On The Rites And Music In The Ming Dynasty

Guest Rite, one of Five Ceremonies, is used in reception for the foreign tributary and the etiquette system between the court and foreign country, as well as an important part of China’s Ancient Rite System. Only through the harmonious synchronization between music and rituals, will the intrinsic meanings and values of the Rite System be demonstrated. The Guest Rite, as with other kinds of musical etiquette rituals, has significant political and diplomatic implications.Served as one of the important foreign policies regained by Emperor Yuanzhang Zhu, the founder of Ming Dynasty, the political implication of the Guest Rite System is more prominent. The rites and music set forth in the Rite System is an important foundation of the tributary system, as well as the diplomatic extension of Chinese ritual and musical civilization. That every country reveres ancient Chinese rites is process of the spread of the rites and music. The way of music used in the guest rite, spreading far in other countries with the frequent implementation of guest rites, especially in the hand of ritual system and court music in the neighboring countries in Ming Dynasty. So there is important theoretic and practical significance to search the spread track and influence of Chinese ancient ritual and musical civilization by combing out guest ritual system in Ming Dynasty both in content and essence and exploring the specific form of rites and music set forth in its system.This dissertation analyses and discusses the following questions in emphasis by using a vast amount of documental data and existing research results of reference. First, the reform, content and characteristics of guest ritual system in Ming Dynasty; Second, the specific conditions and music form of the way of using music under the guest ritual system in Ming Dynasty. Third, the communication and influence of rites and music set forth in the guest ritual system in Ming Dynasty for neighboring countries. This dissertation attempts to clarify the etiquette of guest ritual system and the condition of using music, reveals the impact and influence in the implementation process of the rites and music set forth in guest ritual system during Ming Dynasty. It is of important significance to understand the whole rites and music system in Ming Dynasty.