A Study On Women' Views Of Mate Selection In The Tang Dynasty-Epitaph

The marital relationship is the key factor in starting a family and the most direct manifestation of social roles.Mate selection,as an indispensable prerequisite of marriage,reflects distinct characteristics of the times.During the period of the rise and prosperity of the feudal society,The Tang dynasty experienced the epoch-making transformation of connecting link between the Wei and Jin dynasties and Zhao Song dynasty.In the inter-ethnic communication,inclusiveness in race and tolerance in morality through absorbing others' advantages,advocating which are reflected in the following aspects:First,the ethnic policy of setting up "A big family without the ethnic distinction" is implemented by the dominator.People of Hu and Han nationality are allowed to get married so as to inspire their sense of national identity,absorb the advantages of two nations,and create a large space for women's mate selection.Second,Women are less constrained by etiquette,Chastity is indifference.women's social and active venues are broad,and there are strong times characteristics in marriage mating.First,From the criteria of mate choice,Early in the Dynasty,the family reputation is regarded as the critical condition of choosing mates.Women in every class are anxious to marry the men coming from the families of power and influence in order to improve their own social status.In the late Tang Dynasty,"wealth--talent"model of mate selection criterion is advocated,and the scope of choosing mates is expanded.There has to be said that the social change of the middle tang dynasty is another embodiment.Second,compared with the earlier period of 'Tang Dynasty,the ways of mate selection in mid-late period shows democracy and initiative.Although women respect"parents' arrangement",they still can break the constraint of social classes,which has the preference for the men in high social status,and the makes those in lower classes alternative.Women's choices and satisfaction are respected.Although "matchmakers'introduction" is still emphasized,the matchmaker in this period changes the traditional image.The changing features can be summarized to three aspects:identity pluralism,professionalization,and higher status.The notion of "predestined marriage"has a long history.It is inseparable from the socialization of Buddhism.The idea of mate selection changed following the sequence of "parentage-wealth-talent",and"emphasizing parents' opinions-emphasizing women's feelings".Giving play to its positive social effects.The achievement of "Independent mate selection" benefits from the stability in the development of the political and economic situation and the tolerance of social and historical environment.No matter whether the women are from honored or common families,with the promotion of their abilities in literature and skills,they all can be more autonomous,independent and more strict in choosing mates.To sum up,in the Epitaph as the center,Adapt to changing times.lends together the ethnic spirit,with women "standards" and "way" as the main line,Besides,this thesis will also verify the changes in women's mate selection that they“breaks the restriction of social class","regards the wealth and profit as importance","shows their initiatives",and "emphasizes on the emotional interaction",this thesis will demonstrate the evolution of women's status in the Tang Dynasty which changes"from low to high" from the perspective of the view of mate selection.