Under the land of the 23rd year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, that is, in 1843 AD, Dong Chunsheng of Qishan County, Shaanxi Province, inadvertently awakened the dusty history when he was working in the fields. The hoe in his hand touched a long-dormant secret - it was a Mao Gongding, known as one of the "Three Dings in the Sea". This bronze masterpiece, with its 499-character long inscription, has become the first of the "Top Ten Bronzes in China".
While admiring the profundity of its inscriptions and the weight of its history, people often ignore the extraordinary journey of this tribute from an ordinary cookware to a national heavy weapon. It seems to tell an unknown history of struggle, that is a legend from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from obscure to famous.
Born out of cooking utensils.
In the ancient Neolithic Age, human cooking was unique and primitive, relying mainly on fire and stone burn. According to the Song Dynasty scholar Qian Zhou's "Ancient History Examination", it is recorded: "In the Shennong period, people ate grains and sprinkled rice grains on hot stones to cook. It was not until the time of the Yellow Emperor that kettles and retorts appeared, thus opening the era of fire food. This text vividly recreates the cooking scene of early human beings.
The Yellow Emperor, the illustrious ancestor of China, not only led the art of fire food, but also cast the tripod for cooking. It is recorded in the "Historical Records": "The Yellow Emperor collected the copper of the first mountain and cast Baoding at the foot of Jing Mountain, and there were three of them, which symbolized heaven, earth and man respectively. The explanation of Ding in "Shuowen Jie Zi" is: "Three legs and two ears, a precious vessel that harmonizes the five flavors." "Ding is not only a perfect combination of containers, cutlery and cooking utensils, but also carries far-reaching cultural significance. It represents the innovation of eating utensils and has become an important symbol of Chinese national food culture.
Zhou Yi Xiang Biography describes: "Ding is a symbol. Wood is used to ignite a flame and cook it. The saints used cooking to sacrifice to the heavens, and at the same time used it to feast on the saints. "Shuo Wen Jie Zi" also mentions: "Ding, symbolizing the decomposition of wood to make fire." "The body of the tripod is used for stewing, and the flame is burned underneath, which can not only make staple food, but also cook meat, and establish a dietary pattern for the Chinese people with grains as the staple food, meat as the auxiliary, and vegetables and fruits as the supplement.
Ancient food utensils "Ding".
With the rapid development of metallurgical technology, the material of the tripod gradually evolved from the original pottery to bronze products. This change not only makes the tripod body, tripod foot, tripod ear harmoniously integrated, but also endows the tripod with a smooth and elegant overall beauty. The richness and variety of its surface decoration add a touch of simple and calm style. It is recorded in the "Zhou Li Examination Record": "Six points of gold and tin are called the Qi of Zhong Ding." "The results of scientific research have also confirmed the composition of the bronze alloy used to make the tripod, with copper accounting for 8571%, tin accounted for 1429%, which coincides with the records in ancient books.
In the Tang Dynasty, the Dingshi culture was still prevalent. Li Shimin's eldest son, Li Chengqian, once made an eight-foot-high stove and a six-compartment tripod, recruited fugitive slaves to steal folk horses and cattle, cooked them himself, and enjoyed them with his favored servants. This is enough to prove the important position that Ding occupies in cooking meat. Adults should consume 50-75 grams of meat per day to meet basic life-sustaining needs. Meat is rich in protein, fat, amino acids, vitamins and trace elements, including lysine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine and other eight essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize on its own. Engels emphasized the effect of meat on the cerebral marrow in the Dialectics of Nature, believing that it provides more nutrients and materials for the development of the cerebral marrow, so that human beings can evolve more rapidly and perfectly from generation to generation. It is precisely for this reason that Ding, as an important cooking utensil for cooking meat, has naturally been highly respected and respected in the hearts of the Chinese nation.
Rise to the ritual
Ding, this artifact carrying profound mysteries, has been closely linked with the lifeblood of the country since the ancient Shang Dynasty, and its merits are attributed to the outstanding Yiyin. He had insight into the mysteries of Dingzhong cooking, and was good at blending the flavors of Dingnei cuisine, convincing Shang Tang with his delicious food, leading the country to the path of benevolent government. In the long river of food culture, Ding occupies an irreplaceable supreme position, which is not unrelated to its importance in the etiquette system. "The Book of Rites and Rites" contains: "The beginning of food and drink is the beginning of etiquette. And the tripod has become the key ritual of "Ming noble and low, distinguishing ranks".
In the Western Zhou Dynasty, a set of strict etiquette has been formed for the furnishings and use of tripods. According to the records of "Zhou Li", "Etiquette" and "Book of Rites", the Son of Heaven used nine tripods and eight tripods, the princes seven tripods and six tripods, the doctor five tripods and four tripods, the sergeant three tripods and two tripods, and the corporal one tripod and one tripod. This hierarchical etiquette system shows the prominent position of Ding in the etiquette culture. At the same time, the combination of odd tripods and even numbers also reflects the philosophical idea of yin and yang harmony.
In the pre-Qin period, the ruling class often consolidated its power by holding sacrifices. "Zuo Biography" mentions: "The major affairs of the country are in worship and Rong. "In the sacrificial ceremony, the tripod, which is used to hold the sacrifices, is given a sacred duty. It is not only a symbol of communication between people and gods, but also carries the prayers and blessings of the people. Therefore, the tripod has evolved beyond the status of a simple cooking utensil and has evolved into a solemn and important ritual vessel.
Yugong Kyushu map
Developed from artifacts
In ancient myths and legends, the story of "Yu harvesting the gold of Jiumu and casting Jiuding" has been passed down through the ages. Each tripod not only represents one of the states in Kyushu, but also a symbol of national sovereignty and unity. These nine tripods have become the symbol of the king's ruling power, as if carrying the weight of the mandate of heaven, communicating heaven and earth, and coordinating people and gods. And Mao Gongding, a noble artifact known as a treasure of the world, is inscribed with words that praise the moral, political, cultural achievements and rewards of the Zhou king.
Ding, it carries not only material value, but also a symbol of power. The princes of all places know very well that whoever can have the tripod will be able to rightfully grasp the throne. Therefore, the desire and competition for Ding has never stopped. In the pre-Qin period, the inheritance of the tripod became a symbol of the change of state power.
In 606 BC, when the king of Chuzhuang attacked Lu Hun Rong near Luoyang, Chen soldiers Luoshui were deterred by force. King Zhouding's envoy, Wang Sunman, was ordered to go to offer condolences. In the face of this superficially calm labor army journey, King Chuzhuang hid his foresight, and he tried the "size and weight" of Jiuding side by side. This is not only the coveting of Jiuding, but also the greed and pursuit of supreme power.
Wrong gold, silver and bronze tripods
Wang Sunman was deeply displeased with the Yue Li of the King of Chuzhuang, and he elaborated in a firm tone: "The Xia Dynasty took distant pictures as tribute, cast nine tripods as elephants, and returned to the Shang Dynasty because of the faintness." However, Shang was brutal, and Ding was transferred to Zhou. Although Zhou's virtue has declined, the Mandate of Heaven has not changed. The weight of the tripod is not to be asked. As soon as these words came out, the solemnity and nobility of Ding were fully revealed, and at the same time, King Chuzhuang gave a powerful response. Since then, the word "winning" has become synonymous with usurping power. In 249 BC, King Xiang of Qin Zhuang annihilated the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, and Jiuding was returned to Qin. After Qin unified the world, Jiuding's whereabouts are unknown. Despite this, in the eyes of later dynasties and people of insight, the tripod is still regarded as a "Kyushu artifact", because it symbolizes the prosperity of the sages during their reign. The tripod is closely linked to the royal power, providing a solid support for the legitimacy of the rulers.
Zhuge Liang (181-234), the word Kongming
Shaped by culture
Although the tangible tripod has disappeared in the long river of history, the invisible tripod has been tenaciously inheriting the original spiritual core. This spiritual core is like a bright pearl, which resonates and recognizes people. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang had a strategic plan for Ding in "Longzhong Pair", and he carefully laid out Jingzhou and Xichuan to build Jingzhou and Xichuan into a strong momentum, and then chase the Central Plains. And the Tang Dynasty Empress Wu Zetian's obsession with the tripod is unparalleled, she has cast nine tripods, each tripod carries the mountains and rivers of various places, its majestic shape and heavy weight, are enough to make people feel the sacredness and solemnity of the tripod.
Ding culture, its profound connotation, vast influence, has a drizzle-like subtle influence on kings and commoners. In the vast historical literature, people often use "Ding Yun", "Ding Life" and "Ding Zuo" to metaphorize the throne and national fortune, and "Ding Ye" has the meaning of symbolizing the emperor's position. When the country is the first, people call it "Dingfen"; When society is in turmoil, it is called "boiling". Dingqi symbolizes the prosperity of a country; The "Ding Theory" and "Ding Wei" refer to the policy of governing the country and the national government. When the country falls, people call it "Ding Qian", and the establishment of a dynasty is called "Ding Ding". These rich words and meanings fully demonstrate the important position and far-reaching influence of Ding in Chinese culture.
Ten Thousand Years Baoding
Under the enthusiastic admiration of elites from all walks of life, Ding culture has received unprecedented attention, and its influence has swept like a frenzy, and people have followed suit, one after another, creating an irresistible cultural trend. Those who are in high positions are known as "Dingchen" or "Dingzu" to recognize their outstanding status; In ancient times, the prime minister was given the honorific title of "Ding Fu" or "Ding Position", highlighting his pivotal role in the court. People of great fame are often described as "famous" to express their fame; Those who grasp the best guide are given the reputation of "Ding Yan" or "One Word", highlighting the weight of their speech. As for those families, they are called "Ding clan" or "Ding noble", marking the glory and dignity of their families. In short, all the words related to Ding are full of positive power.
The historical evolution of the tripod is unique, from the initial cooking utensils to the later ritual utensils, and then evolved into the country's important utensils and cultural symbols, and its position in the long river of ancient history can be described as incomparable. Di Yao once had ardent expectations: "Keming Junde, with the pro-nine clans, the nine clans are harmonious, the people are peaceful, the people are clear, and the concord is all nations." Under the guidance of this concept, the tripod has played an indispensable role in rituals and political activities, not only meeting the development needs of the country, but also inheriting the wisdom of the nation's survival, which continues to this day, and its value and significance have endured.