📖 Meaning
The institutional laws and statutory codes of the imperial court and the state. It refers to the established systems of governance, administrative regulations, and canonical procedures that govern a dynasty. The phrase is synonymous with 朝章国故.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Sui Shu (Book of Sui), in the bibliography treatise. It recounts how Xun Xu, Director of the Palace Library during the Jin dynasty, compiled the Wei-era 'Inner Canon' catalog and produced a 'New Register.' Though ancient texts and old bamboo slips still had gaps, the newly gathered chapters and later records were numerous enough to uphold the right path and set norms for the age. However, when the forces of Liu and Shi invaded and the capital fell, the court's statutes and the state's canonical codes were thereby lost and scattered.
💡 Example Usage
历代史官不仅记载帝王言行，更须详录朝章国典，以备后世参酌。
Court historians of every dynasty recorded not only the words and deeds of rulers, but also the statutes and canonical codes of the state, so that later generations might consult them.
🏷️ Category
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 朝章国典
- Pinyin: cháo zhāng guó diǎn
- Literal Translation: court, statutes, state, canonical codes
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4