服周之冕：《周礼》六冕礼制的兴衰变异

by 阎步克

Around the six color costume system in Rites of Zhou and its influence on the costume systems in the successive dynasties, this book discusses the relationship between costume ritual and political power. The six color costume system is really originated from the Zhou Dynasty. But the construction of the ""Rites of Zhou"" reflects the distribution of regime and theocracy in the Zhou Dynasty. There is the characteristic of common use for the monarch and his subjects. With the Confucianism respect in the Han Dynasty, Ancient Ritual Risorgimento emerges in the Chinese institutional history. At that time, the ancient costume system is brought back. Motivated by the confluence of channels and ideological trend of returning to the ancient times, and the ancient costume system is adopted again. At the same time, starting with the respect of monarch and practicality, the grades of costumes are adjusted according to the current ranks and structures. The different interpretation of the ancient costumes also causes many disputes. The tendency of rationalization and secularization finally results in the downcast of the costumes of the Zhou dynasty. The endless rise and fall and variation of the six costume colors in the Rites of Zhou reflects the complex relationship between costumes and power as well as between academy and politics in traditional China.

462 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2009