Abstract
During the Zhou to early Han dynasties, significant changes occurred in China's political, social, and cultural landscape. This era saw the emergence of new ritual practices that profoundly influenced individuals and society as a whole. Rituals, referred to as lǐ 禮 in Chinese, encompassed more than mere ceremonies. It constituted a comprehensive system of practices and social norms aimed at maintaining order and harmony. In this thesis, the concept of lǐ 禮 will be explored through the examination of excavated texts from Guodian, specifically Wǔ Xíng (五行) and Xìng Zì Mìng Chū (性自命出) in order to understand the fundamental ideas that shaped the belief and values of the society at that time. Through a comparative approach, it helps to identify commonalities, variations, and transformations of the concept, contributing to a deeper understanding of its complexities. These texts were chosen for their early historical significance, providing firsthand information on the Pre-Qin period and shedding light on personal and societal rituals and virtue. The result of this study has revealed that the concept of lǐ 禮 encompasses a multi-layered function that includes both the individual's relationship with society and their connection to the transcendent realm. It starts with the notion that the Heaven (tiān 天) gives a mandate (mìng 命) to an individual’s nature (xìng性). The four conducts of sagacity (shèng 聖), knowledge (zhì智), humane (rén 仁) and propriety (yì義) when work in harmony, will exist and function in lǐ 禮, helping the individual to cultivate and express emotions (qíng情) truthfully. Through constant practices, it can then yields virtuosity (dé 德) that helps the individual to connect symmetrically to society and the collective consciousness. Ultimately, it helps an individual realize the Way (dào 道) that Heaven shows him, and respond upward to the mandate that Heaven sends to him.