"Shi" and "dian" both mean "to lay out" or "to present an offering," and refer to the music and dances performed and the libations of meat and alcohol presented out of respect for sages and teachers of old.
所謂「釋」、「奠」都是陳設、呈獻的意思，是指在祭典中陳設音樂、舞蹈，並且呈獻牲、酒等祭品，表示對被祭祀者的崇敬。