Henan marks Anniversary of Huangdi

More than 20,000 Chinese, including thousands from overseas, attended a grand ceremony Tuesday, to honour the nation's legendary ancestor Huangdi, or the Yellow Emperor. The 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month is believed the birth day of the man who is considered a saint in China.

The ceremony was held in central China's Henan Province, in the city of Xinzheng. The city became the capital of Huangdi's Huaxia Empire after he unified the tribes of China, 5000 years ago.

The Yellow Emperor has been officially honoured since the Spring and Autumn Period, around the eighth century BC.

This year the traditional ceremony took on added significance. A new element was added to the annual rite, to seek blessings for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 29 former Olympic champions came to hang blessing plates from tree branches.

Traditional music was played, together with folk dancing for the first time. Organizers say this is more in keeping with the ceremonies as they were held in ancient times.

The Yellow Emperor is a former sovereign and a cultural hero of Chinese mythology. He is said to have reigned from 2697 BC to 2598 BC.