The Research On The System Of Bestowal Offical Position In The Liao Dynasty

Official Title Conferred Posthumously sprang up during the Western Han Dynasty,and after centuries of precipitation during the Wei,Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties,it formally became a national institution during the Tang and Five Dynasties,and was finally institutionalised during the Zhao and Song Dynasties.The custom of "Official Title Conferred Posthumously" did not exist among the nomads in the north,and tribal leaders were not given posthumously after their death.At the beginning of the Liao period,when the commonwealth was in its infancy,the old grassland custom was followed and Tai Zong Abaoji did not adopt the Official Title Conferred Posthumously.In the reign of Emperor Taizong Huitong,an official title system based on the Han system was initially established in the Liao dynasty,and "Official Title Conferred Posthumously" was created as a form of posthumous grief.The Official Title Conferred Posthumously of the Liao Dynasty can be divided into two parts.The Official Title Conferred Posthumously of the father and grandfather of officials of the Liao dynasty began in the Taizong dynasty and tended to become a regular system in the middle and late periods,with its content being mainly that of the eastern palace officials,ministerial officials and ambassadors,and the group of chancellors could posthumously give awards to their ancestors and fathers.The Official Title Conferred Posthumously of the Queen’s father and grandfather appeared in the King’s reign at the latest,and the Official Title Conferred Posthumously of the consort’s father appeared in the King’s reign,and the system was perfected after the Daizong reign,with the Official Title Conferred Posthumously content being dominated by royal titles,reflecting extra courtesy to the descendants.The Official Title Conferred Posthumously in the middle and late Liao dynasty was administered by the Official Chamber of the Privy Council,of which the official was the executive officer.Firstly,the Official Title Conferred Posthumously edict could be issued directly by the emperor.Secondly,after a direct family member has’requested a gift’,the Emperor issues an Official Title Conferred Posthumously edict,which is carried out by the official chamber of the Privy Council.Thirdly,the Emperor issued an imperial edict to be carried out by the Official Chamber of the Privy Council after the death of an official and the death of a local official had been reported to the Emperor.In terms of the relationship between Official Title Conferred Posthumously and posthumous honours,the relationship between Official Title Conferred Posthumously and posthumous honours for officials prior to the Daozong dynasty was less frequent,maintaining the trend of separation between the two during the Five Dynasties.Official Title Conferred Posthumously and posthumously for officials of the Daozong and Tianzuo dynasties both followed the Northern Song system to varying degrees,and maintained close ties between the two.The Official Title Conferred Posthumously of the Liao dynasty inherited the upper and lower dynasties,and it influenced the Official Title Conferred Posthumously system of the early Jin dynasty in terms of the categories,modes,institutions and contents of the paternal Official Title Conferred Posthumously.In addition,the Official Title Conferred Posthumously of the Liao dynasty had political significance in consolidating the ruling and close diplomatic relations;in the middle and late Liao dynasties,the Official Title Conferred Posthumously could raise the rank of funeral gifts and help the families of the deceased to deal with funeral matters.Inspiring people’s hearts and promoting filial piety were the social functions of Official Title Conferred Posthumously in the Liao dynasty.Although the Official Title Conferred Posthumously had a certain degree of influence and significance in the Liao dynasty,its limitations were obvious,and the excessive posthumous acts also hastened the demise of the Liao dynasty.