First writing ceremony held in Xi’an

A new first-grader gets a red dot on her forehead (which is called opening the wisdom eye) during a first writing ceremony near Hancheng Lake in Xi’an, Feb 20, 2016.

图为2月20日，在西安汉城湖畔的开笔礼上，一个一年级新生正在接受额头上点朱砂的仪式（即所谓的“朱砂开智”）。

An ancient-style "first writing ceremony" is held in Xi’an, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province on Feb 20, 2016. Fifty-five students wearing traditional custumes participated in the ceremony on Saturday. It is an education activity for children who will start their school life in China.

2月20日，中国西北部陕西省西安市举行了古风浓厚的“开笔礼”。55名学生身着汉服，参与了星期六的这场活动。它是中国传统中对少儿开始识字习礼的一种启蒙教育形式。

First writing ceremony, also called "kaibi ceremony", is one of the most important events for students in ancient China. At the beginning of school sessions, parents would take their children to attend the First Writing Ceremony. Teachers would put a red dot on the students’ forehead as it represents the opening of the wisdom eye since the words "red dot" are pronounced the same as "wisdom" in Chinese. Then, teachers would give lectures on basic principles of behavior. Next, Children kowtow to Confucius and their teachers. It means that from this moment, they are ready to take a step on the lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

“开笔礼”，对中国古代学生有着非常重要意义的仪式之一。到了入学年龄，父母会带着孩子参加开笔礼。老师先在学生的额头上描一个红点，代表着开启智慧之眼，因为在中文中“智慧”的发音与“红点”相像。然后，由老师讲授人生最基本的行为准则。接下来，孩子们参拜孔子像和老师。这意味着，从此刻起，他们就踏入了漫长的求知之旅。

First-graders bow to their parents to express gratitude for them.

一年级的学生向老师鞠躬，以谢师恩。

Two first-graders read the Chinese classic Di Zi Gui, or Disciple Rules, code of practice for the young.

两名一年级的学生在朗读国学经典《弟子规》，它是年轻人的处事守则。

A new first-grader writes a Chinese character during a first writing ceremony held in Xi’an, Feb 20, 2016.

在2月20日西安的开笔礼上，一名一年级新生正在认真书写汉字。

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来源:China Daily爱语吧作者:悠悠