly 100 first-grade students participated in the event, dressing nicely, reciting classics, and having their foreheads marked with red dots.

Other rituals included calligraphy writing for the first time, beating drums to signify ambition, and bowing in respect. These practices emphasize moral values and respect for knowledge.

The temple, China's southernmost Confucius Temple, has hosted this ceremony since 2016. It has become a celebrated cultural tradition in Sanya.

A supporting art competition received 2,188 painting and calligraphy works, with winning entries now being exhibited across the city.

Local experts and outstanding students also took part in the ceremony, helping out with the forehead marking ritual.

Organizers are applying the event for intangible cultural heritage status, which will help preserve and promote the tradition.

The event attracted many residents and received positive feedback, successfully promoting traditional culture to the wider community.