Taiwan content creator explores cultural roots at Fuxi Ceremony

The annual Fuxi Ceremony, held on the Summer Solstice, brought together people from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and overseas Chinese communities in Tianshui, Gansu province, to honor Fuxi, a legendary figure regarded as one of the early ancestors of Chinese civilization.

Held on June 21, this year's ceremony featured traditional rituals including drum and bell ceremonies, the reading of a memorial text, music and dance performances, and ancestor worship, continuing a tradition that dates back thousands of years.

The modern ceremony was officially launched by Tianshui in 1988. In 2006, the "Fuxi Ceremony" was included in the first national list of intangible cultural heritage. Since 2014, cross-Strait ceremonies honoring Fuxi have also been held, becoming a platform for people to connect with shared cultural memories.

Taiwan-based content creator Lee Yisiou, known online as HistoryBro, attended the ceremony for the first time and his visit carried a personal connection. Lee said his family lineage traces back to the Li clan of Longxi county in Dingxi, Gansu province, a place associated with the ancestral roots of the Li surname.

For Lee, the trip was not only a journey into history but also an exploration of cultural identity. He said ancestor worship is a unique tradition that allows people to reflect on their origins. "A sense of ritual is an important process of spiritual elevation. When you feel the vast flow of history, a sense of cultural confidence naturally rises."

Lee believes cultural identity grows through understanding and experiencing one's own heritage. "This is our culture. This is our root," he said, adding that he hopes to share the experience with more young people in Taiwan and overseas Chinese communities.

"What makes this ceremony especially meaningful is the shared cultural heritage. Seeing representatives from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and overseas Chinese communities gather here to honor Fuxi shows how cultural roots can connect people across regions," Lee said.

"For any community, a sense of identity begins with understanding and practicing its own culture. With that foundation, we can better engage with and respect different cultures and countries," he added.

Xie Fangshu, known as Sanmei in New Zealand and a host at a Chinese-language media outlet, said traditional Chinese wisdom, including concepts such as bagua (the Eight Trigrams) and yin-yang philosophy, continues to influence Chinese people overseas. She added that an increasing number of people abroad are becoming fascinated by traditional Chinese lifestyles.

She hopes to bring what she experienced at the ceremony back to New Zealand, helping more people understand Chinese culture through both its historical roots and contemporary vitality.