A grand ceremony is held in Daishan county of Zhoushan, in Zhejiang province on June 16, to give thanks to the ocean. [Photo/Zhoushan Daily]

A grand ceremony to worship the ocean gods and give thanks to the ocean was held in Daishan county of Zhoushan, in Zhejiang province on June 16.

An annual tradition in the island county, ocean worship is a kind of sacrificial rite to venerate and worship the Dragon King and other ocean gods, and is one of the most distinctive folk customs in Daishan.

Performances celebrating its fishing culture are given at the ceremony in Daishan county, in Zhejiang on June 16. [Photo/Zhoushan Daily]

This year, the ceremony focused on the authentic livelihoods of the coastal region's fishermen and their time-honored culture. Around 300 respected people held incenses and gathered at the altar, extending their gratitude and prayers.

Daishan has been working to further promote this ancient folk custom by holding a grand festival in June, with the aim of extending gratitude for the gifts of the ocean and advocating the idea of living in harmony with nature. On June 16, 2005, the county organized the first China Ocean Cultural Festival and the ocean worshipping ceremony, and as of 2018 the event has been held for 13 consecutive years.

Young men march ceremonial tablets representing the ocean gods march to the altar at the worshipping ceremony in Daishan county, in Zhejiang on June 16. [Photo/Zhoushan Daily]