Zhou Dynasty’s ritual system

What status did etiquette hold in the Zhou Dynasty?

The Zhou dynasty comprises two periods, the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, spanning approximately 800 years, making it the longest-lasting dynasty in Chinese history. During this extensive period, the culture and political system of the Zhou dynasty underwent profound development, particularly in terms of its etiquette .

Confucius provided an insightful evaluation in The Book of Rites，he believed that Xia Dynasty culture was one of respecting destiny, Shang Dynasty culture was one of respecting the divinities, while Zhou Dynasty culture was one of respecting etiquette. The Zhou dynasty placed great emphasis on the etiquette system because it was an important means of maintaining the hierarchical system and consolidating royal power.

How was this culture of respecting etiquette reflected in their daily lives?

It was by summarizing the extremely complex and varied aspects of life into five main categories: Auspicious etiquette, Marriage etiquette, Military etiquette, Diplomacy etiquette, and Funerals etiquette.

Different levels of nobility were required to perform different etiquette, and the utensils they used, the clothes they wore, and the ceremonies they conducted were all distinct.

Rulers used these elaborate etiquette to maintain the social order they established, etiquette become the framework for forming politics. Therefore, there was a legend in ancient China that Zhou Gong, the highest administrative officer in the early Zhou Dynasty, formulated the etiquette.

It is said that Zhou Gong, as the highest administrative officer in the early Zhou Dynasty, made judicious selections and omissions from the etiquette inherited from the Shang Dynasty to formulate a set of etiquette suited to the needs of the newly established Zhou Dynasty. Subsequent rulers would adjust and revise these etiquette as needed, leading to an ever increasing number of etiquette, becoming more complex over time.

The etiquette of the Western Zhou Dynasty was reflected in all aspects of aristocracy life, from the hierarchy of clothing and ornament to the use of utensils，and the types of horses and chariots for travel, all of which had strict regulations based on their social status.

Of all the etiquette contents, the one that best expresses the hierarchy is costume. During the Western Zhou Dynasty period, there were strict regulations on clothing and various ornaments, and any oversteps was absolutely prohibited. However in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty period, when the social order was disrupted and etiquette was destroyed, more and more people exceeded the regulations and oversteps became more frequent.

This strict hierarchy of clothing and ornament far beyond its original functions of warmth, protection, or decoration.