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September 28Th is Confucius' Westernized birthday and as such it is known as Teacher's Day in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. During the celebration, top students turn out in traditional dress along with the intellectual leaders of the community. Judges, politicians, professors and the president will show up to the ceremony. Everyone will have a peacock feather on them as the word for peacock in Mandarin Chinese (Cong tray) is phonetically similar to the word for smart (Cong Ming.)
Chinese people do not worship Confucius in the same way that a Westerner might with Jesus, but rather turn to Confucius around exam time and ask for wisdom and guidance. This is akin to a Christian turning to a saint who specializes in a particular area.
A student will go to the Confucius temple with sprigs of spring onion as an offering because phonetically the word for onion "yang Cong" is similar to the word for smart - "Cong Ming." From there a student will offer incense, place their palms flat together and bow three times. After bowing, the student will state their full name, date of birth, address and what they're asking for guidance on, for example, "Please allow me to pass the bar so that I may become a lawyer."
If the candidate or student is successful, it is customary to bring back a bouquet of flowers or a cash donation for the temple.
There are other instances, but these are the two major ways a Chinese might worship Confucius.
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