In the ancient times, it was intensely popular to hold the Coming-of –age Ceremony for people who had been becoming an adult in China. It is reported that the earliest ceremony was launched before about 3000 years. The ceremony usually took place in the ancestral hall, owing to the great importance of it. There are some differences in the rite of passage between boys and girls. For instance, boys’ ceremony was arranged when they are 20 years old, while girls’ was conducted at age of 15. In addition, boys would crown in their ceremony, yet girls would coil their hair and wear hairpins. A rite of passage may stand for qualifications of marriage and responsibility to support a family. Therefore, there is no doubt that a rite of passage was pretty significant in people’s whole life
Great changes have taken place in a rite of passage in China with the changing times. Nowadays, after September every year, those teenagers who are at least 18 years old and in their new clothes are accompanied by their parents, relatives or friends to celebrate the Coming-of-age Ceremony. At the ceremony, their teachers or the old will bless the teenagers and encourage them to obey laws and be ready to serve their country. Many activities are included, such as passing through the “Adult Gate”, presenting gifts and flowers to their children or taking photos as well. Cerebrate the Coming-of-age Ceremony means one has grown up and he/she begins to bear the social responsibilities.
