A Study Of Commendation System In Sui-Tang And Five Dynasties

As a system to encourage customs and educate people,commendation system is used to honor people with noble morals and outstanding behaviors.It reflects the moral spirit of ancient Chinese society and is the vane of ancient Chinese society and culture.During the Sui,Tang and Five dynasties,commendation system was perfected,which was inherited from the Han dynasty,Wei and Jin dynasties,followed by the song,yuan,Ming and Qing dynasties.It is an important period for the system to change from good and civilized customs to moral constraints.It plays an extremely important role in the history of ancient China’s system.In Sui,Tang and Five dynasties,the objects of the memorial are mainly loyal officials,filial sons and grandchildren,living together for generations,women and martyrs,hermits.The ways of the memorial are not only material rewards such as reward in kind,relief of taxes and corvee,but also spiritual rewards such asbestowing official titles,benefitting descendants,memorial gate,changing their residence,carving stones and steles,and recording in history books and so on.The commendation procedure is divided into local commendation and central commendation,the central commendation is the highest level of the commendation,the process is more complex and strict than the local commendation.During the Sui,Tang and the Five dynasties,the commendation system had some changes in its objects,ways and procedures.In Tang dynasty,the examination of commendation had its rudiment.In the Five dynasties,the loyal and virtuous scholars who were framed to death were included in the scope of commendation,and a new way of supporting their parents with the salary of the martyrs appeared.The commendation system of Sui,Tang and Five dynasties also played an irreplaceable role in beautifying customs,civilizing the people,manifesting the virtue of rulers and maintaining the rule.