Why did bronze ware become an important symbol of ancient Chinese civilization?
Ancient bronze ware is one of the most important historical and cultural heritages in China. As recorded in ancient history "casting nine tripods in Xia Dynasty" is a sign to open the "home page" of Chinese bronze civilization; As the ancient saying goes "The Nine Cauldrons of the Heavenly Son" means supreme power. The bronze ware used as a "ritual vessel" has become a unique and precious heritage in the world.
The function of ancient Chinese bronze ware was mainly to worship the heavens and ancestors, and only the royal family and nobles could have such power. For example, the highest standard "tripod" in Chinese bronze ware is known as the "nine tripods of the emperor and seven tripods of the feudal lords" in ancient times. Bronze ware is a reflection of ancient Chinese political system.
China entered the Bronze Age around the 21st century BC BC. The Erlitou culture in the late Xia Dynasty is the earliest Chinese bronze culture in archaeological discoveries. The shape of bronze ritual vessels unearthed has begun to take shape, and the casting technology of ceramic block models has reached a skilled level.
The early and middle stages of the Shang Dynasty were important periods for the development of bronze ware, laying the foundation for the prosperity of bronze art.
From the late Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty, Chinese bronze culture reached its first artistic peak. The heavy liquor system of the Shang Dynasty ritual vessels was perfected, and a large number of decorative patterns on the vessels were combined with relief and flat carvings, which were exquisite and unparalleled; The animal face patterns with animal gods and monsters as the theme are unprecedentedly developed, both solemn, mysterious, and full of vitality; Chronicle style inscriptions began to appear.
From the middle of the Western Zhou Dynasty to the early Spring and Autumn period, the Zhou people gradually formed their own ideology and economic culture after overthrowing the Shang Dynasty. A significant change in style can be seen in bronze ware. The emergence of new types of vessels, with dignified and heavy shapes; The pattern or flow is smooth, or simple and simple; Heavy weapons with long inscriptions are common.
From the middle of the Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States period, the development of Chinese bronze art reached a climax again. The development of bronze ware in various vassal states tends to be mature, with the bronze art of Jin and Qin in the north, Qilu in the east, and Jingchu in the south complementing each other. Many strange and magnificent tools have emerged, and the inscription font also emphasizes beautification.
Until the late Warring States period, when "etiquette and music collapsed", with the decline of ancient Chinese etiquette, bronze ware also gradually declined.
Therefore, ancient Chinese bronze ware is actually an important symbol of ancient Chinese civilization, fully reflecting the "ritual system" in China's ancient political system. The development process of Chinese bronze culture is completely different from that of Western bronze civilization, which is why these unique and extremely diverse bronze vessels were formed in the world.
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