The Establishment of National Rites and Royal Authority during Early Chosŏn

Journal Title: International Journal of Korean History - Year 2005, Vol 9, Issue 1

Abstract

Confucian rites and ceremonies can be regarded as the symbolized expressions of a conceptual and abstractive political and social ideology that was based on a perception of Confucian classics (kyŏnghak) which was given substance through ritual activities (haengnye). In the premodern era, rulers in East Asia perceived the need to use the symbolism of rites (禮, ye) rather than physical compulsion to effectively generate and maintain political authority. The <Shuowenjiezi (說文解字, Elucidations of the Signs and Explications of the Graphs)> Compiled by Xu Shen explains the etymology of ye as the description of a person worshipping a god by dedicating an offering in sacrificial vessels. 1 Along with exhibiting the religious attributes of rites (ye), such an explanation makes evident that the process of rites (ye) was used as symbolism to convey the fact that the person who played the leading role in the ritual ceremony had in effect received a mandate from heaven.

Authors and Affiliations

Hyung-ju Han

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP26312
  • DOI -
  • Views 340
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How To Cite

Hyung-ju Han (2005). The Establishment of National Rites and Royal Authority during Early Chosŏn. International Journal of Korean History, 9(1), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-26312