Zhou Dynasty Wedding Research

As the wedding ceremony of "scholar",scholar’s wedding is a special form of wedding based on humanistic ideas.Originated from unfixed marriage,it was formed during the period when Zhou Gong created the social institution before being prevalent in the Spring and Autumn period.This ceremony was recorded in the section Wedding of the Gentry and Faint righteousness in Observance.Nowadays,there are few works specifically discussing the scholar’s wedding in Zhou Dynasty,ignoring the status and significance of the "scholar".According to the Wedding of the Gentry in Observance,ancient scholars have to go through six ceremonies including adoption,name,Naji,collection,invitation,escorting before marrying,commonly known as the "Six Rites",which is featured by stylization and standardization instead of a random behavior.In fact,each ceremony has its own significance.For instance,the object of acceptance and invitation is to express respect and attention between two families.Asking name displays the emphasis on blood lineage of the people in Zhou dynasty.Naji shows that people of Zhou Dynasty attach great importance to divination.Acceptance of gifts highlights the characteristics of Zhou people’s emphasis on gifts and light wealth.As the core of ceremony,escorting expresses the process of constant familiarity and integration between men and women step by step through complicated ceremony and standard behavior.In addition,it is an important ceremony for the bride to truly integrate into her in-laws’ family.It also means the bride is recognized by her in-laws’ family,and it is also an essential content for the study of the Scholar’s wedding.Etiquette is the external manifestation of propriety and justice and is the main way to help people form moral customs.Through the tedious but short wedding ceremony,scholar’s wedding allows participants and spectators to have a subtle understanding of the etiquette and righteousness behind the ceremony,including the difference between men and women,the way to get along with the husband,the ethical order of the mother and son,the relationship between brothers,and the traditional virtues of careful pursuit of distant home and respecting ancestors.The marriage rites of the Zhou Dynasty internalized these ethical connotations into the hearts of the people through the form of "Inspire them with ritual civilization",influencing people’s future lives.Researching and understanding scholar’s wedding is beneficial to popularize the traditional wedding culture,shape the correct marriage view of the contemporary people,and cultivate their sense of responsibility and security towards marriage and family.At the same time,it is helpful to explore the leading role of the stratum of scholars in the wedding culture,highlight their important position,and provide important reference for solving the marriage problem at present.