纵歌秋风：续弦寻找与重婚风俗的探究
在宋朝，寡妇好嫁成为了一种社会现象，这不仅体现在法律上，也体现在文化和习俗中。 widow remarriage, or the custom of a woman marrying again after her husband's death, was prevalent in Song Dynasty China. This phenomenon can be observed from both legal and cultural perspectives.
Firstly, let us examine the legal aspect. The Code of Tang (Tanglu), which served as a basis for later law codes including the Song Code, stated that "a widow who marries again shall not be punished." Thus, there was no legal impediment to remarrying after one's spouse had passed away.
This permissive stance towards remarriage was also reflected in other aspects of society. For instance, Confucianism emphasized family values and social order over individual desires or emotions. As such, it did not prohibit remarriage outright but rather encouraged it as a means to ensure the continuation of lineage and property within families.
Moreover, societal pressure played an important role in encouraging widows to remarry. Widows were often expected to provide care for their children and maintain their late husbands' properties until they reached adulthood or married off themselves. In many cases, this led them to seek out new partners who could offer financial support during these difficult times.
To illustrate this point further let us consider several historical examples:
Shen Kuo's mother: Shen Kuo himself mentioned in his book "Dream Pool Essays" that his mother married again when he was young because she wanted someone to help raise him while keeping her late husband's property intact.
Madame Xiao: In Su Shi's poem "The Lady Xiao", Madame Xiao is portrayed as a strong-willed woman who has chosen not only her second husband but also her own burial site.
The story of Wu Zetian: Known for being one among few women ever elevated into emperorship during Chinese history - Emperor Wu Zetian - began life as an imperial consort before becoming empress dowager following the death of Gaozong Emperor; upon Gaozong's passing she became Empress Regent for their son Zhongzong Emperor before eventually ascending herself onto the throne at 63 years old.
In conclusion,"Song Dynasty Widow Remarriage" was more than just a trend; it represented an essential part of maintaining social order by ensuring family continuity while catering to personal needs under specific circumstances. Through examining its various facets – laws enacted around marriage customs plus examples drawn from historical records - we gain insight into how this tradition shaped people’s lives back then especially those belonging amongst lower classes where resources were scarce yet familial responsibilities remained paramount concerns with regards survival itself