The Book of Rites, also known as The Book of Rites for Xiao Dai, is one of the classic works of Confucianism and an anthology of various etiquette works from the Warring States Period to the Qin and Han Dynasties. It is said that it was compiled by Dai Sheng, a scholar of the Western Han Dynasty. The Book of Rites is an important work to study the social situation, laws and regulations and Confucianism in ancient China. Its content can be divided into two categories: the general theory of rites and music and the system of rites and music.
It mainly records the emergence, content and changes of the etiquette system in the pre-Qin period. It is an important material for studying ancient history and has high literary value. Its position in history is second only to the Analects of Confucius, comparable to Mencius and far beyond Xunzi. * * * 49 articles. It mainly records the pre-Qin Confucian philosophy theory, political thought, education system, lifestyle, life norms, etc. It is rich in content and involves all aspects of social life.
The Book of Rites has a far-reaching influence on later generations and is one of the "three rites" (Book of Rites, Zhou Li and Yi Li). It was listed as one of the "Five Classics" in the Tang Dynasty and later as the "Thirteen Classics", bearing rich traditional culture.
The Importance of The Book of Rites
The Book of Rites is an important book of rites in ancient China, which embodies the necessity, importance and operability of etiquette life. It not only expounds the indispensability of ritual and music activities to social and political life, but also provides a reference model for later ceremonial activities through the records of specific ceremonies.