A Study On The "yu System" Of The Qin And Han Dynasties

Based on the academic trends and historical materials, the passage makes a research on the "yu system", a system about carriage rode by officials of the Qin and Han Dynasties, using theories and methods related to institutional economics. The passage includes three chapters as following:Chapter 1 is the general situation of the technology and carriage system from the Xian Qin Dynasty to the Qin and Tang Dynasties. With the analysis of the production technology, including the form and decorations technology of carriages, it is concluded that Chinese ancient carriage technology had been further developed by the Qin and Han Dynasties. Meantime, it investigates other related issues like carriage types within different hierarchies, ceremonies and corresponding guidance, maintenance of carriages, horses and bulls.Chapter 2 is about the development of the "yu system" and its characteristics. From the archaeological findings and the ancient reference materials, the "yu system" was established in the Qin Dynasty, which was changed into a stricter one in the age of West Martial emperor of Han Dynasties. When it moved to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), the "yu system" became completed and mature with three main features. First, it is a unified "yu system" and laid the foundation of Chinese ancient carriage system. Second, it is a perfect carriage system for government officials, with obvious characteristics of hierarchy. Third, all carriages is decorated luxuriantly. Moreover, the "yu system"of the Qin and Han Dynasties developed for three main reasons: the advanced technology, the development of commercial economy and people's culture values.Chapter 3 mainly makes a research on influence the "yu system" has had on social economy. Having investigated the relationship between the"yu system" and the state power, it found that different kinds of carriages is a political symbol, a symbol of state power. The "yu system" helped to maintain the hierarchy system among government officials, while the state power assured of the perfect "yu system" as well as its conduct vice versa. On the other hand, carriage-driving horses buried with the dead officials reflects the religious belief of people in Qin and Han Dynasties. The "yu system" with hierarchy characteristics encouraged the luxury climate in that times.The last part is the conclusion. Taking the "yu system" as the research object, it concludes that by the Qin and Han Dynasties, the technology of carriage making had developed to a new stage and a "yu system" with strict hierarchy characteristics, which had influence on that in later times, had been established by the Qin and Han Dynasties. With distinct characters of times, the "yu system" of the Qin and Han Dynasties plays a significant role in Chinese ancient carriage history.