The Nature of the Phrase 'with folded hands bowing prostrate' as Seen through the Perspective of Composition of Western Zhou Bronze Inscriptions
2017
Abstract
Contrary to the widespread belief that the inscriptional phrase "bai shou qi shou" represents a description of a person's a ritual kow-tow performed at the royal ceremony, this article argues that this phrase was a common figure of speech used in ritual intercourse expressing respect and thanks; contemporary epigraphic evidence and analysis of historical development of use of this phrase as well as consideration of compositional practice are induced to support such claim; finally the article argues that while in some cases, the phrase is indeed used descriptively, in most of the cases it is employed as polite figure of speech.