西汉持节制度考

An Examination of the Jie-holding System In the Western Han Dynasty

汉节在汉代政治生活中非常重要,持节者可以代表皇帝,权力甚大。汉代"节"形状应从周代的"旌节"发展而来,但却保留了周代使节代表君权的政治意义。汉代"节"只有皇帝才能设立,称为"汉节",诸侯国或地方政权没有权力设"节"。"节"上旄的颜色,秦汉时期有着变化过程。秦代为黑色,西汉初期为赤色,汉武帝时第一个旄节改为黄色,刘贺时将黄旄改为赤色,汉宣帝时又恢复为黄色。西汉持节行事在政治生活中频繁发生,除了持节护卫皇帝、代表皇帝处理一般政务外,持节行事的主要目的和作用表现在处理重大政治事件、出使少数民族及周边诸国、主持重大礼仪活动、丧葬中持节视丧、从事巫术等神秘活动、巡行天下,安抚百姓等方面。汉代持节者多集中于三公、九卿,其他官员持节者较少,其中又以九卿中光禄勋数量最多,或许与皇帝关系密切有关。

In the Han Dynasty,those holding envoys'jie could represent the emperor.The jie was credentials consisting of banners tied on a mast symbolizing power.It was in red color in the early days of the Western Han,and later changed to different colors.Jie-holding was a common event in the Western Han period.Apart from protecting the emperor and handling ordinary state affairs on his behalf,the holders could handle important political incidents,went to areas of ethnic minorities as envoys,hold important rituals,inspect the territory and pacify the people.Those entitled to holding jie were usually officials,mostly ministers.