Custom of ancestor worship

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: ancestor worship

Applicant: Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province

Item No.: 997

Project No.: Ⅹ - 90

Time of publication: 2011 (the third batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Zhejiang Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province

Protection unit: Wencheng Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center

Introduction to the custom of ancestor worship (Taigong sacrifice)

Applicant: Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province

Taigong sacrifice is a kind of ritual custom of family and local sages, which exists in Nantian Town, Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province.

"Taigong" is the honorific title of Liu Ji, a famous historical figure in Ming Dynasty. Wencheng County is the hometown of Liu Bowen, named after the posthumous title of Liu Ji. The Chengbo temple in Nantian of Wencheng County is a key cultural relic protection unit of the state. The public memorial day for the sages is on the 15th of June of the lunar calendar, the birthday of Liu Ji. Liu's clan held spring and Autumn Festival on the first day of the first lunar month and the 15th of June every year.

In spring and autumn, the Liu clan held a meeting to study the family sacrifices. The descendants of the Liu clan, who had both parents and children, and had both political integrity and ability, were selected as the sacrificial masters. At that time, the Liu clan's relatives all over the country, the descendants of the Liu clan in Taiwan, and the Liu clan living abroad all participated in the sacrificial rites. There are similar activities in Pingyang and Cangnan counties under the jurisdiction of Wenzhou City and Qingtian County around them.

The sacrificial center of "Taigong sacrifice" is located in Chengbo temple in Nantian. The main contents are as follows: 1. After the "horse raising ceremony" on New Year's Eve, Rongting (Liu Bowen memorial tablet) was sent to Liuji temple. 2. Patrol the city. 3. Sacrifice to "Zhuoyuan Temple" (for the seven dynasties of Liu Ji). 4. In the Spring Festival, sacrifice to Taigong. 5. At the end of the ceremony, folk performances such as dragon dance and lantern show will be performed.

The heritage has a strong cohesion for the Liu clan. As a folk activity to commemorate the local sages, it is widely recognized by the local community. It is of great significance to carry forward the traditional humanistic spirit of the Chinese nation, promote overseas Chinese to recognize their ancestors and promote the reunification of the motherland. As a living "family sacrifice" sample, it has important folklore and sociology value.