China Focus: Ceremonies worshiping mythical Chinese ancestor Fuxi held on both sides of Taiwan Strait

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2025-06-21 16:19:45

This photo taken on June 21, 2025 shows a ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, in the city of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province. A ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held on Saturday in the city of Tianshui. Tianshui is known as the birthplace of the mythical figure, who is worshiped for his contribution to teaching people about fishing, hunting and animal husbandry. According to historical records, the annual commemoration of Fuxi has a history of more than 2,000 years. It was listed as a form of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

LANZHOU, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held on Saturday in the city of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province.

At 9:50 a.m., the ceremony commenced in front of the city's Fuxi Temple, accompanied by the resonant sounds of drums and tolling bells. This was followed by a series of customs and rituals, including the reading of a eulogy. About 750 people from home and abroad gathered for the occasion.

A similar event was held at the same time in New Taipei City of China's Taiwan region, marking the 12th consecutive year that the legendary figure has been commemorated simultaneously on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Tianshui is known as the birthplace of the mythical figure, who is worshiped for his contribution to teaching people about fishing, hunting and animal husbandry. According to historical records, the annual commemoration of Fuxi has a history of more than 2,000 years. It was listed as a form of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006.

Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, who is leading a delegation of Taiwan youth on a visit to the Chinese mainland, attended the ceremony in Tianshui.

He called on young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to gain a deeper understanding of their identity as descendants of the common Chinese ancestors through such cultural events, and to continue working together to create a bright future for the Chinese nation.

Among the participants, Pauline Fan, creative director of the cultural organization, Pusaka, in Malaysia, expressed strong interest in the event. She was in Tianshui to attend a China-ASEAN cultural heritage dialogue held on Friday.

"It's so ancient and very interesting, because Fuxi is not really a religious figure but more of a cultural and folk ancestor. I'm interested in seeing how the public ceremony is performed and how also that the ritual is combined with this folk element," said Fan.

Before attending the event, Fan read up on relevant information and visited the Fuxi Temple in advance to learn more about it.

Wu Chou Kit from China's Macao Special Administrative Region had long yearned to attend the event. "I'm truly excited to be here today. Taking part in this event has given me a great sense of cultural confidence and the feeling of unity of Chinese compatriots." ■

Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, attends a ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, in the city of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 21, 2025. A ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held on Saturday in the city of Tianshui. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, speaks at an interview after attending a ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, in Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 21, 2025. A ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held on Saturday in the city of Tianshui. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Actresses perform during a ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, in the city of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 21, 2025. A ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held on Saturday in the city of Tianshui. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Children play guzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, at Fuxi Temple in Tianshui City, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 21, 2025. A ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held on Saturday in the city of Tianshui. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Actors and actresses perform during a ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, in the city of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 21, 2025. A ceremony worshiping Fuxi, a mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, was held on Saturday in the city of Tianshui. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhimin)