From Spontaneity to Consciousness:The Transformation of Communication Symbols in the Development of Confucian Ritual Studies
The spontaneous use of symbols for communication and the construction of social meanings is a fundamental characteristic of human society.However,the spontaneous use of symbols does not necessarily equate to symbol consciousness.It is only by paying attention to the relationship between symbols and meaning that we can usher humanity into the conscious stage of semiotics.In terms of the evolution of Chinese semiotic thought,the development of ritual studies has exerted a profound influence."Li"(礼)can be viewed as a system of ideographic symbols that govern people's expressive behavior.The pre-Qin study of ritual progressed through various stages,encompassing the origins of ritual,the flourishing of ritual and music,the decline of ritual and music,and the formation of ritual studies.However,it was during the disorderly Spring and Autumn period that people began to contemplate the relationship between ritual,music,and cultural symbols,signifying the onset of semiotic consciousness among Chinese ancestors.The decline of the ritual system precipitated the rise of ritual studies,which in turn initiated a conscious dissemination of symbols.This article traces and analyzes the development of pre-Qin Confucian ritual studies from a semiotic perspective,uncovering a symbolic shift in communication and offering new insights into the dissemination of Chinese ritual music and studies in symbolic communication.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
