The sacrificial rites at the Xiaoling Mausoleum during the Great Ming dynasty were divided into "three major rites" and "five minor rites."
The three major rites were held during the Qingming Festival, the Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan), and the Winter Solstice. The five minor rites included the Emperor’s birthday, the Lunar New Year (Zhengdan), the beginning of winter (Mengdong), and two memorial anniversaries—those of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma.
On the first day of the first lunar month, Crown Prince Zhu Cilang of the Great Ming led a contingent of officials to the Xiaoling Mausoleum to perform the rites. The entire process was solemn and dignified.
Chapter 1101