The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman: An Inquiry into the Ritual, Heavenly Way, and Moderation of Pre-Qin Marriage Regulations
This article deeply interprets the twelve characters, 'The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman, Ice Thaws and Killing Ceases, One Coitus in Ten Days,' tracing their origins in Pre-Qin classics like the *Rites of Zhou* and the *Book of Rites*. It analyzes the underlying principles concerning temporal restrictions on marriage, Yin-Yang philosophy, agricultural governance considerations, and sexual moderation, aiming to reconstruct the core of Pre-Qin ritualistic thought.
Chapter 9: Related Records in the Discourses of the States (Guoyu 国语)
Section 1: Guoyu on the Timing of Marriage
The Guoyu provides evidence of the deep concern for the continuity of lineage ("father gives birth to them"). This underscores that marriage timing was seen as fundamental to fulfilling this role.
Section 2: Marriage Cases in Guoyu: Jin Yu
Records concerning Duke Wen of Jin (Chong'er) suggest his marriage in Qin occurred in winter, preceding his return to power in spring, aligning with the prescribed seasonal order.
Section 3: Heavenly Order in Guoyu: Zhou Yu
The discourse on earthquakes in Guoyu emphasizes that Heaven and Earth follow an immutable order of qi. Deviating from this order causes disaster. The marriage system is understood as mirroring this cosmic order; to violate the marriage timing is to disrupt the order of Yin and Yang, risking disaster.