Chinese traditional coming of age ceremony held in Chengdu

A Chinese traditional coming of age ceremony is held on July 16 in the Wenshufang Cultural Block in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province. [Photo by Peng Chao/provided to China Daily]

A Chinese traditional coming of age ceremony was held on Tuesday, July 16 in the Wenshufang Cultural Block in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, marking that a girl has grown up to become a young woman. The whole ceremonial process followed the procedures recorded by several historical documents, with the host, the woman, and guests all wearing Hanfu, Chinese traditional clothing.

Qi Hehui, a professor of literature studies at the Southwest University for Nationalities, placed hairpins in the woman's hair three times in the order of jade, gold, and wood. For each hairpin, the young woman wore a different type of dress, indicating that she has grown from a vigorous girl to an elegant woman.

Tan Jihe, a historian and president of the Sichuan Provincial Association of History, gave a courtesy name to the young woman, Mujiu, which literally means to encourage her to face difficulties and challenges to constantly strive for self-perfection.

Wang Qingyu, a master of martial arts and Taoist medicine, said the coming of age ceremony taught all the participants what Chinese culture is and how meaningful it is to people's lives.

"The coming of age ceremony makes me more aware of the care and love of my parents and relatives. It gives me a deeper understanding of the charm of traditional Chinese etiquette and culture," said Mujiu, adding that the ceremony is of special meaning to her as she is going to study in the United States next month.

Mujiu, who calls herself Lingche, is president of a cosplay society based in Chengdu. She has held two Hanfu culture experience events in Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu this year to promote Hanfu and traditional Chinese culture. She has also opened a culture experience store in May to showcase the charm of diverse cultures through different costumes.

She said that she is planning to establish a new society at university and try her best to promote cross-cultural exchanges between China and the West.

The young woman coming of age showcases her dress at a Chinese traditional coming of age ceremony in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province. [Photo by Tang Ze/provided to China Daily]

The young woman coming of age makes a bow with hands folded in front to the guests at a Chinese traditional coming of age ceremony in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province. [Photo by Tang Ze/provided to China Daily]