宾礼的演变与明清朝贡礼仪

Development of the guest and tributary ritual of the Ming and Qing Dynasties

朝贡制度是古代中国对外交往的主要模式之一。作为五礼之一的宾礼经过发展演变,形成独具特色的朝贡礼仪。明清时期,朝贡礼仪日益烦琐僵化。履行朝贡礼仪不仅是确立中外政治臣属关系的象征,也为近代中西文化冲突埋下了祸根。

The tributary system is one of the main patterns reflecting the Sino-foreign relations in ancient China. The guest ritual, one of the five rituals, has developed into the tributary ritual of a unique style. The tributary ritual thus becomes more and more complicated and ossified in the reign of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Therefore, the tributary ritual is not only a symbol of the relationship of suzerain and vassal between China and other nations, but also becomes the source of Sino-Western cultural conflicts in modern time.