Diagram of Shaking the Gate Bolts

The Sovereign's Seat

Ascending the Hall

Climbing the Steps

Lifting the Hem of the Robe

This marks the positions for the various ranks of ministers.

The Ceremonial Screen

The Sovereign looks upward in contemplation

The place where the empty bamboo baskets remain

This marks the positions for the various ranks of ministers.


Shaking the door leaf	The minister exits, shaking the gate bolt at the central door	The minister enters through the left gate bolt	Enters through the right gate bolt	The Sovereign enters, shaking the door leaf	Shaking the door leaf

This diagram illustrates the ritual movements and positions for the monarch and ministers in a ceremonial hall, specifically detailing the protocol for entering and exiting through gates by "shaking the gate bolt" (original: Zhen Guan 振關). This act served as a formal announcement of one's presence.

original: "She Zhi" (攝齊). This is a specific ritual instruction for climbing stairs; a minister must lift the hem of his long ceremonial robes to ensure he does not trip or step on the fabric, maintaining a dignified appearance.

Gate Bolt (Guan): In this ritual context, "shaking the bolt" means to rattle the door handle or the locking mechanism. It is a gesture of politeness intended to notify those inside the hall of an arrival, preventing a sudden or startled encounter.

The Screen (Ping): A large, often decorated screen placed behind the seat of authority or at the entrance. It serves both as a physical barrier and a symbol of the "hidden" or "protected" nature of the sovereign.

Bamboo Baskets (Fei): Ritual containers used to hold offerings such as silk, fruit, or sacrificial meats. The mention of "empty baskets" (xu fei) suggests a specific stage of the ceremony where offerings have either been removed or are waiting to be presented.