Ancient China hosted a vast array of banquets for all sorts of occasions, but only four were held to celebrate the imperial examinations.
For the civil track, there were the Lu Ming Banquet and the Qionglin Banquet, held to celebrate newly passed scholars and Advanced Scholars, respectively. For the military track, the Yingyang Banquet and the Martial Arts Banquet corresponded to celebrations after the provincial and palace examinations.
Let us first speak of the Lu Ming Banquet's origin.
Deer have always been revered as celestial beasts, symbolizing rare talent. The "ming"—the cry of the deer—was seen as a heavenly sign, signifying the Emperor's search for and high regard for talent. Therefore, the name "Lu Ming Banquet" truly embodied the Emperor's quest for gifted individuals.
