A Study On The Dowry And Dowry In Qin And Han Dynasties

Betrothal gift and dowry is an important part of the wedding, in the ancient society, betrothal gift even become the mark of the engagement. Different countries, social systems and traditional, will have different marriage modes. The type and connotation of the betrothal gift and dowry are different too. The feudal marriage system in ancient china for thousands, its basic has builded in the zhou dynasty and still in use. The Qin-Han dynasty over400years is a period of great prosperity in chinese feudal society. The economy has made great stride in development, the betrothal gift and dowry’s species and quantity has greatly changed. They have become the most expensive project during the wedding, the extravagant expenditure on the wedding has a far-reaching effect on Han dynasty society and its later social.The first chapter mainly illustrates the the type and cultural connotations of betrothal gift of Pre-Qin period and Qin&Han period. The different social classes there are different kinds of betrothal gifts and etiquettes, that showed the obvious class brand. The Pre-Qin period people pay more attention to the symbolic significance of gifts, but to Qin&Han dynasty, present’s economic value took over the important position.The second chapter mainly illustrates the type and cultural connotations of dowry of Pre-Qin period and Qin&Han period. During Pre-Qin period mainly by the noble Ying marriage system as an example, introduces the main dowries content:concubines, male slaves, bronze dowry ware Ying device. During Qin&Han period, each class according to their economic status, there are different amount of dowries for their daughter. No matter the type and amount of the dowries, all of these have showed the parents’ love and blessing to their daughter.The third chapter mainly illustrates the betrothal gift and dowry’s culture significance during the Pre-Qin period and Qin&Han period. The dowry shows respect for women and the sincerity of men. It can avoid some impetuous behaviour during the marriage. The dowry can protect the bride to prevent discrimination and have a happy life after marriage.The fourth chapter discusses the betrothal gift and dowry have changed from symbolic significance to the value of money during the Pre-Qin period and Qin&Han period. The evolution from different causes, although the ruler has enacted laws to strictly prohibit extravagant wedding, but most are just a dead letter. Marriage extravagant phenomenon is not controled. This maked the society after Han have varying degrees of existence marriage extravagant phenomenon. The huge wedding cost has impacted the normal marriage, and even produced a series of rules that not to bring up girls.In short, the study of betrothal gift and dowry of Pre-Qin period and Qin&Han period, will help a comprehensive understanding of the ancient Chinese marriage form, characteristic and the influence of social culture...