Abstract
The study of portraits and eulogies of venerable sages in the Song Dynasty constitutes a vital component of sage research and serves as a key avenue for understanding the interaction between local sacrificial rites and political culture during the Song period. Current scholarly discourse remains insufficient in exploring their spatial distribution and functions. This paper systematically examines eulogies and related records of sages found in the Complete Works of the Song Dynasty, Songera gazetteers, and anthologies of Song scholars. It analyzes the spatial distribution characteristics and political-social functions of sage worship across diverse settings such as temples, government offices, official academies, and ancestral shrines. The research reveals that the distribution of portraits and eulogies of sages in the Song Dynasty followed a distinct spatial logic and functional orientation: Temples and government offices predominantly venerated sages renowned for virtuous governance and enduring legacy. This practice aimed to inspire incumbent officials to emulate these exemplary figures by highlighting their moral achievements, thereby strengthening administrative ethics and moral education. Official academies, meanwhile, emphasized venerating sages who contributed to local cultural and educational development. By praising their achievements in promoting education, these institutions guided scholars to diligently study and cultivate virtue, thereby advancing regional educational progress. The findings reveal that the spatial differentiation of venerated sages in the Song Dynasty reflected the deep integration of state power and local practices: different sites achieved differentiated moral instruction and social integration for groups of officials, the scholar-official class, and the populace by selectively venerating specific sages.
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How to cite this paper
Spatial Distribution and Function of Portraits and Praises of Eminent Scholars from the Song Dynasty
How to cite this paper: Jiao Sun. (2025) Spatial Distribution and Function of Portraits and Praises of Eminent Scholars from the Song Dynasty. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 9(12), 2245-2249.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.12.005