"Old Book of Tang, Biographies Volume 8 - Princess Pingyang": In the sixth year, she passed away. When preparing for her burial, an imperial decree granted her funeral procession the Feathered Canopy at front and rear, Drum and Wind Ensemble, Grand Carriage, Command Standard, forty Ceremonial Swordsmen, and Valiant Tiger Armored Soldiers. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices petitioned that according to rites, women should not have a Drum and Wind Ensemble. Emperor Gaozu said: "The Drum and Wind Ensemble is military music. In the past, the princess raised troops at Sizhu to respond to the righteous banner, personally commanding the drums, achieving merits of pacification. King Wen's mother of Zhou was listed among the ten wise ministers; the princess's contributions assisted in establishing the mandate, far surpassing ordinary women. How could she not have the Drum and Wind Ensemble!" Thus it was specially granted to honor her exceptional achievements. Furthermore, the relevant office was ordered to follow the posthumous naming rules - "virtuous and meritorious is called Zhao" - and the princess was posthumously named Zhao.
This historical record is relatively common. Let me explain what "Feathered Canopy at front and rear, Drum and Wind Ensemble, Grand Carriage, Command Standard, forty Ceremonial Swordsmen, and Valiant Tiger Armored Soldiers" refer to. Generally speaking, these were all high-level ceremonial processions for funerals.
Feathered Canopy: A long pole with bird feathers clustered like a canopy at the top, carried in the funeral procession.
Drum and Wind Ensemble: A musical band primarily performing stirring music (such as military music).
Grand Carriage: Typically refers to the emperor's high-class ceremonial carriage; its use in funerals demonstrated the deceased's noble status.
Command Standard: Another decorative banner or canopy raised on a pole.
Forty Ceremonial Swordsmen: Can be understood as forty "guards carrying ceremonial swords."
Valiant Tiger Armored Soldiers: Soldiers wearing ceremonial armor. #####This book's appendices contain numerous historical artifact images. As the publishing platform doesn't support image functions, please visit the author's Weibo to view them. Search for ID "Tang Dynasty Guide Forest Deer" on Sina Weibo. Welcome for discussions. ????
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