How did the sedan chair develop in ancient times, from the means of transportation to the symbol of rank?

Sedan chair was originally a human-propelled vehicle. It existed in the Xia dynasty, but it was not called a sedan chair at that time, and there was no exact name. The structure of this sedan chair is very simple. A chair that can sit and lie is supported by two long straight sticks and carried by two people. It is usually used when people or things need to be lifted through winding mountain roads.

In the Song Dynasty, the sedan chair had a clear name and a clear object of use. Before Song Dynasty, what was the name of sedan chair? Shoulder? In the Tang dynasty, when emperors traveled, servants usually took them with them? Shoulder? There are luxurious carriages or seats on it to show that the emperor is superior. Later, as the sedan chair technology became more and more mature, the emperor's favorite concubine or the emperor's children would also travel on their shoulders. At this time, the sedan chair is dedicated to the nobles of the palace.

But with the passage of time, in the Song Dynasty, Shoulder? Gradually from noble to civilian, but also has its own unique title? Sedan chair, the size of sedan chair invented by people at that time was not much different, and the space in sedan chair was not big, but the degree of luxury was quite different. At that time, there were two people carrying the sedan chair, four people carrying the sedan chair and eight people carrying the sedan chair, which is what we are talking about now? Eight sedan chairs? .

Sedan chairs are not only used for the travel of dignitaries, but also for weddings. Eight sedan chairs, ten miles of red makeup, suona singing together? In order to show the importance to the bride and show the groom's family strength through a grand wedding, it gradually became the custom of getting married in a sedan chair and spread among the people. Therefore, in ancient times, sedan chair was not only a means of transportation, but also a symbol of rank. Different types and styles of sedan chairs, even different colors represent different levels of people. Ordinary people often judge the status of people in sedan chairs through their styles.