Abstract: Shidian Rite (an ancient rite in memory of ancestors,teachers,and saints originally) can be back-dated very early.It is held in a non-fixed time in memory of ancestors.There are two worships in Shidian Rite in the Zhou Dynasty (1,046 BC—256 BC):the worship of ancestors and kings held in temple,and the worship of ancient saints and teachers held in school.Shidian Rite held in school reflects the rational tendency and the cultural and educational significance that attach importance to experience and wisdom,embodying the ritual evolution from sorcery to history in Chinese culture.Starting in Han Dynasty (202 BC—220) and experiencing the three dynasties of Han,Wei (220—265),and Jin (265—420),the group worship in memory of ancient saints and teachers has evolved into one to memorize Confucius specially,alone with the rise of Confucius and Confucianism in state ideology.This new rite in memory of Confucius is combined with sacrifice rite and sermon.During the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420—589),the Sui Dynasty (581—618),and the Tang Dynasty (618—907),it turns into a grand academic and cultural gathering in which academic issues are freely debated and state etiquette culture is presented,showing the connotations to respect saints and teachers,inherit tradition,and advocate the study of Confucian classics.Today when we inherit and develop excellent ritual culture,we should properly deal with the relationship between ritual demonstration and spiritual inheritance,fully playing the role of Shidian Rite in strengthening cultural identity and cohesion.

Key words: Shidian Rite, ritual features, spiritual connotation, evolution