Honouring the Spirits
Qu Yuan
The completed rite and lasting time
The ceremony ends; the wish continues.
Passing flowers, alternating dancers and seasonal offerings connect the present gathering to future years.
成礼兮会鼓，
The rite is complete, and the drums sound together.
传芭兮代舞。
Flowers pass from hand to hand as dancers take their turns.
姱女倡兮容与。
Beautiful women lead the song, their steps unhurried.
春兰兮秋菊，
Lan is offered in spring, chrysanthemums in autumn.
长无绝兮终古。
May these offerings never cease, through ages without end.
The completed rite asks for continuing reverence across seasons and into distant time.