Sima Xinyi
In the Taimiao, there is respect! The king personally leads the sacrifice, and the officials praise and follow. The king personally makes sacrifices, and the lady offers the bowl. The king personally cuts the sacrifice, and the lady offers wine. The ministers and the great officials follow the lord, and the women of the court follow the wives. They are respectful and loyal, and they are eager to receive the feast. The offering of animals is reported in the courtyard, the blood and hair are reported in the room, and the soup is reported in the hall. The three reports are not in the same position, which is probably because they have sought but not obtained them. The sacrifice is set up in the hall, and the sacrifice is made outside, so it is said: "Is it there? Is it here?" One is to offer a pledge, three is to offer a text, five is to offer a review, and seven is to offer a god. The feast is for the king! The three animals, fish and meat are the delicacies of the four seas and nine states; the offerings of the dishes are the harmony of the four seasons. The gold inside is to show harmony. The bundle of silk and the jade disk are to honor virtue. The tortoise is in the front, which is to predict the future. The gold is next, which is to show affection. The red lacquer, silk, bamboo and arrows are to share the wealth with the people. The rest are not regular goods, and each country has what it has, so it is to bring distant things. When it goes out, it is sent in the summer, which is probably a heavy ceremony. Sacrificing to the emperor in the suburbs is the utmost respect. The sacrifice in the ancestral temple is the highest level of benevolence. The funeral is the highest level of loyalty. The preparation of clothing and utensils is the highest level of benevolence. The use of money by guests is the highest level of righteousness. Therefore, if a gentleman wants to observe the way of benevolence and righteousness, etiquette is the root.
