Li Qi Bei 禮器碑
The full name of Li Qi Bei (禮器碑) is ‘漢魯相韓敇造孔廟禮器碑’ (Ritual Objects Stele Made by Han Chi, Han Administer of Lu). It is also called ‘Han Chi Stele’ (韓敇碑). The stele was engraved in 156 CE. The text of the stele records how the Administrator of Lu (魯相), Han Chi (韓敇) renovated the Temple of Confucius (孔廟) and purchased ritual objects (禮器) – musical instruments and ritual vessels. Two horse-drawn wagons were also created, just like the wagon that Confucius used to go to court. Sludge was dredged from various waterways and wells to being in clear water. All this shows the highest respect for Confucius. Han Chi along with other officials and citizens contributed funds for the project and erected a stele to commemorate the event.
The musical instruments mentioned in the stele are bells (鍾), chimes (磬), zithers (瑟) and drums (鼓).
Some of the ritual vessels mentioned in the stele for holding wine, water, grains, meat and cakes and other food are as follows.
The stele also mentions the Yan (顏) clan of Confucius’ mother (顏母) and the ‘Qiguan’ (亓官) clan of his wife. Later on in history, the ‘Qiguan’ (亓官) clan was known as ‘Bingguan (并官) instead, as written in Li Qi Bei. Han Chi exempted the descendants of Yan clan and Bingguan clan from corvée labour and military service as a veneration for Confucius.
The stele is a typical example of the Eastern Han clerical calligraphy. The strokes of the characters are thin, sometimes mere threads, but they seem vigorous. The main strokes are sometimes set off with thicker, wedge-like ends. The whole inscription looks elegant and dignified. The serene flow of lines that gives viewers a sense of tranquil beauty. Many calligraphers rate this stele as the best among all Han clerical writings.
The text of the stele is as follows:
惟永壽二年。青龍在涒歎。霜月之靈。皇極之日。魯相河南京韓君。追惟大古。華胥生皇雄。顏□育□[孔]寶。俱制元道。百王不改。孔子近聖。為漢定道。自天王以下。至于初學。莫不𩥉思嘆卬師鏡。顏氏聖舅。家居魯親里。并(亓)官聖妃。在安樂里。聖族之親。禮所宜異。復顏氏并官氏邑中繇發。以尊孔心。念聖歷世。禮樂陵遲。秦項作亂。不尊圖書。倍道畔德。離敗聖輿。食糧亡于沙丘。君於是造立禮器。樂之音符。鍾磬瑟鼓。雷洗觴觚。爵鹿柤梪。籩柉禁壼。脩飾宅廟。更作二輿。朝車威熹。宣抒玄汙。以注水流。法舊不煩。備而不奢。上合紫臺。稽之中和。下合聖制。事得禮儀。於是四方士仁。聞君風燿。敬咏其德。尊琦大人之意。逴𡓭之思。乃共立表石。紀傳億載。其文曰。皇戯統華胥。承天畫卦。顏育空桑。孔制元孝。俱祖紫宮。大一所授。前闓九頭。以斗(什)言教。後制百王。獲鱗來吐。制不空作。承天之語。乾元以來。三九之載。八皇三代。至孔乃備。聖人不世。期五百載。三陽吐圖。二陰出讖。制作之義。以俟知奧。於穆韓君。獨見天意。復聖二族。逴越絕思。脩造禮樂。胡輦器用。存古舊宇。殷勤宅廟。朝車威熹。出誠造更。漆不水解。工不爭賈。深除玄汙。水通四注。禮器升堂。天雨降澍。百姓訢和。舉國蒙慶。神靈祐誠。竭敬之報。天與厥福。永享牟壽。上極華紫。旁伎皇代。刊石表銘。與乾運燿。長期蕩蕩。於盛復授。赫赫罔窮。聲垂億載。
My copy of the stele is as follows:
Li Qi Bei, together with Yi Ying Bei (乙瑛碑) and Shi Chen Bei (史晨碑) are known as ‘The Three Steles of Confucius Temple’ (孔廟三碑). These three steles are of great significance in Chinese Calligraphy. They have been widely studied among calligraphers.
Bibliography:
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/%E7%A6%AE%E5%99%A8%E7%A2%91
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%A4%BC%E5%99%A8%E7%A2%91/5791902
https://kknews.cc/culture/baz9gao.html
http://www.360doc.com/content/11/1103/13/7897202_161331051.shtml
https://m.facebook.com/npmgov/photos/a.132105723539887/341669
俞丰 (2009) 經典碑帖釋文譯注, 上海書畫出版社 , ISBN 978-7-80725-846-9
Ouyang Z S, W C Fong, Y F Wang (2008) Chinese Calligraphy, Yale University, ISBN 978-0-300-12107-0
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