LIU Jing, RAO Shun
(Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Jingdezhen 333403, Jiangxi, China)
Extended abstract:
[Background and purposes] The Western Zhou Dynasty witnessed a profound transformation in the design and symbolism of ritual artifacts. Under the auspices of the Duke of Zhou, a comprehensive ritual-musical system was established, forming a new aesthetic and ideological framework. Artifacts from this period, especially pottery ritual vessels, encapsulated ritual principles through their morphology, ornamentation, combination and overall aesthetic effect. As a pivotal era that both inherited and transformed earlier Chinese cultural traditions, a distinctive ritual system rooted in patriarchal clan structure was developed in the Western Zhou. This system became increasingly institutionalized and elaborate, laying the foundation for subsequent Chinese ritual practice. This study was aimed to examine how pottery ritual vessels materialized the ethical and political ideals of the time, offering archeological and aesthetic insights into the ritual order of the Western Zhou state.
[Methods] An interdisciplinary methodology was adopted, by integrating archaeological typology, iconographic analysis and material culture studies. A systematic examination was conducted for pottery ritual vessels excavated from elite and middle-ranking tombs dated to the Western Zhou. Analytical emphasis was placed on formal attributes, such as the curvature of mouths, necks, handles and feet, as well as proportional relationships between upper and lower sections and left-right symmetry. The evolution of decorative motifs was traced from early mytho-religious iconography influenced by Shang traditions to the more abstract, geometric patterns prevalent in the mid- to late Western Zhou. Techniques of pattern construction, including repetition, symmetry, elongation and simplification, were cataloged and interpreted. Contextual analysis of vessel assemblages and their spatial arrangement in tombs provided further evidence for their ritual use and social meaning.
[Results] It is revealed that Western Zhou pottery ritual vessels exhibit a harmonious and restrained aesthetic, characterized by formal regularity, functional practicality, and elegant simplicity. From the mid-Western Zhou onward, vessel forms became increasingly standardized and pragmatic, emphasizing balanced proportions and subtle curvature. Decorations evolved from representational animal motifs toward abstract and rhythmic geometric designs, highlighting the expressive potential of lines and shapes through repetition and variation. A significant shift in vessel assemblage composition was observed. Early emphasis on wine vessels gradually gave way to a predominance of food vessels, particularly Gui and Ding types. This transition reflects broader changes in ritual practice toward "emphasizing food over wine". Furthermore, strict correlations were identified between vessel type, quantity, tomb and ritual status, illustrating the role of these objects in reinforcing social hierarchy and ceremonial order.
[Conclusions] It is demonstrated that the design and use of Western Zhou pottery ritual vessels were deeply embedded in the moral and political philosophy of the "ritual civilization" of the time. Principles, such as "revering virtue and prioritizing practicality" and "harmonious integration of form and substance", were materialized through their formal and decorative features. The concept of "virtue" became increasingly central to design ideology, facilitating a shift from religious symbolism to human-centered moral expression. As instruments of ritual, these vessels served not only as ceremonial utensils but also as tools for social differentiation, moral education and ideological communication. They functioned as key media through which the Zhou state naturalized hierarchy, promoted ethical norms and constructed cultural identity. The Western Zhou pottery ritual vessels thus exemplify how material culture can articulate and sustain political order and ethical systems, leaving a lasting legacy on Chinese ritual art and intellectual history.
Key words: displaying ritual systems with artifacts; ritual system; Western Zhou Dynasty; pottery ritual vessels; design