Ritual for the Crown Prince’s Capping Ceremony

Preparations: The Directorate of Astronomy receives the Imperial Decree to select an auspicious day; the Ministry of Works manufactures the items.

The Sacrificial Robes and Crown|Gunmian The most formal attire, featuring a crown with dangling beads and robes embroidered with twelve imperial symbols, the Far-Reaching Excursion Crown|Yuanyou Guan A multi-tiered crown specifically designated for the heir apparent, and the Folded-Up Kerchief|Zheshang Jin cap and clothing are prepared. The Hanlin Academy|Hanlin Yuan The imperial secretarial and academic body drafts the ritual prayers and congratulatory speeches. The Ministry of Rites prepares the detailed ritual protocols.

The Central Secretariat|Zhongshu Sheng The highest administrative body in the early Ming government receives the Imperial Decree to appoint a specific official to serve as the Guest The elder or high official who performs the actual capping and another official to serve as the Assistant. Once the day has been selected, officials are dispatched to report the upcoming event to Heaven, Earth, and the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The Ministry of Rites notifies the civil and military officials to keep watch within the Imperial City overnight. At dawn on the day of the ceremony, they shall wear their formal court robes to perform the ritual.

On the day prior to the ceremony, the Directorate of Palace Servants|Neishi Jian The office in charge of internal palace logistics orders the arrangement of the Imperial Throne and the incense table within the Hall of Supreme Harmony|Fengtian Dian. The protocol officers set up the Crown Prince’s waiting area in the eastern chamber of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. They set up the waiting area for the Guest and Assistant outside the Meridian Gate.

They set up the Crown Prince’s bowing position in the center of the Vermilion Steps|Danbi The grand, elevated terrace leading to the main imperial hall. Additionally, the position for the Guest and Assistant to receive the Imperial Decree is set slightly to the northwest of the Crown Prince’s position, facing east. The official in charge of receiving the Imperial Decree is positioned to the east of the Imperial Throne, facing west. The official in charge of proclaiming the Imperial Decree is positioned at the...