Rebun America: The Book Of Rites "aesthetic Thought,

"Li"is the core idea of Chinese culture, owning abundant intension. To have a study of the beauty of"Li", we should draw support from"Wen", extracting the aesthetics from the forms of"Liyi".The thesis consists of four chapters. Chapter one defines beauty of"Liwen". With the help of achievement made in paleography, chapter one analyzes the meanings of the Chinese characters mentioned in"Liji", such as"Li","Yi","Wen", and"Mei", which is a process from"Li"to"Liyi"to"Liwen", a one narrower and narrower in category, so that"Li"is defined comparatively clearly and easily to understand. The aesthetics of"Liwen"is interpreted from chapter two to chapter four. Chapter two mainly expounds the beauty roused by presentation. The degree of density of"Liwen", in the first place, is the beautiful and attractive physical appearance as well as presentation through"Cuo hua"of"wen". This chapter begins with the description of decorative patterns and colors of utensils and clothing for social rites and the heavy and complicated ceremony process to analyze the presentational beauty which is fine, magnificent and blindingly bright so as to be considered the most genuine. In chapter three, the beauty of administration of"Liwen"is discussed. Implied by the fine and magnificent social rites is the function of"Li", to cultivate the people and administrate the country. The administrating methods and lecturing strategies of"Li"are saturated with aesthetic meaning of"Wen"rather than naked suppression. As a result of that,"Liwen"is the very aesthetic form. Chapter four discusses the beauty of compromise. Under the repercussions of the theory that Man is an Integral Part of Nature, the ancient people follow the ways of heaven, availing of"Li"to polish society which, therefore, is more stable and in good order in construction, so that the harmonious beauty is expressed prominently. What people do is considered to be elegant if it is compatible with what"Li"requests. Chasing the aesthetic idea of"big neutralitya and infinite integration"is perceived from social construction and the cultivation of moral quality.