First writing ceremony marks start of new school year

The Affiliated Nansha Primary School of South China Normal University recently held its first writing ceremony on the first day of school, local media outlets reported on Sept 4.

The first writing ceremony is an enlightening educational practice for young students in Chinese traditional culture.

Teachers place a symbolic red mark on each child's forehead, representing the ignition of wisdom. The students then picked up their brushes and wrote their first character, "人" (ren), symbolizing the beginning of their educational journey.

The children at this event paid respects to their teachers with the traditional gesture of bowing. They also bowed to their fellow classmates, signifying the formal commencement of their primary school experience.

As the ceremony came to a close, parents in attendance presented their children with the essential "four treasures of study" — ink brushes, ink cakes, ink stones and paper, symbolizing the harmonious cooperation between home and school that will accompany the students on their educational journey.

The Affiliated Nansha Primary School of South China Normal University holds the first writing ceremony for its new first-grade students. [Photo/WeChat account: nanshafabu]