The term Zhong Ming Ding Shi comes from the "Historical Records: The Biography of the Goods and Colonies", and the original meaning is to describe the luxurious pomp and circumstance of the ancient aristocracy. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties in China, bronze ware was an important symbol of ancient social civilization, and bronze bells and tripods were symbols of royal and aristocratic status. In the ancient bronze hall of the Shanghai Museum, there are more than 400 pieces of bronzes from Baoji in Shaanxi and Shanxi, Henan, Hunan and other places, and there is the reputation of "half of the country" in the cultural relics circle, which is characterized by having long inscriptions and more descriptions, Da Keding and Jin Hou Su Zhong are the two most important cultural relics, they were included in the "first batch of cultural relics prohibited from going abroad (territory) exhibition catalogue" on January 18, 2002.
In the Zhou Dynasty, there were regulations on the number of so-called "nine tripods of the Son of Heaven, seven tripods of the princes, five tripods of the Qing doctor, and three tripods of the Yuanshi". With the gradual evolution of this symbol of rank, identity, and status, the tripod gradually became a symbol of power. The Great Keding of the Western Zhou Dynasty is the heavy weapon used by the great nobleman Shanfuke to worship his grandfather, Shihuafu. The Western Zhou Dynasty Da Keding, also known as Keding, Shanfu Keding, the bronze ware in the middle of the Western Zhou Dynasty, was unearthed in the 16th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1890 AD) in the cellar of Famen Temple in Fufeng County, Shaanxi. The Western Zhou Dynasty is 931 cm, weight 2015 kg. Ding Li ears, the neck is decorated with three groups of symmetrical deformed gluttonous patterns, and there are ridges and convex ridges, the whole shape is solemn and heavy. The most precious thing is that there are 290 inscriptions cast in its abdomen, and the content is an important material for the study of the land system and official system of the Western Zhou Dynasty. The Western Zhou Dynasty Dakeding is an extremely important bronze vessel in the Western Zhou Dynasty, and it is also a well-known heavy weapon, which was donated to the country by Pan Zuyin's family after twists and turns, and has been treasured in the Shanghai Museum since 1952.
In the No. 8 tomb of the Jin Marquis Cemetery in Beizhao Village, Quwo County, in an archaeological excavation in 1992, a treasure that had been sleeping for thousands of years was rediscovered, that is, the Jin Marquis Su Zhong of the Western Zhou Dynasty, formerly known as the Jin Marquis Su Bell. These 16 precious chimes, of different sizes, arranged in two columns, with harmonious scales and rhythms, seem to travel through time and space, bringing us back to the distant Western Zhou Dynasty.
The inscription of the Jin Marquis Su Zhong has a total of 355 words, which are connected from end to end, and are engraved on 16 bells, like a historical picture scroll, slowly unfolding. These inscriptions narrate the 33rd year of King Zhou Li, and the magnificent scene of King Zhou Li's personal expedition to the east and the south. Although this war is impossible to investigate in historical books, it is of great value for the study of the history of the Western Zhou Dynasty and the history of the Jin Kingdom. It fills in the gaps we have about that period of history and makes us more aware of what that era was like.
In addition, the inscriptions also record a variety of time and calendar days, which is also of great value for the study of the Western Zhou Dynasty. It allows us to understand the time context of the Western Zhou Dynasty more accurately, so that we can understand that era more deeply.
It is worth mentioning that the inscriptions of Su Zhong, Marquis of Jin, are all engraved, which is the first time in the bronzes of the Western Zhou Dynasty. This unique engraving technique not only demonstrates superb craftsmanship, but also gives us a new understanding of ancient craftsmanship.
Today, these 16 pieces of Su Bell of the Marquis of Jin are stored in the Shanghai Museum and Shanxi Museum, becoming an important window for people to appreciate ancient civilization. They tell the splendor of that distant era and show the wisdom and talent of the ancients. Whenever we gaze at these precious cultural relics, it seems that we can hear the bells that have passed through the millennium and feel the pulse of that era.
In the long history of our country, the Marquis of Jin, Su Zhong is undoubtedly a bright pearl. It not only represents the superb skills of ancient crafts, but also is a witness to that period of history, providing valuable information for us to study the history of the Western Zhou Dynasty and the history of the Jin Kingdom. Let us appreciate this pearl at the same time, but also remember that period of history and inherit that culture.