Six hundred 18-year-old students yesterday entered “wisdom door,” drank “adult wine” and expressed their appreciation to their parents in a joint initiation ceremony to declare a new phase in their lives.
The Taipei City Initiation Ceremony, organized by Taipei City’s Civil Affairs Department, was the first initiation ceremony to be cosponsored by all 12 of the city’s districts.
In time to a slow drumbeat, the students followed a series of traditional rituals during yesterday’s ceremony, held at National Taiwan University, including entering wisdom door, bowing to their ancestors and drinking a glass of wine to symbolize their coming of age.
Parents and family members of the students were also invited to the ceremony. They put a “wisdom crown” on their sons and daughters and presented gifts to them as a symbolic move to pass on family traditions.
“It really feels like my daughter is growing up, and nothing can make a parent happier than watching their children mature and show some gratitude” a mother surnamed Liu said.
For the participating students, the ceremony provided a formal occasion for them to express their appreciation to their parents and family members as they bowed to thank them.
Tseng Shih-wei (曾士瑋), who was raised by his grandmother and aunt after his parents divorced when he was young, thanked them for taking care of him over the past 18 years.
“Life was not easy for me and my family, and I am very grateful for my aunt and grandmother. I would not have been able to go to school and become what I am if not for them,” he said.
Another participant, Huang Yu-wei (黃昱維), was also raised by his aunt as his parents had to move around for work. Growing up without his parents by his side, Huang said he learned to be more independent, but he still remained grateful to them.
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said the ceremony provided an opportunity for participating students to have a deeper understanding of both their rights and duties.
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