The gold content of appreciating the flower feathers: from the equivalent of the marquis in the early Qing Dynasty to the two hundred taels in the late Qing Dynasty
Author: Wen Reading History (I hope you will support and pay more attention to Wen Reading History)
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In the long history of the Qing Dynasty, as a unique official honor symbol, Hualing's status and gold content have undergone great changes from prosperity to decline. From a noble symbol comparable to a marquis in the early Qing Dynasty to a commodity that could be easily purchased for only 200 taels of silver in the late Qing Dynasty, the changes of Hua Ling not only reflect the political, economic and cultural evolution of the Qing Dynasty, but also profoundly reveal the rise and fall and transformation of the feudal social hierarchy. This article will discuss in depth the changes in the gold content of the flower feather from the aspects of the origin, development, change and historical motivation behind it.
1. The origin and initial status of Hua Ling
1. Definition and production of flower feathers
Flower feathers, as the name suggests, are ornaments made of peacock's tail feathers as a material, which were inserted into the official hats of Qing Dynasty officials as a symbol of status and status. According to the number of pattern holes on the peacock's feathers, the flower feathers are divided into three grades: single-eyed flower, double-eyed flowery and three-eyed flower, of which the three-eyed flowery is the most noble. The production process of the flower feather is delicate, the selection of materials is strict, and each feather needs to be carefully selected and processed before it can become a glorious thing on the head of the official.
2. Initial status and symbolism
In the early Qing Dynasty, it was extremely difficult to give Hua Ling, and its status was comparable to that of a marquis. This is because the flower feather not only represents the favor and trust of the emperor, but also a symbol of the identity and status of the official. At that time, the flower feather was mainly given to certain classes such as Manchu and Mongolian nobles, clan princes, and internal ministers, and ordinary Hanchen and foreign court officials rarely had the opportunity to obtain it. The right to wear the flower feather is strictly limited, making it extremely high in gold and becoming an honor that officials compete to pursue.
Second, the development and changes of Hualing
1. The evolution of the period from Shunzhi to Qianlong
In the eighteenth year of Shunzhi, in view of the favor and pursuit of Hualing by hundreds of officials, the imperial court officially designated Hualing as a symbol of official rank. Since then, the wearing range of flower feathers has gradually expanded, but it is still dominated by clan princes, Manchu and Mongolian relatives and ministers. During the Qianlong period, the reward objects of the flower feather were further relaxed, and the princes, grandsons, princes and county kings and other clan dignitaries also obtained the qualification to wear the flower feather. However, the flower feathers of this period still maintained a very high status of dignity, and their gold content was not reduced due to the expansion of the wearing range.
2. The decline of Qianlong from the late Qianlong to the end of the Qing Dynasty
In Qianlong's later years, with the change of the political situation and the corruption of social customs, the gold content of Hualing began to gradually decrease. Emperor Qianlong had intended to make the five-eyed flower feather the exclusive symbol of the kings to show their extraordinary status and dignity, but this idea was not realized due to He Shen's dissuasion. Since then, the scope of Hua Ling's reward has been further relaxed, and as long as it is an official who has meritorious service to the state, it is possible to receive Hua Ling's reward. However, this relaxation does not mean that the reward is excessive, and it still takes a great deal of effort and contribution to get the flower feather.
In the late Qing Dynasty, the gold content of Hualing was greatly reduced. With the rise of the donation system, flower feathers became a commodity that could be bought and sold. Initially, it cost 10,000 taels of silver for flower feathers and 5,000 taels for blue feathers, but the price fell sharply soon after. In the Guangxu period, Hua Ling's value plummeted to two hundred taels of silver, which can be easily purchased. At this time, Hua Ling has completely lost its former glory and noble status, and has become a commodity that can be bought and sold at will.
3. Analysis of the reasons for the change of the gold content of the flower feather
1. The evolution of the political system
The evolution of the political system of the Qing Dynasty is one of the important reasons for the change of the gold content of the flower feathers. In the early Qing period, the Qing regime was not yet fully consolidated, and the emperor needed to maintain his authority and dominance through a strict hierarchy. Therefore, as a symbol of status and status, the flower feather was strictly limited to a specific class such as the princes of the clan, the Manchu and Mongolian nobles, and the ministers. However, with the consolidation of the Qing regime and the decline of the feudal system, the hierarchy gradually loosened, and the range of wearing of the flower feather also expanded. In the late Qing Dynasty, with the turbulence of the political situation and the corruption of the social atmosphere, the gold content of Hualing dropped significantly.
2. The role of economic factors
Economic factors are also one of the important reasons for the change of the gold content of the flower feather. In the early Qing Dynasty, due to the relative backwardness of the economy and the lack of materials, the production cost of Hualing was high and the quantity was limited, so its gold content was extremely high. However, in the late Qing Dynasty, with the development of commodity economy and the intensification of currency circulation, the production cost of flower feathers gradually decreased and the number increased. At the same time, the rise of the donation system also provided convenient conditions for the purchase and sale of flower feathers. The combination of these factors has led to a significant decrease in the gold content of Hualing.
3. Changes in social climate
The change of social atmosphere is also one of the important factors leading to the change of the gold content of the flower feather. In the early Qing Dynasty, due to the relatively simple social atmosphere and strict hierarchy, officials' desire and pursuit of Hua Ling was mainly based on political and identity considerations. However, in the late Qing Dynasty, with the development of the commodity economy and the corruption of social customs, the officials' pursuit of Hua Ling gradually changed to the pursuit of material interests. As a result of this change, the gold content of the flower feather has decreased dramatically and gradually lost its significance as a status and status symbol.
Fourth, the historical significance of the change in the gold content of the flower feather
1. It reflects the evolution of the political system of the Qing Dynasty
The change of the gold content of the flower feather is not only an important microcosm of the evolution of the political system of the Qing Dynasty, but also reflects the historical process of the feudal social hierarchy from strict to loose. From the strict restriction of flower feathers in the early Qing Dynasty to the indiscriminate reward and sale of flower feathers in the late Qing Dynasty, it can be seen that the evolution of the Qing Dynasty's political system was a process of gradual relaxation and disintegration.
2. It reveals the decay of the hierarchical system of feudal society
The changes in the gold content of the ornamental feathers also reveal the decay of the hierarchical system of feudal society. In feudal society, the hierarchical system was regarded as an important means of maintaining social stability and ruling order, but this system itself had serious drawbacks and defects. With the progress and development of society, the hierarchy gradually lost the rationality and necessity of its existence, and eventually declined and disintegrated.
3. It reflects a change in social climate
The change in the gold content of the flower feather also reflects the change in social atmosphere. In the early Qing Dynasty, the social atmosphere was relatively simple and hierarchical, and the officials' desire and pursuit of Hua Ling was mainly based on political and identity considerations. However, in the late Qing Dynasty, with the development of the commodity economy and the corruption of the social atmosphere, the officials' pursuit of Hualing gradually changed to the pursuit of material interests, which not only reflected the change of social atmosphere, but also reflected the change of people's values.
V. Conclusion
The gold content of the flower feather has undergone great changes from the equivalent of the marquis in the early Qing Dynasty to the two hundred taels of silver in the late Qing Dynasty. This change not only reflects the evolution of the Qing Dynasty's political system, the role of economic factors, and changes in social atmosphere, but also reveals the decay and historical limitations of the feudal social hierarchy. Through the in-depth discussion of the changes in the gold content of the flower feathers, we can more deeply understand the development and evolution of the history of the Qing Dynasty, and can also see more clearly the inevitable trend of the decline and disintegration of feudal society.