The patriarchal clan system evolved from the patriarchal clan system, which is a system in which the royal family and nobles distribute state power according to blood relationship in order to establish hereditary rule. It is characterized by the combination of clan organization and state organization, and the patriarchal hierarchy is completely consistent with the political hierarchy.

2. Purpose

The purpose of patriarchal clan system is not to disperse or weaken the political privileges, titles and property rights of slave owners and nobles, but also to maintain the order within the ruling class and strengthen the rule over slaves and civilians. Patriarchal system has a great influence on later generations, the core of which is direct inheritance system, that is, the eldest son born to his wife is the legal heir to the throne. China had already established the hereditary system of the throne in Xia Dynasty, but there were also "the father died and the son succeeded" and "brothers and sisters lived together". At the end of Shang Dynasty, the system of direct inheritance was completely established. From the beginning of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the chieftain inheritance system was established, that is, "the chieftain was established with seniority instead of virtue, and the son was established with seniority instead of seniority", thus further improving the patriarchal clan system.

3. Historical evolution

This system was established in Xia Dynasty, developed in Shang Dynasty and completed in Zhou Dynasty, and influenced later feudal dynasties. According to the patriarchal clan system of the Zhou Dynasty, clans were divided into large and small clans. Zhou Wang claimed to be the son of heaven, calling himself the greatest Sect in the world. Except for the eldest son, all the sons of the son of heaven were made princes. The vassal was a small clan to Tiandi, but it was a big clan in his feudal country. The prince's other sons were named Doctor Qing. Doctor Qing was a small clan to the princes, but it was a big clan in his fief. The same is true from young doctors to scholars. Therefore, the eldest son of a noble is always the eldest son of a different rank. Bulk not only enjoys the right to rule clan members, but also enjoys political privileges. Later, the rulers of various dynasties reformed the patriarchal clan system and gradually established a feudal patriarchal clan system composed of political power, clan, theocracy and husband power.