What are the characteristics of ancient Chinese legal culture?

The first characteristic of ancient Chinese law is "emphasizing entity over procedure", the second is illogical, and the third is "emphasizing human feelings".

In ancient China, both Confucianism and Legalists believed that law was only a tool to govern society, and the best way to implement law was to realize the ultimate goal of social stability immediately. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of stabilizing social order, various means can be taken. It embodies the emphasis on results, conclusions, intuition and practice. At the same time, the judicial officials in ancient China did not think of the difference between legal relief and administrative relief. In order to save the world, they often regard trial activities as a means of social relief directly from the emotional point of view. So the above three characteristics have been formed.

The influence of ancient Chinese legal culture

Ancient Chinese legal culture is an important part of China traditional culture. Because of its characteristics, it has played a role in promoting and safeguarding traditional culture and ancient civilization in China. Ancient laws were based on agriculture, natural economy and society, and the hierarchical privilege system formed by patriarchal clan system adapted to the development of ancient society.

Ancient Chinese laws organized people's beneficial experience accumulated in production, and gave the state compulsory power to promote it in relevant social fields, which promoted the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and handicrafts. At the same time, it runs through humanistic spirit and ethics, maintains family relations and promotes neighborhood harmony and national unity.