Dujiangyan holds traditional drinking ceremony

The Confucian temple of Dujiangyan held a wine-drinking ceremony, steeped in tradition, on Sunday, the Double Ninth Festival in the China's Lunar calendar.

The community wine-drinking ceremony is an ancient tradition that dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC).

The ceremony, though held in the style of a banquet, aims to advocate the Confucian doctrine of filial piety and fraternal duty, said Deng Shijian, director of the activity.

In ancient times, the ceremony was usually held in the education institution of each county in every spring and autumn and only gentlemen of noble character and high standing would be invited, according to Deng.

According to the Book of Rites, which reflects Confucius ritual thought, only those aged 60 and above can sit at the ceremony while those younger have to wait upon the seniors. The older one is, the more meat they get.

In this way, people are taught to respect and support the old.

The Dujiangyan Confucian temple has been trying to restore the traditional rituals and carry forward the traditional culture since it reopened to the public in May.

The temple has held a series of activities including archery and Han-style weddings.