Study On Clan Emblem Of Ya From Dynasty Shang And Zhou

The clan emblem is a necessary information in the research of Dynasty Shang and Zhou.However,for a long time,there exist huge diversions and arguments due to a shortage of data and the length of time,which all make the researches harder than expected.Among those the clan emblem,Character Ya(亚)plays an important role,for its frequent appearance on bronze ware and in the graves of emperors of Dynasty Shang.This thesis focuses on a general analysis on the Ya(亚)character,which is divided into three parts:The argument on the nature of Character Ya(亚);The social status of Ya(亚)in Shang and Zhou;How the values of Ya(亚)passed down.First of all,the thesis introduces a retrospection on the researches of the clan emblem,and makes a clear acknowledge of fruitful results and also,problems.On the basis of existent foundations,the thesis delves into a further study of Ya(亚).The first section is about the nature of Ya(亚),which is the premise of all our researches on the issue.First,we summarized the data of Ya(亚)from Dynasty Song till now,on base of that,we analyzed all our findings.We conclude from four aspects:bronze ware,oracles,bronze inscriptions and sacrificial systems.The four aspects tell the same truth:Ya(亚)can not be defined as a sole meaning,on the contrary,it contains more than just one meaning.Among all those meanings,we can determine the meaning of is in its original meaning,namely "temple".But the reason why the temple is Ya(亚).Still,the thesis furthers into the relation between the two opinions.Above,we have analyzed the source of Ya(亚),inspired by Zhang Maorong ’ s opinion:after Shang’ s destruction of Zhou,Shang phased out the clan emblem and Riming.Next,we focus on the existence of Ya(亚)during the whole Shang dynasty,and also the staging out of the character.The second section focuses on the development of Ya(亚).This section is divided into two parts.First,on top of what we have learned from Zhang Maorong’ s articles,we analyze the measures Zhou took to stabilize its governing after its destruction of Shang.Also,how did the measures shake the existence of Ya(亚).The clan emblem is an essence of Dynasty Shang.After Shang’s destruction,Zhou took every possible way to erase the existence of its former dynasty.As a result,Ya(亚)reasonably phased out the history,during which process,Ya(亚)was gradually degraded in hierarchy,and finally to an end.However,we still treasure the concept held by people in Dynasty Shang,and Ya(亚)is the best proof we can learn from contemporary items we have excavated.Though Ya(亚)is no longer existent,the concept passes down.The third section focuses on the shape of Ya(亚)and its influence in modern society.The shape of Ya(亚)is a reflection of ancient people’ s acknowledge of the universe:they believed the sky was a sphere and the ground is like the shape of Ya(亚).The shape also influenced the social institutions of Shang:a direct proof is the structure of MingTang(明堂).We can even find the existence of the shape in culture,in different dimensions:the Chinese characters,turtles’ shells,and Chinese feng shui in architecture.Again,though Ya(亚)is no longer a daily existence in modern society,it is still an important reference in architecture,besides,it is also shaping our concept of the world even until now.Through Ya(亚),we can better understand the relation between self and surroundings,and can better build our personal characteristic.