Research On The Official Dietary System In Song Dynasty

The Song Dynasty was the development period in China ancient society. The development of it’s economy and culture was not only far more than the Han and Tang Dynasties, but also could be compared with the Ming and Qing Dynasties.Along with the rise of the common people and the down of the aristocracy politics, the economy of Song Dynasty developed in a high speed and the dietary culture experienced a boom period of historical development in the promotion of the politic.In the subjective initiative of the ruling class and the the objective push of the dietary culture, the Song Dynasty formed its own unique official system in diet which based on the original dietary culture system of the Tang Dynasty. The official dietary system gradually improved, which was the reflection of the ruling class’ s concerning on the the system construction and the country culture and the performance of the spirit, aesthetic and social mentality in Song Dynasty.The official dietary system of Song Dynasty was divided into five historical stages:the initial formation in the early Song Dynasty,the gradual development in the middle period of Northern Song dynasty, the rapid prosperity during the period of Song Huizong, the restoration and reconstruction of the early Southern Song Dynasty and the decline of the late Southern Song Dynasty.The official dietary system in each historical stage was showing different characteristics.Overall, compared with the Han and Tang Dynasties, the official system in the Song Dynasty showed the historical characteristics of various forms,etiquette details and simple style.According to the nature of the diet activities, the content of the official dietary in Song Dynasty could be divided into three parts which was the national banquet,the total feast that the emperor and ministers joined together and the great party that the emperor gave.Characteristics of the national banquet is targeted, rich, etiquette, complex and large.The national banquet was an important part of the dietary system in Song dynasty, which not only reflected the country’s political spirit and civil servants political accomplishment,but also showed the image and dignity of the country.The total feast such as the leisure party and the holiday feast was the official leisure activities which was given in the peace period;such as the party of hearing the news was given to the social who passed the examination by the ruler.The characteristics of the total feast was active atmosphere, simple process and relaxed entertainment atmosphere.That feast have simplified the way of communication, promoted the emotional communication, maintained the harmony and improved the steady development of the political situation in the country. The great party was an exchanged banquet that the ruler and the ruled could communicate with each other happily and was granted by the Song government under special circumstances. The characteristics of this state party was having the long duration, affecting a wide range, containing strong benevolence.That was the true portrayal that the government of Song Dynasty ruled relaxed and generous and advocated fairness and freedom. That was also an effective way to win the heart of the common people and highlight the peace.It was the outstanding performance of social cohesion and centripetal force of the national prosperity to a certain extent.The official dietary system of Song Dynasty also contained granting flower system and impeachment system. Granting flower which was given to the secretary by the emperor of Song Dynasty was an new established dietary etiquette system on the basis of the Tang Dynasty. That was the most lively etiquette link. Granting flower system were given with different specifications.Officials of different grade level, then the species, the color and the quantity of the flowers were also different. Besides, implementation of giving flowers etiquette personnel would be different. The official dietary impeachment system was checked and impeachment system by the censor,the Xuanhuiyuan and the door supervision agencies according to officials in the dietary activities without leave,sound loudly, drunk, private ceremony and out of order at such misbehavior.This was in order to standardize the behavior of officials in the party, promote the improvement of the quality of officials and strengthen the public awareness of officials.