Confucius and the development of Qufu as a major centre for cultural tourism
While I was there a ceremonial procession moved north toward my location. Dressed in glittering red and gold the many participants performed a series of traditional rituals on an extensive raised stone platform directly in front of the hall. Lasting over 15 minutes it was a quite stunning reenactment of historic traditions. A moment I was glad to witness. Earlier I had photographed a student group dressed in red. Performing simple enactments they were on a Confucian learning experience for which Qufu is certainly popular. Emperors through the dynasties had long before gone there to participate in spectacular ceremonial sacrifices in honor of Confucius.
I was able to find several quiet corners within the temple where I could sit, think of the significance of Confucius while also capturing images of its atmospheric moods that natural light and shadows seem to create within such structures.
