What is the patriarchal system in China?

The patriarchal system evolved from the patrilineal patriarchal system of clan society, a system in which the royal aristocracy distributed state power according to blood relations in order to establish hereditary rule. It was characterized by the merging of clan organization and state organization into one, and the complete alignment of the patriarchal and political hierarchies.

This system was established during the Xia Dynasty, developed during the Shang Dynasty, completed during the Zhou Dynasty, and influenced the subsequent feudal dynasties. According to the patriarchal system of the Zhou Dynasty, the clans were divided into major and minor clans. The King of Zhou, who called himself the Son of Heaven, was known as the great clan of the world. The sons of the Son of Heaven other than the first-born son were named vassals. The vassals were minor clans to the Son of Heaven, but major clans within his feudal state. The other sons of the vassals were divided into ministers. The ministers were small to the vassals, but large within their fiefs. The same was true from the chief minister to the scholar. Therefore, the first-born sons of the nobles were always the dazong (宗子) of different ranks. The dazong not only enjoyed the right to rule over the members of the clan, but also enjoyed political privileges. Later, the rulers of various dynasties transformed the patriarchal system and gradually established the feudal patriarchal system consisting of the power, clan power, divine power and husband's power.