Sancai Tuhui (Vol. 43)

As for the Zun A high-shouldered wine vessel used in ancestral rites., there are six specific types. In the Zhou Dynasty, specific officials were appointed to oversee them, distinguishing their appropriate uses and the liquids they contained.

Consequently, those called the Sacrificial Zun original: 獻 (Xian), generally understood as 犧 (Xi), a vessel shaped like a sacrificial ox. and the Elephant Zun original: 象 (Xiang). A vessel decorated with or shaped like an elephant. were used during the Spring Sacrifice and Summer Sacrifice original: 春祠夏禴 (Chunci Xiayue). These were the first two of the four seasonal ancestral rites. for the morning offerings and the second round of libations.

Those called the Zhu Zun original: 著 (Zhu). An unadorned vessel, often placed directly on the ground to symbolize humility and antiquity. and the Hu Zun original: 壺 (Hu). A vessel shaped like a large pot or flask. were used during the Autumn Sacrifice and Winter Sacrifice original: 秋嘗冬蒸 (Qiuchang Dongzheng). The final two seasonal rituals of the year. for the morning offerings and the accompanying food offerings.

Those called the Tai Zun original: 泰 (Tai). An unadorned, "grand" vessel representing primordial simplicity. and the Shan Zun original: 山 (Shan). A vessel decorated with mountain motifs, symbolizing stability. were used for the retrospective sacrifices, the morning audiences, and for the morning and second libations.

As for the Erya The earliest surviving Chinese dictionary and encyclopedia, used to standardize ritual terminology., it does not use the general term Zun, but speaks of the Yi, You, and Lei as the primary vessels. This implies that the Yi, You, and Lei are all wine-containers of the Zun category. It is also believed that for every Zun there must be a Lei A large jar used for storing wine before it was poured into smaller vessels., just as for every Yi vessel there is a Zhou A tray or stand.. This represents another school of scholarly interpretation.

Furthermore, the use of Zun vessels in the world has a long history. The Tai Zun was the vessel of the Yu Clan The lineage of the legendary sage-king Shun.. The Shan Lei Mountain-patterned jar. was the vessel of the Xia Dynasty original: 夏后氏 (Xiahou shi).. The Zhu Zun was the vessel of the Shang Dynasty. The Sacrificial and Elephant Zun were the vessels of the Zhou Dynasty.

Taken collectively, these are all referred to as Zun-Yi Zun-Yi (尊彝): A general term for ritual bronzes; 'Zun' refers to wine vessels, while 'Yi' refers to sacrificial vessels, together symbolizing the entire ritual apparatus.. Because the Zhou Dynasty incorporated the rituals of all four preceding eras, they possessed and utilized all these vessels. When the Rites of Zhou original: 周官 (Zhouguan). speaks of the Six Zun, it refers to this comprehensive use of the various historical styles. Beyond what is found in the Rites of Zhou, those vessels seen in...