Yu Ritual System Of Ancient Chinese Study

Yu sacrificial rite which deals with drought and prays gods for rain is a kind of religious phenomenon in ancient society, and it is also a common cultural phenomenon in ancient civilization of mankind. Different to other nationalities, praying for rain is called "Yu sacrificial rite" in China, and Chinese use a set of propriety to standard it, so Yu ritual system become a remarkable signs of Chinese national culture type. With the development and changement of Yu ritual system, we can investigate its history and culture, and thoroughly analyze the manifestation and the inherent principle of this religious activities, and enhance people's scientific confidence to deal with natural disasters, this is the research academic purport of the article I engaged in.This text mainly takes the ruling class praying for rain in ancient Chinese society as the research object. I will union cultural anthropology, ethnology, sociology, theology to discuss and compare with Yu ritual system in different period, and I will combine the phenomenon of praying for rain with other regions in the world to find out the common and the difference, and use theories of Cultural Anthropology to settle it, wishing to have some benefit. To this, the article emphatically discuses Yu sacrificial rite in three parts:PartⅠ:This part mainly discuses that Yu ritual system which is common with other nationalities of the world is an old superstition means to deal with drought. In this section, through a large number of examples of the comparative analysis, we found that there are many similarities between Chinese ancient Yu sacrificial rite and other nationalities'praying for rain. For instance, the king in the early time is the kingship and theocratic incarnation, and they played a role of priest; when praying for rain they all use hex means, etc. Through the discussion of the section, I want to have an overall understanding of Yu ritual system, and further discussed the story and the content of Yu ritual system.PartⅡ:This part focuses on the overall investigation of Yu ritual system. This section is divided into three aspects:First, studying the origins and meaning of Yu. Though the analysis on these two problems, we can solve that why Chinese ancients say "praying for rain" for "Yu". Second, addressing the ceremony and characteristics of Yu ritual system in past dynasties, which is the main content of this section. According to the different features of Yu ritual system in various period, I mainly divide it into the following several periods to discuss:one, the prehistoric and xia-shang period. This is the original stage of Yu ritual system, during this time there had been not form a standard Yu ritual system ceremony. Second, the Zhou dynasty and the spring and autumn and warring states periods. This is the formation stage of Yu ritual system, Yu ritual system held a fixed time, place and normative music system. The rulers could accord their need to control and use Yu ritual system. Three, the Qin and Han periods. This is the recovery and development stage of Yu ritual system. At the same time of Western Han restored Yu ritual system of Western Zhou;they also accord the society popular concept of Yin and Yang to put a layer of mysteries on Yu ritual system. Four, the Wei and Jin and southern and northern periods. The development of Yu ritual system presented some new features, metaphysical popular in this period maded Yu ritual system appear mamy bizarre case, and coloring with a myth. Five, the Sui and Tang and five dynasties periods. This is the regression orthodox ritual stage of Yu ritual system, Yu ritual system in the time mainly emulated the rite of Zhou, but there were some slightly different. During five dynasty period Yu ritual system had some new development, the ceremony of Buddhist praying for rain was introduced into China. Six, the period of Song and Yuan and Ming and Qing. This is the mature stage of Yu ritual system, and in this period Yu sacrificial rite make innovation, there had been appeared many new method of praying for rain, and the ceremony program was also more complete. Third, discussing the shape of Yu altar and addressing the developing rule of Yu altar. Though examming the shape of Yu altar and expounding its development evolution, my purpose is making people have a exact understanding about Yu ritual system.PartⅢ:The part which is based on the last two parts mainly analysises Yu ritual system in ancient time with Cultural anthropology. This section is mainly divided into two parts:one, summing up the general features of Yu ritual system, including time, object and taboos. Yu ritual system is not simply a kind of morality, and it exists a lot of taboo phenomenon in the implementation, and taboos are the births of religion, so Yu ritual system is also colored with religion. Two, discussing the functions of Yu ritual system which was played in the ancient society, its functions is mainly include apotheosis kingship function, protect the ecological function and condense morale to strengthen solidarity function.