General Discussion of the Boat-Yi original: 舟彛 (zhōu yí). This refers to the 'Yi' sacrificial vessel used in conjunction with a 'Zhou'—a boat-shaped tray or pedestal.

The Rites of Zhou original: 周官 (Zhōu Guān), an ancient text on bureaucracy and ritual also known as the Zhou Li. records the doctrine of the Six Yi Vessels, namely the Chicken-Yi, the Bird-Yi, the Jia-Yi, the Yellow-Yi, and those belonging to the Tiger and Wei Wei (蜼): a long-tailed monkey depicted in ancient art, symbolizing filial piety because it was believed to look after its elders. categories.

Commentators state that these were used either to hold Bright Water original: 明水 (míngshuǐ). Pure water, traditionally collected from the condensation on a bronze mirror held toward the moon, used for its purity in sacrifices. or to hold Aromatic Wine original: 鬱鬯 (yùchàng). A ritual wine made from black millet and infused with turmeric to create a fragrant scent intended to summon the spirits.. Those used to hold Bright Water are the Chicken, Jia, Tiger, and Wei vessels; those used to hold Aromatic Wine are the Bird, Yellow, and Wei vessels.

All these Yi vessels possess a Zhou Zhou (舟): literally 'boat,' referring here to a supporting tray or pedestal that 'carries' the vessel.. These are arranged and displayed as implements for the worship of the spirits. From the Spring Sacrifice to the Summer Sacrifice, and the Autumn Sacrifice to the Winter Sacrifice original: 春禴 (chūn yuè), 夏禘 (xià dì), 秋甞 (qiū cháng), 冬蒸 (dōng zhēng). These specific names denote the major seasonal rites held at the ancestral temple., whether for the pouring of wine or the performance of libations, there is no ritual where one does not draw from within these vessels to pour out the offerings.

The fact that a Yi vessel has a Zhou indicates that they are complementary implements that rely on one another, much like the relationship between the Zun wine vessel and the Hu jar, or the Fei Fei (篚): a rectangular bamboo basket used for ritual purposes. basket and the Lei jar.

Earlier scholars argued that the Zhou was shaped like a flat plate, and that like a boat carrying a load, the Yi vessel sat upon it. But is this really the case? Among the items that survive today, there are pieces such as the Zhou with "globular feet and drooping floral patterns" original: 敦足垂花 (dūn zú chuí huā). 'Dun' refers to a rounded, sturdy foot-style; 'drooping flowers' describes a specific pendant-like bronze ornament., which in general appearance is actually quite similar to the Yi vessel itself. From this, it is clearly evident that they were designed as a matched set of complementary ritual tools. During the Han...