Sacrificial ceremony held at Emperor Yan’s Mausoleum
2023-07-27
“Emperor Yan is considered as the inventor of agriculture. The development, cultivation, and growth of the Yanling yellow peach industry are a vivid interpretation and practical implementation of the spirit and culture of Emperor Yan”, said Luo Jinliang, an official of the Administration Bureau of Emperor Yan’s Mausoleum.
At 7:29 am, the sacrificial ceremony officially began.
Young men dressed in ancient costumes slowly ascended the steps from the front of the sacrificial square, carrying offerings and respectfully presenting them on the altar.
According to historical records, the tradition of sacrificing to Emperor Yan dates back to the Han Dynasty.
The grand ceremony was held every three years during the Song Dynasty, more than 15 times during the Ming Dynasty, and as many as 38 times during the Qing Dynasty.
For thousands of years, Emperor Yan has lived in the hearts of the Chinese people, and the sacrificial ritual at Emperor Yan’s Mausoleum has gradually become a comprehensive cultural carrier encompassing music, dance, literature, and other fields.
After the sacrificial ceremony, the first 2023 Yanling Yellow Peach Cultural Festival kicked off in Pingle Village, Zhongcun Yao Township, Yanling County.
Luo Jinliang introduced that as the hometown of high-quality yellow peaches in China, Yanling County has over 34,000 fruit farmers who have lifted themselves out of poverty through the cultivation of Yanling Yellow Peaches.
These peaches are not only popular domestically but also exported to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other countries and regions, transforming what used to be impoverished villages into prosperous ones.
In order to support high-quality economic development, and consolidate the achievements of poverty alleviation, in recent years, the Emperor Yan’s Mausoleum Scenic Area has fully relied on the brand resources to promote the integration of cultural tourism and agricultural tourism.
This festival is a perfect combination of the inheritance of the Shennong culture of Emperor Yan and the development of cultural tourism industry in Yanling.
At the event, the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Yanling County release the third-party testing results for yellow peaches and awarded Yanling Yellow Peach Authorization Certificates to 20 Yanling Yellow Peach distributors. The Culture and Tourism Bureau of Yanling County released a tourism route map and announced preferential policies.
