On April 19, 2026, the third day of the third lunar month, the Ancestral Worship Ceremony at the Birthplace of the Yellow Emperor was solemnly held in Xinzheng, Henan.
Led by Mr. Fan Ziping of the Central Plains Association in Singapore, a delegation of the association’s president traveled specifically to Xinzheng to participate in this ancestral worship ceremony. As a key milestone of this Central Plains tour, the trip not only carries the mission of cultural exchange but also represents a spiritual return that transcends time and space.
March 3rd: Paying Homage to Emperor Xuanyuan—A Cultural Tradition Spanning Millennia
“On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head; on the third day of the third lunar month, the Yellow Emperor was born.”
As a significant ceremony in which the Chinese people honor their ancestral progenitor, the Yellow Emperor, the Ancestral Worship Ceremony has been passed down for thousands of years and has become a major cultural celebration shared by Chinese people around the world. Every year on this day, Chinese people from home and abroad gather in the Central Plains to express their reverence for their ancestors through solemn rituals.
The ceremony was solemn and dignified, with the sound of drums and music filling the air and the proceedings conducted with strict protocol. From the presentation of floral wreaths and the ritual of washing hands and offering incense, to the reverent recitation of the prayer and the invocation of blessings for China, every aspect of the ceremony carried profound cultural significance and highlighted the beauty of Chinese etiquette and the spiritual depth of Chinese civilization.
Living Abroad, but My Heart Belongs to the Central Plains: A Meaningful “Journey to Rediscover My Roots”
For the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, this ancestral pilgrimage holds special and profound significance.
The Central Plains are a major cradle of Chinese civilization; for those from the Central Plains living abroad, this region is also a spiritual homeland.
As the delegation entered the Birthplace of the Yellow Emperor and found themselves amidst the solemn and reverent atmosphere of the ancestral worship ceremony, a sense of “shared roots and origins” flowed silently through the air—this was not merely a ritual, but a return to cultural identity and a response from the depths of the heart.
Culture and the Times: Contemporary Interpretations of Traditional Festivals
In the context of the new era, the Ancestral Worship Ceremony is no longer merely a traditional ritual; it has become an important showcase of Chinese cultural confidence.
Through modern presentation methods and an international perspective, this ancient ritual has been infused with new vitality, allowing Chinese culture to reach the world with a more open and inclusive attitude.
Throughout their participation, the delegation members also gained a deep appreciation for the power of culture—it not only connects us to the past but also guides us toward the future.
The Purpose of This Trip: To Make “Central China” a More Distinctive Identity
Looking back on the entire trip to the Central Plains—from visits to industrial sites to exchanges with companies—what everyone felt most strongly was a sense of development and opportunity; the Ancestral Worship Ceremony, however, elevated all of this to a deeper level—that of culture and heritage.
It transformed the “Central Plains” from a mere geographical concept into an identity, an emotional bond, and a cultural link connecting the world. It was at that very moment that the members of the delegation became even more convinced: no matter where they were, the Central Plains would always remain their shared roots.
Using culture as a bridge to connect people from the Central Plains with the world
Century 21 Singapore remains committed to promoting exchange and integration between China and the rest of the world.
This pilgrimage to our ancestral homeland has not only deepened our understanding of Central Plains culture but has also further strengthened our sense of belonging and responsibility as “people of the Central Plains.” Moving forward, the Central Plains Association will continue to use culture as a unifying force to rally overseas communities, foster resource sharing and collaborative development, and ensure that Central Plains culture continues to make its voice heard on a broader stage.
Participants in the ancestral worship ceremony
Advisor to the Zhongyuan Society, Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the Singapore Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Foreign Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Humanities 黄铭钧
Wang Jiancheng, Advisor to Zhongyuan Association, Chairman of Ronghua Group
Fan Ziping, Zhongyuan Association
Su Jianbin, Permanent Honorary President of the Zhongyuan Association and Chairman of Yunnan Dongsheng Paper Industry Co., Ltd.
Ma Xiaoyun, Permanent Honorary President of the Zhongyuan Association and Founder of Jingma International
Yue Wei, Honorary President of the Zhongyuan Association and Chairman of Shanxi Shengyuan Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
Zhang Lifeng, Honorary Vice President of the Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of Fuhua Private Limited
Zhang Bo, Vice President of the Zhongyuan Association and CEO of Cheng•Production Pte. Ltd.
Li Yong, Vice President of the Central Plains Association and Managing Director of Yongli Sanitary Plumbing Sdn. Bhd.
Chai Jie, Secretary-General of the Zhongyuan Association and Head of International Programs at FedEx
Guo Lijun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Zhongyuan Association and CEO of Henan Kenan Crane Co., Ltd.
Written by: Zhao Xiaodan
Photography: Cheng • Production Pte. Ltd.
Produced by: Singapore Zhongyuan Association