A sacrificial ceremony was held at the Suixi Confucian Temple in Zhanjiang to commemorate Confucius, a revered educator and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), on Oct 6.

Confucius is known as the founder of Confucianism, a school of thought that has deeply influenced later generations and has been regarded as a symbol of China's traditional culture for thousands of years.

Confucius is a revered educator and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). [Photo/Zhanjiang Daily]

Over 200 students read aloud the Confucian classics in the square in front of Renji Gate as the temple bell struck at 9:30 am. As the gates swung open, 10 masters of ceremonies led the guests through the Lingxing and Dacheng gates.

More than 200 students read aloud Confucian classics in the square in front of Renji Gate. [Photo/gdzjdaily.com.cn]

At the beginning of the rite, people from all walks of life took three bows and presented flower baskets to the statue of Confucius. A representative then read an elegiac address before all rose and bowed once again.

The Suixi Confucian Temple was built after appeals from the public to revitalize Confucianism in the contemporary era. It emulates the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and features a bilateral symmetrical design.

The newly built Suixi Confucian Temple emulates the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and features a bilateral symmetrical design. [Photo/Zhanjiang Daily]

The former Confucian Temple, originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), was one of the largest of its kind in Guangdong province before being demolished in 1978.