allonlinenovel Chapter 156: Tang Dynasty Etiquette
Chapter 156: Tang Dynasty Etiquette
On a sunny weekend, the community activity center was bustling with people. People gathered here to participate in various colorful activities. In a corner of the event, Lin Xiao was preparing to share a wonderful lecture on Tang Dynasty etiquette, and this topic instantly attracted many curious eyes.
Lin Xiao, a scholar with profound research and unique insights into history and culture, wore a simple and elegant Chinese gown, with her hair tied up lightly, and exuded a classical charm in her every move. She stood on a makeshift podium, with a large screen behind her playing exquisite Tang Dynasty scrolls, creating a strong atmosphere for the sharing that was about to begin.
Lin Xiao began her story with a smile: "Dear friends, today let us travel through a thousand years of time together, into the glorious Tang Dynasty, to explore the unique and charming etiquette culture of that era." Her voice was clear and infectious, like a key, opening the mysterious door to the Tang Dynasty in everyone's hearts.
"The Tang Dynasty, as one of the most prosperous dynasties in Chinese history, has a rich and sophisticated etiquette that is breathtaking. Etiquette is not only a norm for social order, but also an external manifestation of people's inner cultivation and cultural heritage." Lin Xiao's eyes swept across the audience who were listening attentively, and continued, "First, let's learn about the court etiquette of the Tang Dynasty."
A magnificent palace scene was switched on the big screen. Lin Xiao pointed at the scene and introduced: "In the court of the Tang Dynasty, the strictness of etiquette was beyond imagination. The emperor's enthronement ceremony was an extremely grand and solemn ceremony. Since early morning, the inside and outside of the palace have been busy. The palace maids and eunuchs performed their duties and carefully prepared everything. The emperor, dressed in a gorgeous dragon robe, ascended the throne symbolizing supreme authority, surrounded by many officials and guards. The ministers had to line up neatly according to strict grades and positions, perform the ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows, and shout "Long live the emperor" to express their loyalty and respect for the emperor."
"Banquets in the palace are also an important manifestation of etiquette." Lin Xiao's words were accompanied by a switch of scenes. "Whenever there was a major celebration or when receiving foreign envoys, the palace would hold a grand banquet. The seating arrangement at the banquet had clear regulations. The emperor sat in the high seat in the center, the empress and concubines sat on one side in turn, and the ministers sat on both sides according to their official positions. During the meal, the palace maids would elegantly serve the guests exquisite dishes and fine wines, and the guests had to follow certain etiquette norms and not make noise or lose their manners at will."
The audience listened attentively, feeling as if they were there and experiencing the solemnity and luxury of the Tang Dynasty court etiquette.
Lin Xiao went on to say: "In addition to court etiquette, the social etiquette of the Tang Dynasty also had a wide influence among the people. In interpersonal communication, the greeting ceremony is a very important part. When people meet for the first time, they usually perform a hand-in-hand ceremony. Men put their left hand in front and their right fist behind; women put their right hand in front and their left fist behind. At the same time, they also bow their heads slightly to show respect."
"There are also many rules for addressing people. For elders, honorifics should be used, such as 'Sir', 'Mr', 'Madam', etc. For peers, you can address them by their courtesy name or official title. In correspondence, the beginning and ending addresses and expressions must follow certain formats and standards to show respect for the other party."
Lin Xiao paused, took a sip of water, and continued, "The wedding etiquette of the Tang Dynasty was also unique. The preparations for the wedding usually took several months or even a year in advance. On the wedding day, the bride had to get up early and dress up, put on a gorgeous wedding dress, and cover her head with a red veil. The groom had to wear a formal suit, ride a tall horse, and lead the wedding procession to the bride's house. The wedding procession was filled with music and drums along the way, and it was very lively. After arriving at the bride's house, the groom had to go through a series of tests, such as reciting poems and answering questions, before he could see the bride. After the bride was taken to the groom's house, a worship ceremony would be held. The couple had to pay tribute to the heaven and earth, their ancestors, and their parents, and then the couple would worship each other and become husband and wife from then on."
"In terms of funerals, the Tang Dynasty also had strict etiquette regulations. When someone died, the family had to notify relatives and friends immediately and set up a mourning hall at home. When relatives and friends came to pay their respects, they had to wear plain clothes and kneel down to pay their respects. The scale and form of the funeral varied according to the identity and status of the deceased, but they all expressed grief and respect for the deceased."
Lin Xiao's explanation was easy to understand and vivid, allowing the audience to have a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty.
"The etiquette of the Tang Dynasty was not only reflected in these important occasions, but also in daily life. For example, in terms of food, the people of the Tang Dynasty paid attention to dining etiquette. At the table, you have to wait for the elders to pick up their chopsticks before you can start eating; you can't make noises when chewing; you can't be picky about food or waste food. When sitting, you have to be upright and elegant, and you can't lean or cross your legs casually."
"In terms of clothing etiquette, the Tang Dynasty had a wide variety of clothing, and different occasions and identities required corresponding clothing. Officials had to wear formal official uniforms in the court, while ordinary people wore simple clothes. Women's clothing was even more colorful, from gorgeous court dresses to simple daily outfits, all reflecting the aesthetics and fashion of the Tang people."
Lin Xiao's eyes were full of admiration and respect for the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty: "The etiquette culture of the Tang Dynasty is an important part of the traditional culture of the Chinese nation. It not only shows the civilization and spiritual outlook of the people of the Tang Dynasty, but also leaves a valuable cultural heritage for future generations. In today's society, although we no longer follow the specific etiquette forms of the Tang Dynasty, the values contained in them, such as respecting others, focusing on self-cultivation, and observing order, are still worth inheriting and carrying forward."
After the lecture, the audience rushed to the podium to share their feelings and experiences with Lin Xiao. An old man said with emotion: "After listening to your lecture, I have a new understanding of the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty. We should draw wisdom and strength from traditional culture to make our society more civilized and harmonious." A young man said: "The etiquette of the Tang Dynasty is really charming. I will go back and study it carefully to pass on this excellent culture."
Lin Xiao responded to everyone's enthusiasm with a smile, feeling very pleased. She knew that through this sharing, more people would understand and love the etiquette culture of the Tang Dynasty, which was her greatest gain.