Five sets of rites
China is a nation of etiquette, and rites are at the core of traditional Chinese culture. During the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.), traditional etiquette was refined and its guide- book, the "Rites of Zhou", categorized elaborate ceremonial etiquette into five sets of rites: the auspicious rites, the congratu- latory rites, the hospitality rites, the military rites, and the inaus- picious rites. While the system evolved after the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 25), China's ritual system continued to center around these five sets of rites.
The first set of rites, that is, the auspicious rites, involved offering sacrifices to heaven, the earth, and various spirits. The congratulatory rites dictated the way ceremonial events were held, such as enthronements, homage to rulers at festivals, marriages of nobles, capping rites for young males, royal banquets, and community gatherings with rural elders. The hospitality rites were about welcoming guests, including the etiquette for hosting scholars and conducting diplomatic exchanges between allies. The military rites referred to the ritual practices related to ancient military activities, such as summoning and organizing troops, constructing city walls, and repairing boundaries, roads, and ditches. The inauspicious rites were related to funerals and disasters, including mourning the dead, offering condolences for victims of disasters, and showing sympathy for other states in times of misfortune. Together, these five sets of rites provided a basic framework for the ancient ritual system and had a profound influence on subsequent ritual practices in feudal society.
五礼
中国是礼仪之邦，“礼”是中国传统文化的核心价值观念。西周时期，传统礼仪文化不断完备，其礼仪制度《周礼》将内容繁复的礼仪划分为“五礼”，即吉礼、嘉礼、宾礼、军礼、凶礼。汉代以后的礼仪制度虽有演进和变化，但基本上仍然围绕“五礼”进行建设。
吉礼是五礼之首，主要是对天神、地祇、人鬼的祭祀典礼。嘉礼指节庆活动等具有喜庆意义的礼仪，主要用于君主登基、节日受朝贺、公侯大夫士婚礼、冠礼、宴飨、乡饮酒礼等。宾礼是接待宾客的礼仪活动，包括读书人相见的礼仪、邦交国之间的外交往来等。军礼是指古代军事活动方面的礼仪，例如召集和整顿军队，修筑城池，整修疆界、道路、沟渠等。凶礼是与丧葬、灾难相关的礼节。包括哀悼死亡的丧礼，哀吊灾祸的吊礼、抚恤遭受不幸时他国的恤礼等。“五礼”确立了古代礼仪制度的基本结构，对封建社会历代礼制产生深远影响。
