Confucianism and Family Rituals in Imperial China

The book delves into the historical ties between Confucianism and Chinese society by analyzing how Confucian texts on family rituals were created and utilized. It highlights the significance of rituals like weddings and funerals in expressing societal hierarchies and the connection between the living and the deceased. Patricia Ebrey illustrates how widespread respect for literature and the advent of printing helped shape ritual practices, making them integral to Confucian culture, as everyday actions became legitimized through these texts.