Ritual and music system

The Ritual Music System (Chinese: 礼乐制度) is a social system that originated in the Western Zhou Dynasty. The Ritual Music system and Patriarchal Clan system were important parts of the culture.^[1] Legend says it was founded by the Duke of Zhou and King Wu of Zhou.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7]}

The system developed from older shamanic traditions^[8] and was seen as being spiritually important,^[9] it was seen as representing the balance between Yin and Yang^[9] and the Five Elements.^[9]

The regulations on ritual and music strengthened people's concept of hierarchy, played a symbolic role in establishing authority, alongside standardizing rule across the civilization.^[1]

References

1. "常识必背 | 什么是礼乐制度？_音乐_身份_阶级". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2022-07-20.^{[permanent dead link]}
2. 許之衡 (1968). 中國音樂小史. ISBN 9789570512731. Note some of alternate names given for these dances, such as Xianchi (咸池), Dashao (大韶), and Dazhang (大章)
3. Wang Kefen (1985). The History of Chinese Dance. China Books & Periodicals. pp. 12–13. ISBN 978-0835111867.
4. Zehou Li (2009). The Chinese Aesthetic Tradition. translated by Maija Bell Samei. University of Hawaii Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-0824833077.
5. Zehou Li (2009). The Chinese Aesthetic Tradition. translated by Maija Bell Samei. University of Hawaii Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-0824833077.
6. 許之衡 (1968). 中國音樂小史. ISBN 9789570512731. Note some of alternate names given for these dances, such as Xianchi (咸池), Dashao (大韶), and Dazhang (大章)
7. 中国文化史速读. 青苹果数据中心. 2014. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
8. China: Five Thousand Years of History and Civilization. City University of Hong Kong Press. 2007. p. 454. ISBN 978-9629371401.
9. Don Michael Randel, ed. (2003). The Harvard Dictionary of Music (4th ed.). Harvard University Press. pp. 260–262. ISBN 978-0674011632.