A statue of China's legendary ancestor Huangdi (Yellow Emperor). [Photo/China.org.cn, By Zhang Tingting]

An unprecedented grand worshipping ceremony was held in Xinzheng, central China's Henan Province, to commemorate the birth of the nation's legendary ancestor Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) on March 24, 2012, which is the third day of March in the lunar calendar.

 

The ceremony, held at Xingshi Square in Xinzheng city, was organized by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and the Henan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhengzhou municipal government, and Xinzheng city government.

Flower baskets are presented during the grand worshipping ceremony which was held in Xinzheng, central China's Henan Province, March 24, 2012. [Photo/China.org.cn, By Zhang Tingting]

Incense is presented during the grand worshipping ceremony which was held in Xinzheng, central China's Henan Province, March 24, 2012. [Photo/China.org.cn, By Zhang Tingting]

The ceremony was attended by leaders from departments under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the All China Federation of Industry & Commerce, social groups in Hong Kong and Macao, as well as local provincial and municipal leaders. Also in attendance were celebrities from the cultural, scientific and sporting communities. Thousands of overseas Chinese also attended the ceremony.

 

Featured activities included the presenting of flower baskets by leaders, the burning of incense, singing and dancing and the offering of blessings to the nation.

Commenting on the importance of the ceremony, Li Haifeng, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council said: "Chinese traditional cultural concepts and thoughts are attracting more and more social attention. They are also playing a very important role in our political, social and cultural life, thereby becoming crucial spiritual treasures which give the country great impetus."

Although the ceremony is an annual event, this year's event took on a special meaning, due to the fact that 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, and China and its people are called both "the successors of the dragon", and "descendants of the Huangdi (Yellow Emperor)". Perhaps more importantly, this year's ceremony was the first time that the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council was involved, indicating the importance placed in China's traditional culture by the CPC and the State Council.

The Yellow Emperor, or Huangdi, is considered the great ancestor who cultivated the roots of the Chinese nation. Xinzheng City, which was the capital of the Kingdoms of Zheng and Han, was also both the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor, and also the place where he established the capital, marking his greatest achievement.

Great ceremonies have been held, from the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C. - 476 B.C.) right up to the present day, to worship the Emperor Yellow on March 3 in the lunar calendar, the day when the Emperor Yellow united the nation and became the emperor, according to folklore. On this day, visitors can enjoy performances of Central Chinese culture, including demonstrations by monks from the Shaolin Temple. The grand ceremony also offers a wide range of activities, such as artistic exhibitions, trade fairs, tourism promotions and donations.