The kneeling event

Reported on 23, April, 2010. Arizona, US.

A strange incidence occured in the Chinese city named Dalian Zhuanghe. It is related that thousands of people kneeled in front of the government, which make us ponder on Chinese ancestors what is the ritual of kneel.

Well, now two net friends (网友) criticized the act of kneel associated with Chinese people, make it rebound the "heroic deed" that Deputy Mayor of Shandong Province kneeled on corruption in 2005. It is worthwhile studying the historical and cultural traditions hidden behind the simple kneeling. If one asks the how far can this worship traced back, the answer would be surprising. For the earliest written records of the kneeler be found, was Hsuanyuan Huangdi (黄帝), the very ancestor of Chinese ethnics. Recordings in Zhuangzi - Tian You stated that Huangdi, went to inquire the truth to Guang Liang Zi, in Mount Kung Tung, that he "kneeled in", and bidded farewell by "reworshiped, and kneeled out". Nowadays the relics of monastry sites of Guang Liang Zi still remains in Ping Liang, Gantzu. That kneeling was already widespread in Huangdi Era.

In Spring and Autumn Era, kneeling had been an established ritual, and under strict system. King Zhou Zhuang, rendered sacrifice cookings to Duke, with special care that Duke needed not to kneel for he was in advanced age. But Duke Huan persisted in his kneeling, and bowed down repeatedly: "By the compassion by the Majesty, how can I avoid the ritual?"

Another kneeling thing, surprisingly, that Qin Shi Huang kneeled for mercy to a tiny  commoner. In the book Tang Ju Haven't Failed His Mission, said very clearly, Qin exterminated Han and Wei nations, and very eager to swallow peacefully Anling, vassal of Wei. Qin Shi Huang cheated that he would be willing to change Anling of 50 miles with 500 miles of terrain. Anling King missioned Tang Ju to visit powerful Qin, while Qin Shi Huang showed his true colors. Tang Ju thrusted his sword and stepped on the imperil the Qin Shi Huang, who under husty fear kneeled down quite a while for mercy. This happened just four years before Qin Shi Huang exterminated all the six vassals and controlled whole China under unity.

In the Five era times (remaining Dynasty Tang), as chair was introduced to China from "western" vassal lands, kneeling itself had a subtle change. The Chinese ancestors used to sit on the ground, to kneel is just to shift the gravity forward, so there was little difference between sitting and kneeling. With the chair, the elegant high chair, the dignity is far higher than the kneeler. That is being to say that kneeling began to take a stigma of inferiority in itself.

Issue also well known was during the Qian Long reign in Qing Dynasty, in the Macartney Event, in 1793. The Britain sent a mission to China, by celebrating Qian Long's 80 anniversary, and wished to negociate to expand the trade issues. Qianlong was then in summer resort Cheng De, the "Dragon" Qianlong was simply enthusiasted and decided to host the negotiation in Cheng De, being an exception. He ordered his cunning official Heshen to organize the reception, the meals, living and entertainment was rich, and extra rewards were also prepared. Who knows that just before the negotiation two parties diametrically opposed on one issue: the kneeling ritual. Qing government think of themselves as "heavenly nation", allowing all the outsiders and primilages to worship the ritual. But the British only willing to kneel on one leg, refused to bow down. Qianlong was very unhappy, not only did not mention the expansion of trade, but also set deadline for mission's leaving. However, within less than 5 years, the British artillery opened the large-Qing's door to trade protectionism.

However, when we are confidently entering the 21st century, in Chian reappears nowhere the kneeling incidence. I feel complex and embarrased. Kneeling is the characteristic of the Chinese ethnics or the common human society? Human being has this same "slavity"? The answer is no. What is the reason that makes us so entrenched? This is something our "research" is going on.