Pictorial Compendium of the Three Talents: Implements and Tools, Volume 1

Page 13

General Discourse on Tripods and Ritual Vessels

original: "Ding Yi Zong Shuo" (鼎彝總說). Ritual vessels, particularly the tripod cauldron (Ding), were the most significant symbols of authority and ancestral communication in ancient China.

The form of the tripod Ding is full of symbolism. When it is round, it symbolizes Yang The celestial, active principle; when it is square, it symbolizes Yin The earthly, receptive principle. Its three legs symbolize the "Three High Ministers" original: "San Gong" (三公), the highest ranking advisors to the Emperor, while four legs symbolize the "Four Auxiliary Officials."

Its "yellow ears" the handles or loops on the rim symbolize the balanced middle-path of human talent, and the golden carrying-bar symbolizes the decisiveness of talent. The tripod is decorated with the Taotie A common bronze motif featuring a gluttonous, mask-like creature to serve as a warning against greed. It features the shape of the cicada to house the idea of wisdom. It is decorated with cloud and thunder patterns to symbolize the merit of nourishing all things referring to rain, and displays the Kuilong A mythical one-legged dragon to symbolize unpredictable and divine transformations. As for specialized vessels like the "Ox Tripod" or "Sheep Tripod," each is decorated according to the symbolic nature of the animal it represents.

However, there are many specific names for these vessels:

• A tripod of great size is called a Nai.
• One that is round and narrows at the top is called a Zi.
• Those with handles attached to the exterior are called Xuan.

When they are named "Chong" or "Guan," it refers to the state of their origin. When named "Chan" Slander/Reproof or "Xing" Punishment/Law, the name records a specific event or legal matter. When named "Lao" or "Pei," it indicates a variation in how they are arranged during a ceremony. When called "Divine" or "Treasure," it represents the highest level of importance and weight.

Social status is strictly distinguished by the material used:

• The Scholar uses iron.
• The High Official uses bronze.
• The Feudal Lord uses silver original: "Bai Jin" (白金), literally 'white metal'.
• The Son of Heaven the Emperor uses gold.

This distinction is also seen in the number of vessels permitted: the Son of Heaven is entitled to nine tripods, Feudal Lords to seven, High Officials to five, and Scholars to three. These are the counts by which rank is recognized.