The Rites of Zhou, originally known as "Officers of Zhou", is a Chinese work on bureaucracy and organizational theory. It was renamed by Liu Xin to differentiate it from a chapter in the Book of History by the same name. To replace a lost work, it was included along with the Book of Rites and the Etiquette and Ceremonial – becoming one of three ancient ritual texts listed among the classics of Confucianism.
Bronze chariot model based on a passage of the Rites of Zhou, "Make the criminal with his left foot cut off guard the gardens" (刖人使守囿; Yuè rén shǐ shǒu yòu)
Lady Xuanwen Giving Instruction on the Rites of Zhou by Chen Hongshou, 1638
Liu Xin, courtesy name Zijun, was a Chinese astronomer, classicist, librarian, mathematician, and politician during the Western Han and Xin dynasties. He later changed his name to Liu Xiu (劉秀) due to the naming taboo of Emperor Ai of Han. He was the son of Imperial librarian Liu Xiang and an associate of other eminent thinkers such as the philosopher Huan Tan. Liu was a prominent supporter of the Old Text classics.
Wang Mang's jialiang, used by Liu Xin in scientific measurements, held in the National Palace Museum, Taipei.