A new tradition
As there are so many objects of veneration in the proceedings, the Shidian Ritual is divided into the main offering and sub-offerings. The main offering is dedicated to Confucius and is performed by the "Main Offering Official," while the sub-offerings are for the other venerated ones and are performed by eight "Sub-offering Officials." As these officials conduct the ceremony, they pay respects three times to the different spirit tablets simultaneously.
Since the guidelines for the Shidian Ritual were drawn up in 1968, they have been followed at local Confucian temples in all of Taiwan's cities and counties. The part of the Main Offering Official is performed by the local mayor or county commissioner. Taipei City is a special case, however, as it is the seat of the central government. After the "Three Offerings" part of the ritual is performed by the mayor, further offerings are made by a representative of the president (usually the minister of the interior) and a descendant of Confucius (currently Kung Te-cheng).
The Shidian Ritual consists of 33 stages. The first ten gradually build an atmosphere of reverence, and the ceremony reaches a climax with the stage called "Welcoming the Gods." At that point, harmonious music sounds, and two rows of "Ritual Students" file in behind a lantern and an incense burner, holding axes, halberds, fans, umbrellas, and other ritual implements representing literary and martial arts. (In ancient times, a king's attendants would carry such implements on royal tours--Confucius is given royal status.) The Ritual Students stream outside to welcome the spirit of Confucius in.
As the welcomers return to the Hall of Great Perfection, they are met by the Offering Officials. Once the spirit of Confucius has entered the Hall of Great Perfection, the officials bow three times to him. Then, food is brought in, incense is lit, and a set of three ritual offerings is performed. The ceremony comes to a close when the officials consume the offerings of meat and alcohol--a gesture symbolizing their receiving those spirits' blessings. Spectators might miss the part when the food offerings are brought in as it goes by quickly, but it requires elaborate preparation due to the number of items it entails, and much thought has been put into it.
Tung Chin-yu, a professor of Chinese Literature at National Chengchi University, is an expert on the ceremonial honoring of Confucius. He says that as Confucius was given the title of king in the Tang Dynasty, he is on the same level as an emperor and requires the same scale of ritual respect. There should be, for example, eight lines of eight dancers just as there are in rituals honoring emperors. (Unfortunately, due to the limited space at Taipei's Confucian temple, only six are used.) The sacrificial implements are also of the most ceremonious grade used in ancient rituals--there are the meats of the Great Sacrifice as well as coins, silk, and special sacrificial vessels filled with food.
The Great Sacrifice of an ox, a sheep, and a pig is an honor reserved for those of imperial status. The meat is laid out directly in front of the main altar to Confucius. The silk is of the kind most valued in ancient times, and the coins are also made of silk. The foods in the sacrificial vessels are all prepared according to ancient recipes, and the vessels are set in their particular places.