International adulthood ceremony held at Taipei Confucian Temple

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on January 7, 2006. It reports that an international ceremony marking young people's transition into adulthood was recently held in Taipei, with the participation of some 180 local students, 21 foreign students and children of members of the international diplomatic corps in Taiwan.

At the ceremony, which was held at the Taipei Confucius Temple, the initiates were given a hat or a hairpin to denote their formal coming to age -- age 20 for boys and 15 for girls, in accordance with an ancient Chinese tradition that is believed to have been handed down from the time of Confucius.

Taipei City Mayor Hau Long-bin addressed the ceremony, which was sponsored by Rotary International #3520. Hau exhorted the young men and women to courageously take up their responsibilities toward society and their families, now that they are adults. Meanwhile, the international students were amazed with the Chinese rite's ceremonial etiquette and protocol, including a classical line and square dance and drum playing.

Finally, Hau pointed out that some aspects of the ceremony could be improved. For example, translation or interpretation of the event should be made available to foreign participants so that they can better understand the profound significance of the ceremony.