| Ceremonial Music
Ancient musical instruments are used for
the ceremonial music played at the Confucius Memorial Service. After
the ceremony commences, the musicians must perform various kinds of
ceremonial music in coordination with the sacrificial
instruments and each stage of the ceremony procedure. During the Confucius Memorial Service, an enormous yung tung bell and chin ku drum are placed on the side of the Gate of Rites; rows of bells and musical jade stones are arranged in the temple courtyard; and ancient instruments including the chu, yu, the Chinese lute, po fu, ku, and the hsun. The chu is shaped like a ladle, with a wide top and narrow base, and is played by striking it with a hammer; the yu is a carved wooden instrument shaped like a tiger, which issues a sound when the hollows and protrusions on its spine are brushed; the po fu and ku are both percussion instruments; and the hsun is a round ceramic flute.
A set of 16 cast metal bells and musical jade stones of different sizes are arranged in two tiered rows each; and, when struck, issue a high or low pitch depending on their size.
A large number of sacrificial instruments are used during the Confucius Memorial Service, including the dragon pole, lantern, censer, ax, fan, parasol, wine goblet, tripod vessel, and sacrificial plate. During the ceremony, these instruments must be used in coordination with the music and due to their solemn importance are carried by bearers who pause after every five steps as an expression of respect.
 
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