郊特牲，而社稷大牢。天子适诸侯，诸侯膳用犊；诸侯适天子，天子赐之礼大牢；贵诚之义也。故天子牲孕弗食也，祭帝弗用也。大路繁缨一就，先路三就，次路五就。郊血，大飨腥，三献爓，一献熟；至敬不飨味而贵气臭也。诸侯为宾，灌用郁鬯。灌用臭也，大飨，尚腶修而已矣。大飨，君三重席而酢焉。三献之介，君专席而酢焉。此降尊以就卑也。飨禘有乐，而食尝无乐，阴阳之义也。凡饮，养阳气也；凡食，养阴气也。故春禘而秋尝；春飨孤子，秋食耆老，其义一也。而食尝无乐。饮，养阳气也，故有乐；食，养阴气也，故无声。凡声，阳也。鼎俎奇而笾豆偶，阴阳之义也。笾豆之实，水土之品也。不敢用亵味而贵多品，所以交于旦明之义也。宾入大门而奏《肆夏》，示易以敬也。卒爵而乐阕，孔子屡叹之。奠酬而工升歌，发德也。歌者在上，匏竹在下，贵人声也。乐由阳来者也，礼由阴作者也，阴阳和而万物得。旅币无方，所以别土地之宜而节远迩之期也。龟为前列，先知也，以钟次之，以和居参之也。虎豹之皮，示服猛也。束帛加璧，往德也。庭燎之百，由齐桓公始也。大夫之奏《肆夏》也，由赵文子始也。朝觐，大夫之私觌，非礼也。大夫执圭而使，所以申信也；不敢私觌，所以致敬也；而庭实私觌，何为乎诸侯之庭？为人臣者，无外交，不敢贰君也。大夫而飨君，非礼也。大夫强而君杀之，义也；由三桓始也。天子无客礼，莫敢为主焉。君适其臣，升自阼阶，不敢有其室也。觐礼，天子不下堂而见诸侯。下堂而见诸侯，天子之失礼也，由夷王以下。诸侯之宫县，而祭以白牡，击玉磬，朱干设锡，冕而舞《大武》，乘大路，诸侯之僭礼也。台门而旅树，反坫，绣黼，丹朱中衣，大夫之僭礼也。故天子微，诸侯僭；大夫强，诸侯胁。于此相贵以等，相觌以货，相赂以利，而天下之礼乱矣。诸侯不敢祖天子，大夫不敢祖诸侯。而公庙之设于私家，非礼也，由三桓始也。
诗句：礼记 · 效特牲Translation: In the “Precepts of the Rites” titled “Effective Sacrifice,” it states, “For the sacrificial offering to the state and社稷, one must offer a large sacrifice. When the emperor visits a minister, he is served with a calf; when a minister visits the emperor, an elaborate banquet is offered, reflecting the principle of honoring sincerity.”
Key Points:
- The phrase “emperor visits a minister and is served with a calf” implies that in ancient times, the emperor was not expected to partake in the minister’s meal, as seen with the dietary customs wherein the emperor did not consume the calf provided for him but instead consumed food prepared for other purposes. This reflects the respect and humility inherent in the imperial office.
- The term “emperor serves an elaborate banquet for ministers,” indicating an elaborate feast on behalf of ministers, signifies the respect given to the emperor by the ministers. It also highlights the social hierarchy within the court.
- The line “reflects the principle of honoring sincerity” underscores the core value of the rites. Sincerity was highly respected in ancient China, as seen in various rituals that emphasized purity of intention, such as sacrificing animals with pure blood and refraining from consuming meat offered to gods and ancestors.
- The phrase “avoidance of eating the calf offered to the emperor during the emperor’s visit to a minister” symbolizes the court’s deference and modesty. This practice shows the deep respect for the imperial office and emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper protocol.
- The description “an elaborate banquet offered to ministers” illustrates the court’s hospitality towards officials. Such banquets were intended to be luxurious and lavish, reflecting the high status and influence of the ministers within the government hierarchy.
- The phrase “showing respect for power through ceremony” further emphasizes the role of ritual practices in conveying respect and power dynamics within society. These practices often reflected societal norms and expectations regarding hierarchy, authority, and etiquette.
- The mention of “the principle of honoring sincerity” underscores the importance of ethics and moral principles in the conduct of rituals. These principles were essential for maintaining order and maintaining societal harmony.
- The phrase “reflecting the harmony between yin and yang” underscores the balance between opposing yet complementary forces in nature and the worldview reflected in ritual practices. The emphasis on yin and yang symbolizes the balance required for harmony and balance within society.
- The line “revealing the mutual exchange of respect” emphasizes the mutual obligations and duties within relationships, especially those between rulers and subjects, showing the importance of respect and obedience in these relationships.
- The phrase “reflecting the harmony between heaven and earth” suggests the profound impact rituals had on shaping societal values and beliefs. They not only reinforced existing customs but also shaped new ones based on ethical principles.
Interpretation:
This passage from the “Precepts of the Rites” offers insights into ancient Chinese rituals and societal values. It underscores the importance of sincerity, modesty, and respect in public and private interactions, as well as the hierarchical structure within the court and society at large. These principles continue to shape modern-day customs and behaviors in many cultures, highlighting the enduring relevance of ethical considerations in human interactions.