“八佾”何以“舞于庭”

Why Could“Eight Yi”(八佾)Be Danced in Court

周代传世文献对周公践阼有两种说法,一说他正式做了七年天子,二说他只是代理天子。对周成王下令鲁侯以天子八佾礼乐祭祀周公太庙、郊禘,也有二说,一说鲁侯合乎周礼,二说鲁侯僭越礼制。孔子均持第二说,故对鲁侯持批评态度。鲁昭公被驱逐至齐国,季平子代理国君,以鲁侯自居,自建周公太庙,用天子八佾礼乐,祭祀周公,这才是"八佾舞于庭""三家者以《雍》彻"的原因。

There are two arguments about Zhou Gong’s lording in the literature passing on from Zhou Dynasty,one is that he officially became the emperor for seven years,the other is that he was only a regent.There are two reasons for King Cheng of Zhou to order King of Lu to worship Zhou Gong's temple with Eight Yi(八佾)rites.One is that King of Lu conformed to the rites of Zhou,and the other is that King of Lu transgressed the rites.Confucius agreed with latter opinion,so he criticized the King of Lu.When King of Lu was expelled to the state of Qi,Ji Huanzi acted as the king of the state.He built another temple next to his official residence for Zhou Gong and worshiped his lord with Eight Yi(八佾)rites in order to reinforce his own power.This is why“eight Yi(八佾)was danced in the court”and“three families used Yong(雍)”.