唐代皇帝诞节的贺寿礼制

从唐玄宗朝皇帝生日定为全国性节日开始,经过数百年的发展,至宋代皇帝圣节礼制最终成熟定型。唐代诞节礼制作为圣节贺寿的形成阶段,有一个发展演变过程。就贺寿对象而言,从玄宗千秋节的突出皇权中心,到逐渐接纳民间的生日祝贺父母习俗,并最终形成了圣节为皇帝、皇太后同时贺寿的圣节礼制。就皇帝对百官群臣的诞节赏赐而言,从玄宗朝的重物质、尚豪奢向中晚唐五代的重精神、尚荣誉转变,同时又接纳了民俗节日进衣的传统,至宋代则以赏赐衣物为主。就百官臣子的进献内容而言,从千秋节设计的甘露、醇酎、金镜、绶带等贺寿礼物,很快演变成豪华进献,并变相成为赋税之一种——诞节银。圣节礼制在宋元明清政治与社会生活中有着重要影响。其节日之设计与演变,对当代节日文化建设有着重要的借鉴和教训价值。

Ritual System of Celebration of the Emperor’s Birthday in Tang Dynasty

It is originated in Tang Xuan-zong that Emperor’s Birthday is set as national festival.The ritual system on saint day has become mature after hundreds of years in Song Dynasty.Ritual system of celebrating the Emperor’s Birthday in Tang Dynasty takes a developmental process to be a saint day.In terms of the celebration characters,from stressing royal power in Tang Xuan-zong’s reign to gradual acceptance of folk celebration for parents’birthdays,the ritual system of simultaneously celebrating both for emperors and empress dowagers on saint days finally came into being.In terms of the rewards to officials and courtiers on that saint day,materialism and luxury in Tang Xuan-zong’s reign converted into spiritualism and honor in the middle and late Tang Dynasty.On the other hand,the tradition of sending costumes on folk holidays is also accepted and rewarding costumes is held on saint days mainly in Song Dynasty.For vassals’contributions,birthday presents,such as sweet dew,high-quality wine,golden mirror and ribbons soon evolve into luxurious contributions.Furthermore,birthday silver became one of the taxes.In a word,the ritual system on saint day played an important role in politics and societies in Song,Yuan,Ming and Qing Dynasties.The design and development have valuable reference and lesson value for cultural construction of modern festivals.