Editing Ancient China (Shang and Zhou) (section)

== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
Ancient China is understood through '''Ritual''' and '''Legitimacy'''.

'''1. The "Divined" Word (Oracle Bones)''':
"Writing" as a "Bridge to the Spirit."
* (See Article 621). In Sumer, writing was for **"Counting."**
* In **Shang China**, writing was for **"Talking to God."**
* The "Characters" we see on oracle bones are the **"Direct Ancestors"** of "Modern Chinese Script."
* It "Entwined" **"Literacy"** with **"Religion"** and **"Power"** from the very "Beginning."
* "Writing" was "Sacred."

'''2. The "Right" to Rule (The Mandate)''':
"Power" is "Moral."
* The **Zhou** "Justified" "Overthrowing" the Shang by saying the Shang "Lost their Virtue."
* Unlike "Pharaohs" (who 'were' gods), the "Chinese Emperor" was **"Conditional."**
* If the "Harvest Fails" or there is a "Flood," it means the **"Mandate"** has been **"Withdrawn."**
* This "Logic" (see Article 514) "Allowed" for "Revolution" while "Maintaining" "Systemic Continuity."

'''3. The "Chain" of Duty (Filial Piety)''':
"The Family" as the "State."
* (See Article 545). The **Zhou** "Built" a "Social Architecture" where "The King" is the "Father" of the "Nation."
* By "Teaching" **"Respect for Parents"** at "Home," you "Ensure" **"Loyalty to the King"** in "Public."
* "The State" is an **"Extended Family."**
* It is "Stability" through "Biology" and "Tradition."

'''The 'Ding' (Bronze Tripod)'''': The "Symbol of Authority." A "Great King" was said to "Own" the **"Nine Ding."** If he "Lost" them, he "Lost" the "World." It proved that "Mastery of Materials" (see Article 154) was "Equivalent" to "Mastery of People."
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