The Imperial Palace, as a royal palace in the Ming and Qing dynasties, carries a rich palace etiquette culture. The following is a detailed explanation of the palace etiquette culture in the imperial Palace:
First, the classification of court etiquette
The ancient court rites can be roughly divided into five categories: auspicious rites, Jia rites, bin rites, military rites and fierce rites.
Auspicious rites: used for sacrifice, such as the winter solstice in the southern suburbs, after the start of spring, praying for grain, Gong into the jade book, jade treasure, longevity Festival offering.
Jia ceremony: used for celebrations, such as the emperor’s accession to the throne, Taihe Hall of congratulation, imperial gate hearing, the emperor’s wedding, the establishment of the queen and so on.
Ceremony: used to welcome guests, such as foreign tributes, foreign expressions of gratitude, the meeting of princes outside the imperial family, the meeting of officials in the Beijing government, etc.
Military salute: Used for expedition, such as grand military parade, personal expedition, commanding general, triumphant return, offering prisoners and so on.
Inauspicious rites: used for mourning, such as the list of holy events, the list of great events, the mourning of the concubine, the mourning of the concubine, the mourning of the emperor.
Second, a detailed explanation of the main court etiquette
enthronement
Overview: The accession of a new emperor to the throne, known as enthronement, is a ceremony in which the new emperor announces his status to the people of the country and neighboring countries, and also announces the beginning of a new era.
Process: Worship heaven and earth, ancestors, send officials on behalf of the heir to the temple of Heaven, Temple of Earth, Tai Temple, altar of Shiji to hold a grand worship activities. Then in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the palace held a grand ceremony of enthronation, including furnishings jade case, table case, edict case, etc., civil and military officials according to the rank, standing, the emperor dressed in white filial clothing three kneeling nine knocking ceremony, and finally sat down on the throne of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, officially became the emperor of the world.
Great court etiquette
Overview: The Great Court is the Great court meeting, which is the ancient court meeting system. The Great Dynasty is generally held on the New Year’s Day, the Winter solstice and the three major festivals of Longevity.
Process: Prepare the treasure table, incense table, musical instrument, bittern book and other facilities required by the Great Dynasty one day in advance. Three quarters before sunrise, civil and military officials waited outside the meridian gate, and then entered the imperial Palace from the left and right doors, and stood in respect of the east and west of the Hall of Supreme Harmony square. After the ceremony of playing music, entering the table, announcing the table and giving eulogy, the officials bowed to the emperor, danced three times and knelt to congratulate him.
Wedding etiquette
Overview: The emperor’s wedding is directly related to the rise and fall of the country, so the emperor’s wedding is the most grand celebration in the court.
Process: including gifts, gifts, ceremony and other links. The feasting ceremony is the emperor’s gift to the Empress’s family, and the feasting is the emperor’s banquet for the Empress’s parents. The Grand gift is a gift from the emperor to the Empress’s family. The coronation ceremony was when the emperor presented the Empress with a gold seal and book, symbolizing the Empress’s power. On the wedding day, the main palace in the palace to hang red happy characters and red silk, the central axis of the road to lay red felt, the road door to the red light hung high.
Sacrificial ritual
Overview: Sacrifice occupies an important position in the ancient court, the emperor and ministers will sacrifice, rite and other ceremonies to show their respect for the gods.
For example: New Year’s Day sacrifice, the Ming Dynasty emperor first in the ancestral temple, and then held a big court meeting in Fengtian Hall. The New Year’s Day celebration in the Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty included the opening of the Ming window, the offering of the son to heaven, and the great celebration. On the day before the New Year’s Eve, the emperor would personally go to the temple for a 祫 offering ceremony.
Third, the characteristics of court etiquette
Strict hierarchy: court etiquette strictly distinguishes between high and low, and people with different identities have different etiquette norms on different occasions.
Solemn and solemn: court etiquette is usually held on solemn occasions, such as the Hall of Supreme Harmony, dry Qing Palace, etc., the atmosphere is solemn and solemn, reflecting the supremacy of imperial power.
Rich and colorful: There are many kinds of court etiquette, covering politics, religion, social and other aspects, showing the rich and colorful life of the ancient court.
Fourth, the influence of court etiquette
Maintaining imperial power: Court etiquette is one of the important means to maintain imperial power, through strict etiquette norms, emphasizing the authority and status of the emperor.
Inheritance culture: Court etiquette is an important part of ancient culture, which has a profound influence on later generations.
Promote communication: Court etiquette is also an important bridge for cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. For example, when foreign envoys pay tribute, they need to follow Chinese court etiquette norms.
