Page Four

Ceremonial Regulations, Volume 5

Two Ritual Officials are positioned to the north of the Master of the Class|Zhiban The official responsible for keeping order and ensuring participants are in their correct positions, facing each other from the east and west. The Usher|Tongzan is stationed in the west, and the Ritual Assistant|Zanli is stationed in the east.

The two officials leading the Grand Preceptor and the Grand Marshal The highest honorary ranks in the civil and military hierarchies, respectively are positioned to the north of the Grand Preceptor’s station, standing in the west and facing east.

The four officials leading the Civil and Military Classes are positioned slightly behind the north side of the civil and military bowing positions, facing each other from the east and west.

The two officials leading the Hall Front Class are positioned to the south of those leading the military class. The two officials leading the Envoys are positioned to the south of those leading the civil class.

Establish positions for three officials of the Command Office of the Hall Front Class to stand in attendance on the west side of the Vermilion Steps|Danbi The ceremonial red-painted stairs leading up to the main imperial hall, facing east. Three officials from the Court of Imperial Entertainments|Guanglu Si The bureau responsible for imperial banquets and ritual offerings are positioned on the east side of the Vermilion Steps, facing west.

Officials from the Imperial Bodyguard are positioned to the left and right of the Palace Gate, facing each other from the east and west.

The Civil Attendant Class—including the Recorders of Imperial Deeds|Qijuzhu, Supervising Secretaries|Jishizhong, Palace Censors|Dianzhong Shiyushi, and Ministers of the Imperial Seal|Shangbao Qing—are positioned on the east side of the Hall, facing west.

The Military Attendant Class—specifically the Sword-bearing Commanders—are positioned on the west side of the Hall, facing east.

Eight Battalion Commanders|Qianhu Military officers traditionally in charge of one thousand men of the guard are positioned to the left and right of the east and west Palace Gates, facing each other from the east and west.