Old Ceremonial Regulations of Han Officials

卫宏Jun 2024

3.8

Word count: 11K words
Chapters: 5

Summary

China's traditional culture has a long and profound intellectual history, marked by a high degree of originality, inventiveness, and literary quality. Early forms of thought are highly distinctive: religious theology, classical texts of traditional Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and the Hundred Schools of Thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers—all are vast and profound. This "Essence of Chinese Classics" series preserves the original appearance of the source texts, with emphasis on conserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence handed down by the sages of antiquity, readers cultivate character and subtly come to appreciate the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Hanshu Yili (Old Ceremonial Regulations of the Han Officials) is a documentary work on institutions written by Wei Hong of the Han dynasty. This edition appears in the "Essence of Chinese Classics" series, retaining the original appearance of the text and emphasizing authenticity and transmission. Its value lies not in literary narrative but in institutional-historical material: it records fragments of the old systems of Han officialdom, ritual, and court ceremony, making it primary material for understanding the political operation and ritual order of the Han dynasty. It should be read as historical source material, with attention to the institutional logic behind the entries rather than with an expectation of a continuous story. The language is archaic and the arrangement fragmentary, so first-time readers may find it dry; precisely for this reason, it is better suited as a reference work and companion volume, read alongside Han histories. For readers who want to understand the origins of traditional official systems or to extend their introduction to Chinese classics, this book offers an authentic textual experience; for general readers seeking light reading, it requires patience and an awareness of its difficulty. Overall, it is a primary source on institutions that rewards slow reading, consultation, and cross-checking against historical works.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the origins of ancient Chinese official systems and ritual institutions
Readers of history and literature who read Han dynasty histories and need a reference on institutions
Readers beginning with Chinese classics who wish to encounter primary texts
Researchers studying or teaching the history of ancient institutions

Not a good fit for

General readers who prefer narrative and plot-driven reading
Beginners without a foundation in classical Chinese who hope for easy reading throughout
Readers expecting a systematic general history rather than a primary text

Reading tips

First read the table of contents and notes on structure to understand the distribution of entries, then select key sections for close reading
Read alongside the relevant treatises and biographies in the Hanshu, looking up official titles and rituals before reading
Keep a notebook and excerpt entries by category—official system, ritual—to build your own index
Do not feel obliged to read it straight through; keep it on your desk as a long-term reference work

版权信息
提要
钦定四库全书汉官旧仪卷上
钦定四库全书汉官旧仪卷下
汉官旧仪补遗

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no foundation in classical Chinese?

Not really. The book preserves the original appearance of the text, and the language is archaic and the arrangement fragmentary, so readers without experience in classical Chinese may find it hard to continue. It is advisable first to acquire some grounding in classical Chinese, or to read it alongside an annotated edition or Han histories, before approaching the primary text.

What is Hanshu Yili mainly about?

It is a documentary work on institutions written by Wei Hong of the Han dynasty, mainly recording fragments of the old systems of Han officialdom, ritual, and court ceremony. It should be read as historical source material rather than a storybook, with attention to the institutional logic behind the entries, and it can be cross-referenced with Han histories.

Which books should I read first to build a foundation for this book?

You can first read the relevant treatises and biographies in the Hanshu to gain a basic impression of Han official systems and ritual; you can also read general histories to understand the background of the period. With a framework in place, consulting and understanding the primary text will go more smoothly.

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About the author

卫宏 Author

Wei Hong: his official career, dates of birth and death, and nationality are not clearly recorded in publicly available sources, so his personal life cannot be described in detail. What can be confirmed is that one work stands under his name, The Old Ceremonial Regulations of the Han Officials (Han Guan Jiu Yi), commonly classified under literary appreciation. The book concerns the old ceremonial and official regulations of the Han dynasty and belongs to the category of writings on institutions and statutes. Its style is plain, consisting mainly of itemized ceremonies, offices, and ritual rules, with some court ceremonial lore, and it can serve later readers as a source for understanding Han official etiquette and the evolution of institutions. Because sources are limited, observations on his writing style and influence can only be brief: the work values factual record and orderly presentation rather than literary polish, yet shows care in organizing institutional details. Wei Hong's name survives in bibliographies through this book, and readers may glimpse fragments of Han ceremonial and official institutions through it.