Ancient Chinese ritual utensils

Ancient Chinese ritual utensils - in China ep. Neolithic and later: dishes, musical instruments, accessories, which were a sign of the status of their owner, known from archaeological finds and early descriptions. They were used in religious and political rituals , which included sacrifices to the forces of nature and ancestors, palace feasts, guest rituals, funerals, etc. ceremonies. They were made of stone , clay, bronze, precious wood, varnish.

The production of ritual utensils reached unprecedented heights in the Shan - Zhou era. The surviving artifacts are divided into the following categories: cooking vessels, food vessels, wine vessels, water vessels, musical instruments, jasper products.

A special section (礼 器 Ли) was dedicated to the ritual utensils in the book of ceremonies and rites of Li Ji (禮記 / 礼记).

A hallmark of the use of bronze ritual utensils in ep. Zhou was her correspondence to the rank of the owner in quantitative terms, so-called. ledin system 列 鼎. According to archaeological data, it has established itself widely and relatively quickly approx. 850 BC e., probably as a result of a reform unknown by written historical sources. The ledin system was abruptly changed shortly after 600 BC. e., after which its traces can be traced only in the burials of the higher social class. A distinctive feature of the system was the regulated use of the dyn and gui簋 vessels, where the number of the second was always one less than the first.

By the end of the ep. Zhou ritual utensil production system is declining. In burials, household items are often replaced by models not intended for use by the living. Although adherence to classical ritual norms is preserved during the imperial period, ritual utensils are no longer a comprehensive material expression of Chinese civilization.