釋奠

Traditionally glossed (e.g. by Zheng Xuan) as 釋菜奠幣 (to make a ritually clean offering of vegetables and ceremoniously lay the treasures of silk), it was specified in the Book of Rites as part of a ritual honouring the 先師, ancient instructors (of war).

反，釋奠于學，以訊馘告。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]

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反，释奠于学，以讯馘告。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE

Fǎn, shìdiàn yú xué, yǐ xùn guó gào.

When the forces return, (they make) the offerings of vegetables and silk at the school (to the ancient instructors of war), and announce (the news of victory) by presenting the captives and the severed ears of the slain.

The association of the school and education with war was once common in proto-feudal China (see Yang, 1965). The term was later used chiefly in the Confucian context as a ceremony honouring Confucius and other sages, without the warlike association.

釋奠

1. (history) ritual offering honouring ancient instructors
2. (Confucianism) ceremony honouring Confucius and Confucian sages in schools

   • 今釋奠有伯魚而無子思。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, trad.]
     今释奠有伯鱼而无子思。 [Written Vernacular Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. 13th century, various editors, A Collection of Conversations of Master Zhu (《朱子語類》)

     Jīn shìdiàn yǒu Bóyú ér wú Zǐsī.

     These days in the rites of shidian offerings were made to Boyu but not to Zisi.