What is the 26th day of the seventh lunar month?

The 26th day of the seventh lunar month is a traditional festival - the day of the Confucius Ceremony.

The ceremony of worshiping Confucius originated in the Han Dynasty and is an important activity to respect Confucius and Confucianism and promote the culture of advocating learning. Every year on July 26th, Confucius temples across the country hold grand ceremonies to worship Confucius to express respect for Confucian culture and the saint Confucius.

The 26th day of the seventh lunar month in 2023 is Teachers’ Day, which aims to recognize teachers’ contributions to education. In 1985, the ninth meeting of the Standing Committee of the Sixth National People's Congress officially designated September 10, 1985 as China's first Teachers' Day. Every year on Teachers' Day, teachers across China celebrate their holiday in different ways.

Through selection and awards, introducing experience, helping to solve practical difficulties in wages, housing, medical care, etc., and improving teaching conditions, it has greatly increased the enthusiasm of teachers to engage in education. China's first set of "Teacher's Day" stamps was issued on August 27, 1947. This set contains four stamps. The images include the portrait of Confucius, the apricot altar where Confucius lectured, the tomb of Confucius, and the Dacheng Hall in Confucius' mansion.

The formation of its origin

Sacrifice to Confucius is a grand ceremony held mainly in the Confucius (Literature) Temple by the Chinese nation in order to respect and commemorate the most holy teacher Confucius. It has lasted for more than two thousand years. The ceremony of worshiping Confucius has never stopped since ancient times, and it has become a miracle in the history of world sacrifices and human cultural festivals.

The activity of worshiping Confucius can be traced back to 478 BC. In the second year after Confucius died, Duke Ai of Lu turned Confucius's former residence into a longevity hall to worship Confucius. Confucius' former residence became the first Confucius temple in the world.

Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, visited Lu and used "Tailao" to worship Confucius, which was the first time for emperors to worship Confucius. After Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty deposed all schools of thought and only respected Confucianism, Confucius temples were built in various places, until Confucius temples became more popular in counties and counties. Confucius temples gradually evolved into ritual temples for the feudal court to worship Confucius.

Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia - Ceremony of Worship to Confucius