Late Imperial China and Its Social System Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 653 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 2

Chinese Ritual

Enforced Ritual as a Political Tool: Dogma in the Song and Yuan Dynasties

It is difficult for a student of today's world to not look back in awe at the rigid and ritualistic behavior of the Chinese during the periods of the Song and Yuan dynasties. By today's standards, these people's laws and rites demonstrate their ability to submerge individual advancement in order to comply with the social and group dynamics. Why would these, or any other people for that matter submit themselves to such ordered and disciplined ritual? The purpose of this essay is to examine the idea that these people were ignorant of scientific thought and relied on heavily disciplined and ritualistic behavior to make sense of their violent and paternally dominant society.

In Ebrey's translation of the rules of the lineage of charitable estate certain distinctions are brought forward to highlight strict self-discipline measures in order to prove dedication to a higher order. She highlights the strict dietary regimens that need to be followed in order for a successful transition of estates, this is all done in a collectivist fashion to prove a worthwhile follower's place in society.

Stuck Writing Your "Late Imperial China and Its Social System" Essay?

View All Our Example Late Imperial China and Its Social System Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

Unlike today's law seen in the west where more individual responsibility is granted in the transition of property during this time in China, diet, wardrobe and leisure behavior was all closely monitored and expressed to verify such a transition. These rituals which may not prove to be valued at a material level, do however demonstrate a strictness that resonates with the general Chinese forms of sacrifice in order to provide spiritual understanding.

Ebrey's translation of the ancestral rites of the people in China at this time also supports a dogmatic and unscientific approach to death and funeral. Ebrey pointed out that "domestic ancestral rites played an important part in fostering the solidarity of close relatives and worship at graves or in temples became important to the formation of coherence of descent groups" (p.….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Late Imperial China And Its Social System" (2012, November 04) Retrieved June 5, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/late-imperial-china-social-system-107626

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Late Imperial China And Its Social System" 04 November 2012. Web.5 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/late-imperial-china-social-system-107626>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Late Imperial China And Its Social System", 04 November 2012, Accessed.5 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/late-imperial-china-social-system-107626
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example