Everyone knows that in the past, whether it was a relative of the emperor or a dignitary, there were always a lot of palace maids and maids around them. After all, they represent money and power, and have an absolute status, and those maids have to sell themselves to them in order to make a living.
However, what is even more outrageous is that they not only need to be taken care of by a maid during the day, but also need a maid to stay by the bedside when they sleep at night.
In the eyes of many modern people, when sleeping at night
It's embarrassing to think of someone standing in front of you. But why weren't the ancients embarrassed?
In ancient China, especially in aristocratic and wealthy families, maids and maidservants played a very important role.
They are responsible for handling the daily needs of their owners, from food, clothing, shelter and transportation to more personal matters. On some special occasions, they also need to be prepared to deal with various emergencies.
In the feudal social structure, their existence reflects the social status of the owner and the pursuit of quality of life.
Therefore, there are maids at the bedside at night
The existence is not only a way to meet the needs of the owner, but also the embodiment of the social culture of the time.
First of all, the maid's vigil embodies the strict requirements of the ancient "bedkeeper". The maid who takes care of the bed is usually responsible for the host's night care, including but not limited to pouring tea and water.
In ancient times, when there were no modern conveniences, these services were essential to ensure that the owner slept comfortably. They are on duty every night to ensure that the owner is taken care of in a timely manner when needed.
Secondly, from a sociological point of view, the maid standing by the bedside is a symbol of power and status. In feudal society, the relationship between the master and the handmaiden was a hierarchical relationship of command and obedience. The lives and fate of the ladies of the court were entirely in the hands of the rulers. If the owner has any need, they have to meet it.
In addition, the understanding of privacy in ancient times was also different from that of modern people. In those days, it was common for family members to share private space, or even between master and servant. Especially in high society, for the convenience and safety of life, it is common for maids to stay by the bedside.
Also, in the society of that time, they would not have realized that there was something wrong with this, and they certainly would not have been embarrassed.
Of course, the maids don't stay on guard all night
Side. If their owners get married, they still have to keep their distance. They need to wait until it's all over before they can go inside and wait.
It is important to note that not all maids are eligible to stay at the master's bedside. Because they have a certain hierarchy within themselves, only first-class maids can be close to the service of their masters. For example, in "Dream of Red Mansions", the status of Mandarin Duck, Ping'er, and Raider is higher than that of other palace maids.
A maid who performs this duty is usually subjected to rigorous screening and a long test to prove her loyalty and competence. Once they receive such an "honor", their status and treatment will also rise.
The closer a maid is to her master, the more opportunities she has to be pampered. Once she gives birth to a child after being favored, she is very likely to become the "half head of the family" and achieve a change in status and class.
In ancient documents and historical records
In the article, we can also find descriptions of the life of the nobility and the royal family. At night, the maids and guards have their own division of labor. These records reflect a different concept of privacy in ancient societies than it does today.
In contrast, the life and social structure of ancient people focused more on family and social hierarchy than on personal feelings.
In conclusion, we should recognize that the social customs and lifestyles of different historical periods and regions in ancient times were very different.
For example, the social climate of the Tang Dynasty may be very different from that of the Song Dynasty, and the habits of the royal aristocracy may also be completely different from the customs of ordinary official families.
Therefore, we cannot generalize about the situation of maids guarding the bed, but should understand it in the context of specific historical background and social culture.
Ancient Chinese hierarchies, social structures and other customs were constantly changing, evolving, and falling into discard with the development of society. A lot of the old way of life is a thing of the past, but for us today, understanding the differences can make us appreciate our lives today.