The "Syncretism Of Heaven And Virtue" In The Narration Of Family History In Zuo Zhuan

As an important history book of pre-Qin period, Zuo Zhuan not only depictsdetailed historical facts of the rise and fall of families in different feudatory states, butalso has an explanation of the reasons that lead to the development of a family. Andthe explanation exactly reveals the historical view of “the syncretism of heaven andvirtue”in the narration of family history which means heaven shifts on “virtue”. Forthe family history presented by Zuo Zhuan, the academia has an detailed studywhich is basically about historical facts and patriarchal system. Yet scholars scarcelydo research on the thoughts behind the historical facts. Therefore, it is of greatsignificance for pre-Qin historiography to study the view which Zuo Zhuan is basedon to write family history in terms of history of historiography.The connotation of “virtue” in Zuo Zhuan is abundant and multiple factors such aspersonal conduct, political norms, patriarchal ethics, Li (which means etiquette),popular feelings are involved. All these factors together work in the development offamily development. And Zuo Zhuan explains the rise and fall of a family accordingto these factors. On one hand, Zuo Zhuan puts emphasis on the conclusiveness ofheaven through forms of divination, astrology, and physiognomy. On the other hand,Zuo Zhuan attaches importance to “virtue” in the development of family history. With“virtue”, a family thrives under the blessing of heaven while without “virtue”, afamily declines by losing the support of heaven. Therefore,“virtue” bridged heavenand mortal. heaven and “virtue” co-determine the rise and decline of a family.Although rational facts such as expanding fiefs, increasing private force, reducingtax and cooperating with other families are described in Zuo Zhuan, when it comes to judge the rise and decline of a family, Zuo Zhuan is inclined to use “virtue” as thestandard. A family with “virtue” will be prosperous while a family without “virtue”will go toward the way of decline and fall.“virtue” is the principal factor to promotethe development of a family. There are occasions that a moral family declines. To givean explanation, it is that the heaven is no longer blesses the family. As a result, when“virtue” cannot give explain on why a family falls, there comes the conclusiveness ofheaven. However, heaven alone cannot decide the fate of a family as heaven is up to“virtue”. In a word, heaven blesses a family because it is moral. In order to emphasize“virtue”, Zuo Zhuan reveals the conclusiveness of heaven. It is both “virtue” andheaven that guides the narration of family history.To paraphrase the “syncretism of heaven and virtue” revealed in the narration offamily history in Zuo Zhuan, it can be said that Zuo Zhuan is approve of the decisiverole of “virtue” while it cannot get rid of heaven, so the two factors are mingled. Theappearance of the view is mainly caused by two reasons. One is the emergence ofrational thinking which put emphasis on human; the other is the official historianculture which is influenced by the theory of heaven and moral rules.