The following video recording of the Autumnal Sacrifice to Confucius was filmed by Thomas Wilson with the assistance of Brooks Jessup (’99) in the city of Tainan, Taiwan in September of 1998. With the formal permission of the Tainan Culture Temple Management Committee, Wilson and Jessup attended the preliminary preparations of the sacrificial offering during the evening before the ceremony and filmed the ritual from the vantage point inside the main hall of the temple. The filmmakers wish to express their gratitude to Zhang Canhu 張燦鍙, Committee Director, and members of the Culture Temple Management Committee for making this filming possible. Funding for this project was provided by a Summer Stipend from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Pacific Cultural Foundation, and a stipend for student travel from the Levitt Center, Hamilton College.

The first video is a film of the entire ceremony with captions of the liturgy as called out by the master of ceremonies. The section, “Anatomy of the Rite,” offers a step-by-step breakdown and analysis of each phase of the ceremony.

The last two videos include a recording of the Spring Sacrifices to Confucius at the Confucius Temple in Taibei, Taiwan in March of 2010 and a joint performance at the Taibei Municipal Government Building of the combined dance troupes from Taibei, Tainan, and Korea

This section offers a step-by-step explanation and analysis of each phase of the rite.

The Autumnal Sacrifice to Confucius follows the standardized sequence of ritual actions at all imperial shrines established as early as the seventh century. The first imperial sacrifice to Confucius is often dated to 195 BCE under the reign of Han Gaozu (r. 206-195 BCE). This offering consisted of a “large beast” 太牢 sacrifice of an ox, goat, and pig placed on racks in front of the altar. The music and dance were standardized by Emperor Wu of the Qi dynasty (480-502) in 485. The six stages of the liturgy used at imperial altars and temples were:

1. Welcoming the spirits

2. First offering of incense, silk, wine, and food, as well as the reading of a prayer addressed to the spirits

3. Second offering of wine to the spirits

4. Third offering of wine, as well as the principal officiant’s acceptance of the consecrated wine and meat

5. Clearing the sacrificial feast

6. Ending the rite by bidding farewell to the spirits and burning the written prayer and silk

Each video is accompanied by a brief description of what is actually occurring, as well as a more in-depth explanation of the history, precedent, and significance of themes, actions, or key elements. Each video can be found and accessed on any of the other video pages on the right-hand side.

The offerings are set up inside the main temple as a feast for the spirits.
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The beginning of the ceremony is announced.
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The blood and fur of the sacrifice victim are buried outside the temple gate.
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The spirit is escorted into the temple from the main gate.

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The first of three offerings to Confucius.
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Reading of the prayer celebrating and honoring Confucius.
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Offerings to correlates and disciples.
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The second of the three offerings to Confucius.
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A closeup and explanation of some of the musical instruments used.
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The consecration officer receives the meat and wine.
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The feast is cleared and the rite is completed.

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The written prayer is burned to conclude the ritual.
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Qiu Wenxiang 邱文祥, Taibei Vice Mayor 臺北市副市長 served as Principal Consecration Officer 正獻官.

Performance of Confucius Temple dance at the Taibei Municipal Government Building. The performance combined dance troupes from Taibei, Tainan, and Korea.

臺北孔廟、臺南孔廟、韓國佾舞、三一寰宇祭孔佾舞

地點：臺北市府2樓大禮堂