The Original Name of the So-called “Zhi” Bronze Ware
Bronze Zhi has few names. The bronze vessels we now call Zhi were classified and named by the Song Dynasty according to the vessel types and rites. However, compared with the literature records, zhi, which often appears in the literature as a drinking ritual vessel, is not the zhi that song people call it. At present, there are only a few bronze zhi with their own names, which can be divided into four kinds. Mr. Xie Mingwen argues that the bronze “Zhi” is “guan”. This paper verifies this view from the perspective of the archaeological unearthed combination and the shape and form of the artifacts. We believe that to discuss the original name of Bronze Zhi, we need to treat it separately according to the shape and structure of the utensils. Daigaizhi and Wugaizhi in the early Western Zhou dynasty were different in shape, size, capacity and system of use. The former is a drinking cup, while the latter is a small wine holder. Daigaizhi and Wugaizhi may be different in the early Western Zhou Dynasty. If the renaming is based on a personal name, we recommend that daigaizhi be renamed as “Guan” only.