Rites of Zhou
Encyclopedia
The Rites of Zhou also known as Zhouguan, is one of three ancient ritual texts listed among the classics of Confucianism
. It was later renamed Zhouli by Liu Xin to differentiate it from a chapter in the Classic of History
which was also known as Zhouguan.
Though tradition ascribed the text of the Rites of Zhou to the Duke of Zhou
or to its first editor Liu Xin
, the work is considered by modern scholars to have been an anonymous utopian construct. For many centuries this book was joined with the Liji "Record of Rites" and the Yili "Etiquette and Rites" as the Three Rites of Chinese literature
.
in the library of Prince Liu De (劉德) (d. 130 BC), younger brother of Emperor Wu of Han
. From at least the Song Dynasty
, the book was thought to be the work of its first editor, Liu Xin
(劉歆) (ca. 50 BC – 23 AD), librarian and astronomer to the emperor Wang Mang
(王莽). Liu Xin was the first known scholar who ascribed the work to the Duke of Zhou
(Zhou Gong 周公). In the late 19th and early 20th centuries AD, following the famous scholar Kang Youwei
(康有為), the book was often seen as a forgery by Liu Xin. A few holdouts in the scholarly community continue to insist on a Western Zhou
date for the classic, but the majority follow Qian Mu (錢穆) and Gu Jiegang
(顧頡剛) in assigning The Rites of Zhou to about the 3rd century BC. Present-day scholars, such as Yu Yingshi
(余英時), are converging on the late Warring States period as the time of compilation of the book, some basing their hypothesis on a comparison of official titles in the text with extant bronze inscriptions, others on the knowledge of calendars that appears implicit in the text.
The book is divided into six chapters:
In the 12th century, it was given special recognition by being placed among the Six Classics as a substitute for the long-lost Classic of Music
(樂經).
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
. It was later renamed Zhouli by Liu Xin to differentiate it from a chapter in the Classic of History
Classic of History
The Classic of History is a compilation of documentary records related to events in ancient history of China. It is also commonly known as the Shàngshū , or simply Shū...
which was also known as Zhouguan.
Though tradition ascribed the text of the Rites of Zhou to the Duke of Zhou
Duke of Zhou
The Duke of Zhou played a major role in consolidating the newly-founded Zhou Dynasty . He was the brother of King Wu of Zhou, the first king of the ancient Chinese Zhou Dynasty...
or to its first editor Liu Xin
Liu Xin
Liu Xin , later changed name to Liu Xiu , courtesy name Zijun , was a Chinese astronomer, historian, and editor during the Xin Dynasty . He was the son of Confucian scholar Liu Xiang and an associate of other prominent thinkers such as the philosopher Huan Tan...
, the work is considered by modern scholars to have been an anonymous utopian construct. For many centuries this book was joined with the Liji "Record of Rites" and the Yili "Etiquette and Rites" as the Three Rites of Chinese literature
Chinese literature
Chinese literature extends thousands of years, from the earliest recorded dynastic court archives to the mature fictional novels that arose during the Ming Dynasty to entertain the masses of literate Chinese...
.
Compilation
The book appeared in the middle of the 2nd century BC, when it was found and included in the collection of Old TextsOld Texts
In Chinese philology, the Old Texts refer to some versions of the Five Classics discovered during the Han Dynasty, written in archaic characters and supposedly produced before the burning of the books, as opposed to the Modern Texts or New Texts in the new orthography.The last half of the 2nd...
in the library of Prince Liu De (劉德) (d. 130 BC), younger brother of Emperor Wu of Han
Emperor Wu of Han
Emperor Wu of Han , , personal name Liu Che , was the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty of China, ruling from 141 BC to 87 BC. Emperor Wu is best remembered for the vast territorial expansion that occurred under his reign, as well as the strong and centralized Confucian state he organized...
. From at least the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, the book was thought to be the work of its first editor, Liu Xin
Liu Xin
Liu Xin , later changed name to Liu Xiu , courtesy name Zijun , was a Chinese astronomer, historian, and editor during the Xin Dynasty . He was the son of Confucian scholar Liu Xiang and an associate of other prominent thinkers such as the philosopher Huan Tan...
(劉歆) (ca. 50 BC – 23 AD), librarian and astronomer to the emperor Wang Mang
Wang Mang
Wang Mang , courtesy name Jujun , was a Han Dynasty official who seized the throne from the Liu family and founded the Xin Dynasty , ruling AD 9–23. The Han dynasty was restored after his overthrow and his rule marks the separation between the Western Han Dynasty and Eastern Han Dynasty...
(王莽). Liu Xin was the first known scholar who ascribed the work to the Duke of Zhou
Duke of Zhou
The Duke of Zhou played a major role in consolidating the newly-founded Zhou Dynasty . He was the brother of King Wu of Zhou, the first king of the ancient Chinese Zhou Dynasty...
(Zhou Gong 周公). In the late 19th and early 20th centuries AD, following the famous scholar Kang Youwei
Kang Youwei
Kang Youwei , was a Chinese scholar, noted calligrapher and prominent political thinker and reformer of the late Qing Dynasty. He led movements to establish a constitutional monarchy and was an ardent Chinese nationalist. His ideas inspired a reformation movement that was supported by the Guangxu...
(康有為), the book was often seen as a forgery by Liu Xin. A few holdouts in the scholarly community continue to insist on a Western Zhou
Western Zhou
The Western Zhōu period was the first half of the Zhou Dynasty of ancient China. It began when King Wu of Zhou overthrew the Shang Dynasty at the Battle of Muye. C.H...
date for the classic, but the majority follow Qian Mu (錢穆) and Gu Jiegang
Gu Jiegang
Gu Jiegang was a Chinese historian who is known best for his seven volume work Gushi Bian . He was a leading force in the Doubting Antiquity school.-Biography:...
(顧頡剛) in assigning The Rites of Zhou to about the 3rd century BC. Present-day scholars, such as Yu Yingshi
Yu Ying-shih
Yu Ying-shih is a Chinese American historian known for his mastery of sources for Chinese history and philosophy, his ability to synthesize them on a wide range of topics, and for his advocacy for a new Confucianism...
(余英時), are converging on the late Warring States period as the time of compilation of the book, some basing their hypothesis on a comparison of official titles in the text with extant bronze inscriptions, others on the knowledge of calendars that appears implicit in the text.
The book is divided into six chapters:
- Offices of the Heaven (Tianguan Zhongzai, 天官冢宰) on government in general;
- Offices of Earth (Diguan Situ, 地官司徒) on education;
- Offices of Spring (Chunguan Zongbo, 春官宗伯) on social and religious institutions;
- Offices of Summer (Xiaguan Sima, 夏官司馬) on the army;
- Office of Autumn (Qiuguan Sikou, 秋官司寇) on justice;
- Office of Winter (Dongguan Kaogongji, 冬官考工記) on population, territory, and agriculture.
In the 12th century, it was given special recognition by being placed among the Six Classics as a substitute for the long-lost Classic of Music
Classic of Music
The Classic of Music is sometimes referred to as the sixth "Chinese classic text". It was lost by the time of the Han Dynasty.A few traces remain and can be found in other ancient Chinese classics like Zuo Zhuan , Zhou li , and the Classic of Rites...
(樂經).
Record of Trades
A part of the Winter Offices, Kaogong ji 考工記 ("Record of Trades") contains important information on technology, architecture, city planning etc. A passage records that 'The master craftsman constructs the state capital. He makes a square nine li on one side; each side has three gates. Within the capital are nine north-south and nine east-west streets. The north-south streets are nine carriage tracks in width'.Literature
- Nylan, Michael, The Five 'Confucian' Classics, New Haven (Yale University Press), 2001, ISBN 0-300-08185-5, Chapter 4, The Three Rites Canon pp. 168–202.
- Boltz, William G., 'Chou li' in: Early Chinese Texts. A Biliographical Guide (Loewe, Michael, ed.), pp. 24–32, Berkeley: Society for the Study of Early China, 1993, (Early China Special Monograph Series No. 2), ISBN 1-557-29043-1.
- Karlgren, Bernhard, 'The Early History of the Chou li and Tso chuan Texts' in: Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquites, 3 (1931), pp. 1–59
External links
- Rites of Zhou (Chinese)
- Rites of Zhou (French translation of 1851, still the best Occidental source for the work). Also available for downloading at http://classiques.uqac.ca/classiques/chine_ancienne/auteurs_chinois.html