A Brief Discussion On The Hierarchy And Transition Of The Rites Of Pilgrimage In Spring And Autumn Period

The rites of pilgrimage of Spring and Autumn period have originated from one of the five most important ceremonies of Western Zhou Dynasty--the rite of reception to guest. As a kind of significant etiquette of politics and diplomacy, the rites of pilgrimage became maturity in Western Zhou Dynasty, gradually declined in Spring and Autumn period and totally withered away in Warring States period. During the process of its development, the rites of pilgrimage are more than a kind of etiquette, but a type of ritual system which plays a continuing role in maintaining the rule of Zhou Dynasty. It is because of the rites can help to distinguish social status and maintain social hierarchy that promotes the rites of pilgrimage to produce a proper "patriarchy and consanguinity system". This system is reflected in all aspects of the rites of pilgrimage and makes a certain contribution to maintain the social order in Western Dynasty and Spring and Autumn period.In Spring and Autumn period, because of the feudal ethical code suffering extremely damage and the society losing its specification, the rites of pilgrimage gradually step into the decay period. Dukes arrogated in saluting to Zhou King. Hegemonies began to challenge the authority of Zhou King. Ministates became the dependencies of great powers. Because of the connotations and functions of some etiquettes began to change, the rites of pilgrimage hierarchy were inevitably affected. With the collapse of original patriarchy and consanguinity system which takes Zhou King as a core, a new hierarchy which takes the national power as the main measure basis was produced in the rites of pilgrimage and gradually took the place of the original hierarchy. Due to the patriarchal clan system and the square-fields system decayed in Warring States period, the rites of pilgrimage eventually withdrew from the historical stage, as well the new immature hierarchy.Most studies on the rites of pilgrimage in Spring and Autumn period focus on its content and decay, etc. Few of them concern its internal differences and has not made a systematic conclusion. This thesis focuses on the content and nature of the rites of pilgrimage in Spring and Autumn Period, and studies the transformation of the rites of pilgrimage because of the changes of the hierarchy. It can do some supplements for the study of the rites of pilgrimage in Spring and Autumn period.