Confucianism and Family Rituals in Imperial China

The book delves into the intricate relationship between Confucianism and Chinese society, focusing on family rituals as outlined in Confucian texts. It highlights how weddings, funerals, and ancestral rites reflect societal hierarchies and the connection between the living and the dead. Patricia Ebrey traces the social history of these texts, demonstrating their role in shaping ritual behaviors across different social levels. The importance of literature and the influence of early printing in legitimizing various practices within the Confucian framework are also examined.