¡§Eight column ceremonial square dance¡¨ had to be performed by 64 people (eight row * eight column).  There are 3 varieties:  the intellectual dance, the martial-art dance, and the combination of both.  The six column square dance is performed by 36 people. (Six row*six column) It consist only the intellectual dance. 

The eight column ceremonial square dance is an important ceremonial dance to commemorate Confucius every year.  It consist of 96 eight beats. The dance steps are performed by every 5 steps with a stop.  The ceremonial ritual is slow and sincere.

       In Kaohsiung city,the intellectual dance is used in the eight column ceremonial square dance. 

                                                                               

                                                            

          The old Confucius temple in Chiu Chen elementary school is an third grade historical site.  It was build during Kai Shiu 23 year in the Chin dynasty.  The old Confucius temple in Chiu Chen elementary school had been more than 300 years old.  It was partially ruined due to its age. Only a small Confucius shrine remained until this day.

       After the recovery of Taiwan,Kaohsiung reinstated the Confucius ceremony.They repaint the Confucius shrine every year at the birthday of Confucius.They also sacrifice whole ox, whole goat,and whole pig during the Confucius ceremony under the traditional orchestra of Chi Ming Tan.

       At 1976, they perform the Confucius ceremony at the new Kaohsiung Confucius temple, which is built at the same year.  All the ritual etiquette, dress, music and containers are made according to the ¡§Improve version Confucius ceremony¡¨.  The eight column square ceremonial dance is performed by the fifth and sixth grade boys of Chiu Chen elementary school.  The eight column square ceremonial dance follows the Ming Dynasty steps. It consist of first sacrifice ritual, second sacrifice ritual, and the final sacrifice ritual. (With a total of 96 moves)  There used to be a contest to plug the ¡§wisdom hair¡¨ from the sacrifices.  It is said that whoever gets the ¡§wisdom hair¡¨ would be intellectually advanced.  However, the zealous crowd often went out of control.  Many people, especially the students are hurt during the chaos.  So now ¡§wisdom cake¡¨ is distribute to everyone to replace the ¡§plugging wisdom hair contest¡¨.