Events in Henan

4. The Yellow Emperor Worship Ceremony
Location: Zhengzhou
Frequency: Annual
Dates: On the third day of the third lunar month

The ceremony is a grand ritual paying homage to Huangdi, or the Yellow Emperor, who is regarded as the common ancestor of the Han Chinese people. With the theme "Same Roots, Same Ancestor, Same Origin; Peace, Harmony and Unity", the rites include a ceremonial salute, offering flower baskets, burning incense, worshipping the gods, singing odes, dancing in reverence, praying for China's prosperity, and a dove release symbolizing the harmonious unity between heaven, earth and humanity. This tradition dates back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (770-221 BC).