“Imperial Edict of Mourning and Ceremony”
Emperor Guang said, “It is said: ‘Within the realm, tranquility reigns; weapons and armor are at rest.’ I, who am not wise, often fear missteps, ashamed to not uphold the virtuous legacy of my predecessor. As the years lengthen, I am fearful of not completing my duties. Now, fortunately, I have reached old age and am once again able to provide offerings at the ancestral temple. What cause is there for lament? Let it be decreed throughout the realm: officials and people, upon the third day after notification, shall cease wearing mourning attire. No prohibitions shall be placed on marriages, rites, feasting, or the consumption of wine and meat. Those required to observe mourning attire shall refrain from cutting their hair.
Belts and sashes must not exceed three inches in width; no cloth canopies or weapons shall be displayed. Neither men nor women shall wail at the gates of the palace. Those who are scheduled to mourn within the palace shall wail each morning and evening, observing proper rites before ceasing. Outside these designated times, unauthorized wailing is strictly prohibited. As for the interment, burial should be completed on the same day as the lowering of the coffin into the grave.
Mourning attire should be worn for fifteen days in deep red, fourteen days in light red, and seven days in plain fabric before being removed. Those not included in these regulations shall follow this decree in proportion to their circumstances. This decree shall be publicly announced to ensure understanding of my intentions throughout the realm.
The mountains and rivers of the Baling region shall remain as they are, not to be altered in any way. From the Empress and below, various ranks, including beauties, virtuous women, noble sons, and officials, totaling seven categories, shall return home to mourn, further demonstrating the severance of human relationships.
Commandant Yafu is appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry. Hanguan is appointed as General Stationed in Border Regions. Langzhong Wu is appointed as General for Filling the Graves. Additionally, sixteen thousand troops from nearby counties and fifteen thousand from the imperial city are to be mobilized. Guo Chuan and Lang Fu are appointed as auxiliary generals for the filling of graves.
On the day of Yisi, the burial ceremony at Baling took place. Emperor Xiaowen was posthumously honored. The Crown Prince ascended to the ancestral temple. On the day of Dingwei, he was posthumously named Emperor. In the first year of Emperor Jing’s reign, in October, an edict was issued to the Imperial Censor: “It is said that in ancient times, ancestors achieved merit and descendants upheld virtue. Rituals and music each have their appropriate origins. Singing is to express virtue, dancing is to illustrate achievements. At the Baling ancestral temple, toasts are made in honor of martial virtues, and the Wu De, Wen Shi, and Wuxing dances are performed.
During the reign of Emperor Xiao Hui, similar dances were performed at the Xiaowen ancestral temple. Emperor Xiaowen ruled the realm, opening up trade routes and borders without distinction between near and far. He eliminated false accusations and abolished corporal punishment, rewarding the elderly and supporting orphans and widows to nurture the population. He curtailed desires, rejected tributes, and did not pursue personal gains. Offenders did not escape punishment; the innocent were not wronged. He abolished executions, freed beauties, and demonstrated a complete break from previous norms.
I, who am not wise, cannot fully comprehend. These are all achievements not seen in ancient times, yet Emperor Xiaowen personally implemented them. His virtue was as deep as heaven and earth, his blessings reached all corners of the world, and all lived in prosperity. Even though the sun and moon are clear, the ancestral temple music does not meet the standard. I am deeply concerned about this. It is necessary to establish dances of moral virtue in the ancestral temple of Emperor Xiaowen to illustrate his virtuous achievements. Only then can the achievements and virtues of our ancestors be written on bamboo and silk, distributed for all generations, and last forever.
I deeply appreciate this. It should be presented as a ritual to the Prime Minister, marquis, middle-ranking officials, and ceremonial officials.” The Prime Minister, Shen Jia, and others said, “Your Majesty, always thinking of filial piety, established the dance of moral virtue to illustrate the magnificent virtues of Emperor Xiaowen. We are all ignorant of this. We humbly suggest that the ancestral temple of Emperor Gao should be the temple of Emperor Taizu, and the ancestral temple of Emperor Xiaowen should be the temple of Emperor Taizong. The Emperor should present offerings to the ancestors from generation to generation. The princes and nobles of various states should establish the ancestral temple of Emperor Xiaowen as the temple of Emperor Taizong. Princes, marquises, and emissaries should attend the emperor’s sacrifices every year.
Please write this on bamboo and silk and announce it throughout the realm.” The edict stated, “Approved.” The Grand Historian said, “Confucius said, ‘Only after three decades can a benevolent government be established.’ Good people can govern a country for a hundred years, and it is also possible to eliminate violence and killings.” Truly, these words are profound! The Han dynasty prospered, and Emperor Xiaowen ruled for over forty years, his virtue reaching its peak. Although he rectified the calendar and reduced the height of ceremonial headdresses, humility and deference have not yet been perfected to this day. Alas, is this not benevolence?
(Summary: The reign of Emperor Xiaowen was a period of great stability and cultural development in Han history, marked by significant reforms and ritual observances.)
This translation reflects the original style and context of the Chinese cultural expressions while ensuring clarity and coherence in English.