周王時期的銅鼎

我們知道在青銅器中，鼎是最重要的一種，多用來煮牲祭天敬祖，是一種祭器。古人相信靈魂不死，所以人死后銅鼎被用來隨葬，在幽冥的世界中供其靈魂享用。

We know that the tripod is the most important kind of bronze ware. It is often used to cook animals to worship heaven and ancestors. It is a kind of sacrificial ware. The ancients believed that the soul did not die, so after death, the tripod was used to be buried for the soul to enjoy in the dark world.

在商周時代，鼎不再是單純的一種炊器了，而是最重要的一種禮器，成為禮樂制度中重要的象征物，被賦予了神圣和寶貴的色彩，是各級貴族的專用品，它被視為統治權力的象征。

In the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the tripod was no longer a simple cooking utensil, but the most important ritual utensil. It became an important symbol in the ritual and music system. It was endowed with sacred and precious colors. It was a special article for nobles at all levels. It was regarded as a symbol of ruling power.

周定王時，周王朝早已衰落，這時強大的楚國自有奪取周王權，取而代之的野心。楚莊王問鼎，顯示了對周王朝的輕蔑，是圖謀叛逆的一個具體反映。

When King Zhou was appointed, the Zhou Dynasty had already declined. At this time, the powerful state of Chu had its own ambition to seize the power of King Zhou and replace it. King Zhuang of Chu won the throne, which shows his contempt for the Zhou Dynasty and is a concrete reflection of his conspiracy to rebel.

西周大夫王孫滿為了維護早已風雨飄搖的奴隸制政權，自然不允許楚莊王問鼎之輕重的，所以必然要說些硬氣話，強調“在德不在鼎”、“周德雖衰，天命未改”，意思是周政權還可以維持下去。

Wang Sunman, a doctor in the Western Zhou Dynasty, naturally did not allow King Zhuang of Chu to win the throne in order to maintain the long-standing and precarious slavery regime. Therefore, he must say some tough words, emphasizing that "virtue is not in the tripod" and "although Zhou virtue is declining, fate has not changed", which means that the Zhou regime can still be maintained.