周王时期的铜鼎

我们知道在青铜器中，鼎是最重要的一种，多用来煮牲祭天敬祖，是一种祭器。古人相信灵魂不死，所以人死后铜鼎被用来随葬，在幽冥的世界中供其灵魂享用。

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.

在商周时代，鼎不再是单纯的一种炊器了，而是最重要的一种礼器，成为礼乐制度中重要的象征物，被赋予了神圣和宝贵的色彩，是各级贵族的专用品，它被视为统治权力的象征。

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.

周定王时，周王朝早已衰落，这时强大的楚国自有夺取周王权，取而代之的野心。楚庄王问鼎，显示了对周王朝的轻蔑，是图谋叛逆的一个具体反映。

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.

西周大夫王孙满为了维护早已风雨飘摇的奴隶制政权，自然不允许楚庄王问鼎之轻重的，所以必然要说些硬气话，强调“在德不在鼎”、“周德虽衰，天命未改”，意思是周政权还可以维持下去。

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.