The connotation of ritual and music culture
The essence of rite is “difference,” that is to say no matter rich or poor, honorable or humble, young or old, intimate or aloof, people of every group have to follow their regulations of conduct, and should not exceed. Every one’s duty, power and incumbency are confirmed by the classified social status under this order system.
Put emphasis on difference without harmony, the society would go discordant. How to promote great harmony and tolerance in this rating society? Through music. It cast as a ligament, teaching people to a harmonious life. If the monarch and officials listen to music together in the great hall, officials will become more respectful to the lord; if youths and elders of a same clan listen to music together in the town, youths will become more obedient; if father and sons listen to music together at home, they will become more intimate. Thus the Duke of Zhou laid down rules of “music” together with “rites.” Rites for differentiating and music for harmonious synthesis, these two are inseparably interconnected and play a part together.
The ritual and music system of the Zhou Dynasty regulated people’s conduct to follow the moral and social order, which not only kept the dynasty for 800 years, but also laid a solid foundation for the ultimate founding of a unified culture fixed by the Qin and Han empires.
The significance of ritual and music culture in modern times
The substance of ritual and music culture has the value of imbibing and building a harmonious society for modern China. The concept of order and harmony has both the meaning of code of ethics from immanent consciousness and regulation of conduct from exterior restriction. It has positive effect on strengthening the appetency of the society and people’s socialization by some kind of ritual form to adjust patterns of behavior.
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