On the Impact of Ancient Nuo Rites on Confucianism
Origin-tracing of Confucianism has found its solid foundation after two significant philological conclusions made:Wang Guowei concluded that the character of"Nao(夒)"or"Kui(夔)"in oracle bone inscription refers to Gaozu of the Shang Dynasty;Xu Zhongshu claimed that the character of"Xu(需)"was the same as"Ru(儒)".The philological connection between"Nao(夒)","Nao((狻))","Nao(獶)",and"Nao(猱)"contributes to the understanding of not only the original meaning of"Confucians are 优(優,獶)and 柔(猱)",but also the fact that by putting on different Nuo(傩)masks,"Nao(夒)"acted as humans,beasts,deities,and monsters in the Nuo rites.Gaozu was the head of rite and music who presided over the Nuo rites.The original meaning of"Xu(需)"in oracle bone inscriptions means"short person"or"dwarf"and"the wise(多胥)"was the dancer who danced and prayed for rain.During the Nuo ceremonies,the singers and dancers(倡 俳),the dwarfs(侏儒),and the wise(多胥)all were members of the team of rite and music and all participated in the ceremonies.The dwarfs played the role of Nao(猱)(macaque)and presided over the funeral of the plague ghost.During demise of the Shang Dynasty and decline of the Zhou Dynasty,these musical performers fell low and made a living by imparting knowledge of rite and music.During the pre-Qin period,they were scoffed at by their contemporaries because their work was considered hereditary occupation of dwarfs.The essence of Confucians evolution from a petty person to a gentleman is transforming from a master of etiquette and customs to a teacher of the Six Arts and Classics,which led to the birth of Confucian school.
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