Yesterday evening, hundreds of the Americans in Beijing gathered to the South Plaza of U.S. Embassy, mourning the tenth anniversary of 9/11.
On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people died when terrorists crashed hijacked airplanes into the twin towers, the Pentagon in Virginia, and a field in Shanksville.After a brief speech, U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke lit white candles and passing the candles along the crowd.The candles covered square silently.After the ceremony, mourners placed the candles and colored lanterns into the water.It is the old customs of the China's Ghost Festival to place lanterns into the water.Many American children wearing American Scout uniform, to "express the courage of Americans in the disaster."The candles covered square silently.
Oriental style colored lanterns were arranged along the flagpole, American flag was lowered by one third.
It is the old customs of the China’s Hungry Ghost Festival to place lanterns into the water in the night of 15 July (by lunar Calendar). On that day the deceased are believed to visit the living, the realms of Heaven and Hell and the realm of the living are open and both Taoists and Buddhists would perform rituals to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased.
