The Beauty of the Three Dynasties Condensed into a Single Chapter: A Deep Interpretation of "Yan Yuan Asking about Governing the State" in the Analects of Confucius, Weilinggong
This article provides a rigorous analysis of the "Yan Yuan wen weibang" passage in the *Analects*, examining Confucius’s political pedagogy—centered on the calendar of the Xia, the carriage of the Shang, the ceremonial cap of the Zhou, and the music of Shao—as a synthesis of the essential wisdom of the Three Dynasties. By situating these practices within the broader framework of Confucian statecraft, the study elucidates the idealized civilizational paradigm of the tradition and the enduring philosophical significance of its transmission.
4. "Time" and the Ancient Astronomical Tradition
From the perspective of ancient mythology and folklore, the establishment of "time" is inseparable from astronomical observation.
The Shangshu: Yao Dian records how Emperor Yao ordered the four sons of Xi and He to observe celestial phenomena and establish a calendar:
He commanded Xi and He, in reverent accordance with the wide heavens, to calculate and delineate the sun, moon, stars, and celestial bodies, and to respectfully deliver the seasons to the people.
The phrase "respectfully deliver the seasons to the people" is crucial. "Respectfully" implies that creating a calendar is not a casual matter but a sacred act; "deliver" implies that time is not created by humans but bestowed by Heaven; "seasons to the people" explains the purpose of this system—farming, sacrifice, and social life.
The Master advocating "Follow the calendar of the Xia" is essentially returning to this oldest time tradition based on natural rhythms. The Xia year-start matches the "eastern planting" (spring plowing) season described in Yao Dian, which is no coincidence. The Xia Dynasty was considered the closest to the rule of Yao and Shun, and its calendar best preserved the spirit of "respectfully delivering the seasons."