Ceremonial Standards and Implements in Ancient China

The ancient Chinese used the tenth month to start the New Year and offered morning greetings. The ceremonial attire included standards, mao, and flags.

Interpretation of Standards: “Jing” refers to precision in sound, “mao” refers to fur, and “qi” refers to flag. According to the Zhou Li: “Feathers were used for standards, and bear and tiger skins were used for flags.” The standards were made from fur to resemble bamboo knots. In the Han Dynasty, it was recorded that “Su Wu held his standard while shepherding under the Xiongnu, and all the feathers on the standard had fallen off.”

Explanation of Black on Top: Water virtues belong to the northern direction, hence the use of black on top.

Use of the Number Six as a Measure: Symbols and laws had crowns that were six inches tall, chariots were six feet long, and steps were measured as six feet. According to Zhang Yan: “Water is associated with the north, black, and the number six, hence six inches for the symbols and six feet for the steps.” Zan said, “Six feet was the measure of steps.” Qiao Zhou said, “Steps are measured by human feet, not just by Qin standards.” According to the Record of Rites: “In ancient times, eight feet was the measure of steps, but in the Zhou Dynasty, six feet and four inches became the standard for steps. The measures of steps also varied.”

Renaming the River as Virtuous Water: This change marked the beginning of virtuous water. The laws were stern and deep, and all matters were decided according to the law. There was no kindness or benevolence unless righteousness and justice were combined to complete the five virtues. According to the Index of Hidden Meanings: Water governs the Yin, and Yin punishes with death, hence the need for strict laws to align with the five virtues.

Enforcement of Strict Laws: Long-term offenders received no pardons.

Prime Minister Li Si and others said, “After defeating the feudal lords for the first time, the Yan, Qi, and Jing regions are distant. It is inappropriate to appoint kings there to avoid filling them up. We propose appointing princes, subject to Your Majesty’s approval.” Emperor Qin Shi Huang consulted his ministers, and all agreed it was beneficial. Court Minister Li Si proposed, “In the Zhou Dynasty, many relatives with the same surname were granted fiefs, which led to disputes and conflicts like blood feuds. The feudal lords attacked each other, and the Zhou emperor could not prevent it. Now, thanks to Your Majesty’s divine unity over the realm, all have become commanderies and counties. Princes and meritorious officials are given public duties, and their taxes and rewards are heavy. This is enough to facilitate governance. With the realm unified and no discord among the people, peace and stability can be achieved. It is not advisable to appoint feudal lords.”

Emperor Qin Shi Huang said, “The whole realm has suffered from endless warfare due to the presence of feudal lords. Relying on ancestral temples, the realm was initially settled, but now establishing new states would only raise soldiers. Seeking peace amidst such circumstances would indeed be difficult! Minister Li’s proposal is accepted.”

Division of the Realm into Thirty-Six Commanderies: Thirty-six commanderies included Sanchuan, Hedong, Nanyang, Nanjun, Jiujian, Zhangjun, Kuaiji, Yingchuan, Dangjun, Sishui, Xuejun, Dongjun, Langye, Qijun, Shanggu, Yuyang, Youbeiping, Liaoxi, Liaodong, Daijun, Julu, Handan, Shangdang, Taiyuan, Yunzhong, Jiuyuan, Yanmen, Shangjun, Longxi, Beidi, Hanzhong, Bajun, Shu County, and Qianzhong, and Changsha, totaling thirty-five, plus the Neishi made it thirty-six commanderies. According to Customary Practices: “In the Zhou Dynasty, the emperor’s domain extended to a thousand li, divided into hundreds of counties, each of which had four commanderies.” Qin Shi Huang initially established thirty-six commanderies to supervise the counties.

Appointment of Governors, Officers, and Supervisors: According to the Book of Han: “Qin’s commandery governors oversaw the governance of their commanderies; there were cheng, wei, and jian, who assisted the governors in military, administrative, and judicial duties.” Renaming the populace as “Qianshou.”

Great Celebration: The weapons collected from all over the realm were gathered in Xianyang, melted down to make bronze men, twelve in total, each weighing a thousand stone. According to Annotated Glosses: “In ancient times, bronze was used as weapons.” The bronze men were forged and depicted. During the twenty-sixth year, a giant man was seen at Lintao, so weapons were melted down and cast in his likeness. Xie Cheng’s Later Han Book says, “The bronze men were named Weng Zhong.” The Annals of Three Fu states, “The twelve bronze men weighed a total of 340,000 catties. During the Han Dynasty, they were stationed in front of the Chang’an Palace Gate.” The Records of the Three Kingdoms say, “Dong Zhuo destroyed ten of the bronze men to make coins, leaving two remaining. Shi Jilong moved them to Ye, and Fu Jian moved them to Chang’an and destroyed them.” The Records of Heroes states, “In the past, a giant man was seen at Lintao, and bronze men were cast. During Dong Zhuo’s time, the bronze men were destroyed.”

Establishment of the Heavenly Palace: Standardizing weights and measures to one standard. Chariots had standard tracks, and writing used standardized characters. From the east to the sea extended to Joseon, west to Lintao and Qiangzhong, south to Beixianghu, and north along the Yellow River to Liao Dong. Transferring the wealthy from all over the realm to Xianyang, totaling 120,000 households. Temples, the Zhangtai, and Shanglin were all in Weinan. Whenever the realm conquered a feudal lord, their palaces were moved and built on the northern slopes of Xianyang.

From the north to the sea and reaching Joseon: Joseon is the northeast region. The Detailed Records of Geography states, “Goryeo ruled the city of Pyongyang, originally the Han’s Le Langjun Wangxian City, which was also the ancient Joseon.”