The Study On Flag Of The Song Dynasty

The development of political, military, economic, cultural and other areas promotes the massive augmentation of flags in Song Dynasty. Song government which absorbed cultural nutrition of ancient records, past events, astronomy, astrology and auspicious sign created a large sum of flags. At the same time, the number of flags is in creasing on the back of Song's economic growth and the rise of civil society. The flags of Song Dynasty classified into six types, including Qi, Dao, Fan, Hui, Mingjing and Qita which up to 195 species, exceeding any time before the Song Dynasty. In other words, the flag of Song Dynasty describes an important role in the history of flag.The flag of Song Dynasty played an important role in political, military field. There are four functions of flags in the political, including symbolizing someone or something, showing great deeds and prosperous,using of etiquette and security, delivering official messages. The functions publicized Song regime's legitimacy to subjects and political hierarchy which used to cultivate people's spirit of loyalty to the government. There are five functions of flags in the military, including commanding the battle, worshiping, showing some information of military, delivering military messages and warning enemy. They ensure military activity executed smoothly.The flag of Song Dynasty grow quickly with development of society which government implemented the policy of admiring literature and restraining military force, economies develop rapidly and the rise of resident's culture lead to widely use as a tool. There are nine functions of flags in society, including delivering economic messages, transmitting urgent messages indicating wind direction, driving atmosphere and festival atmosphere, carrying people belief, discriminating identifications of the dead, conveying someone's will and spreading their grievances. The widely application of the flag reflects the expanding the scope of its use and increasing function and society development.Cheqi system of the Song Dynasty has obtained the huge development in generations of foundation. The flags used by emperor the Song Dynasty primary are Dachang fastened in Yulu, Daqi fastened in Jinlu, Dachi fastened in Xianglu, Dabai fastened in Gelu and Dahui fastened in Mulu which all symbolize high status of emperor. These flags are used to admonished them obeying the power. Daqi of prince used fastened in Jinlu which showing respect for the prince. The prince of Song Dynasty do not have Jinlu in 1165 until 1173.The government of Song Dynasty ruled about ministers' flags of chariot which used worship ceremony, visiting to other countries, funeral and honor guard that is emperor's outing holding by his retinues. The design and the quantity of Liu of flags have changing since the Song Gaozong took power. These changes reflect the hierarchical structure. The system of Cheqi which is one of the important means of consolidating its dominance strengthened feudal sovereignty and established the position of ministers.The system of flags as an award was formed in Song Dynasty. The flags rewarded major objects are domestic secretary and vassal state and foreign. The incidents rewarded domestic secretaries which are military general flags mainly take place at the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, Huizong, Gaozong in Song Dynasty. Such behaviors not only expressed favor to military general, but implied encourage of continuing to work for emperors. The flags were rewarded for other countries including Zhancheng, Puduan, Dashi and so on which mainly occurred the reign of Emperor Zhenzong in Song Dynasty. On the one hand such behaviors displayed an air of prosperity, anther hand transferred the image of the great power.A series of relatively complete systems of make, storage, use of flags for effective management were established by rulers of the Song Dynasty. There are many agencies of making and repairing flags which were governed by central officials be set up by Song Dynasty including Dongxizuofang, Gongnuyuan, Zhizaoyuqianjunqisuo. In addition to Zuoyuan, Duzuoyuan and Tijubaojiasi governed by local officials also making and repairing flags. Besides, the government of the Song Dynasty adopted a series of measures to improve the management of the flags. Rigorous management about the storage of flags by Song Dynasty made. Many flags' storage agencies governed by central officials be set up by Song Dynasty including Chaofufawuku, Nei gongjianku, Junqiku, Neijunqiku and so on. In addition, Jiazhangku, Wuku or Wucang which governed by local officials also stored flags. Otherwise, a number of measures were adopted to manage or control flags which used action of politics, military training and folk activities,safeguarding state stability and social order. These effective managements ensure the political, military, social activities smoothly.The flags of the Song Dynasty formed some characteristics which different from previous flags at the background of economic prosperity and political stability. These characteristics included that the structure of Qi was immobilized, Dao and Mao which made of fur or feather were transformed into cloth, the picture of Qi was influenced by Taoism in early period of the Song Dynasty, the kinds of flags was increased. The structure, kinds and function of flags developed further on the basis of former generations. In conclusion, the flags of the Song Dynasty served as a historical connecting link between previous and later. It makes a positive contribution to political, military, economic and culture at that time and has a remarkable impact on later generations.