Ancient ceremonial, musical civilization sees revival in Hangzhou

An exhibition entitled "Ritual Matters, Bronze Age Civilizations in the Central Plains" made its debut at the Liangzhu Museum in Hangzhou recently, attracting numerous local residents and tourists eager to explore the ceremonial and musical civilization of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties (c.21st century-256BC).

The exhibition featured over 100 bronze artifacts from various cultural institutions, including the Henan Museum, Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and Zhengzhou Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.

Through this extensive showcase, the exhibition vividly portrayed the formation, development, and completion of the bronze ceremonial systems in the Central Plains during the three dynasties.

The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties played a crucial role in shaping China's early civilization. One of the hallmarks of these ancient societies was their profound appreciation for rites and music. Ceremonial rites were an integral part of their social fabric, governing various aspects of life, from royal ceremonies to everyday customs. Music, too, held great significance, with different forms of musical expression serving as an essential means of communication, entertainment, and religious expression.