Why students in ancient China honoured teachers by gifting wild vegetables
Students gifted only water celery or white wormwood, choosing these fragrant plants to symbolise a pure pursuit of knowledge
While it is common for Chinese people to hold banquets for teachers upon graduation as a way of honouring them – a traditional value – in ancient China, students expressed their respect for teachers differently: by presenting them with vegetables.
The tradition began in the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC). On the first day of school, students wore blue gowns and brought their teachers wild vegetables they had gathered themselves. They then bowed reverently before memorial tablets honouring ancient sages. The ceremony was followed by a group dance, which also expressed the students’ respect for their teachers and their dedication to their studies.
Not just any vegetables could be presented to teachers on this day. Water celery and white wormwood were preferred because they were seen as clean, fragrant and ethereal, symbolising the students’ pure pursuit of knowledge.
