Society and Culture of The Han Dynasty - Social Class - Twenty Ranks

Twenty Ranks

The Han court upheld a socio-economic ranking system for commoners and nobles, which was based on the twenty-ranks system installed by the statesman Shang Yang (d. 338 BCE) of the State of Qin. All males above the age of 15 (excluding slaves) could be promoted in rank up to level eight. When a commoner was promoted in rank, he was granted a more honorable place in the seating arrangements of hamlet banquets, was given a greater portion of hunted game at the table, was punished less severely for certain crimes, and could become exempt from labor obligations to the state. Moreover, he was exempted from labor service obligations. This system favored the elderly, since a longer lifespan meant more opportunities to become promoted. In addition to an increase in salary (see table to the right), newly promoted men were granted wine and ox-meat for a celebratory banquet. The 19th and 20th ranks were both marquess ranks, yet only a 20th rank allowed one to have a marquessate fief.

Promotions in rank were decided by the emperor and could occur on special occasions, such as installation of a new emperor, inauguration of a new reign title, the wedding of a new empress, or the selection of a royal heir apparent. The central government sometimes sold ranks to collect more revenues for the state. The official Chao Cuo (d. 154 BCE) once wrote that anyone who presented a substantial amount of agricultural grain to the government would also be promoted in rank.

The twenty-ranks system (二十公乘)
Rank level
and Chinese name		 English translation Annual salary measured in
bushels or shi (石) of millet
1. 公士 Gongshi Gentleman 50
2. 上造 Shangzao Distinguished Accomplishment 100
3. 簪袅 Zanniao Ornamented Horses 150
4. 不更 Bugeng No Conscript Service 200
5. 大夫 Dafu Grandee 250
6. 官大夫 Guan Dafu Government Grandee 300
7. 公大夫 Gong Dafu Gentleman Grandee 350
8. 公乘 Gongcheng Gentleman Chariot 400
9. 五大夫 Wu Dafu Grandee 450
10. 左庶长 Zuo Shuzhang Chief of the Multitude on the Left 500
11. 右庶长 You Shuzhang Chief of the Multitude on the Right 550
12. 左更 Zuo Geng Chieftain of Conscripts on the Left 600
13. 中更 Zhong Geng Chieftain of Conscripts in the Center 650
14. 右更 You Geng Chieftain of Conscripts on the Right 700
15. 少上造 Shao Shangzao Second-Order Distinguished Accomplishment 750
16. 大上造 Da Shangzao Most Distinguished Accomplishment 800
17. 驷车庶长 Siju Shuzhang Chieftain of the Multitude Riding a Four-Horse Chariot 850
18. 大庶长 Da Shuzhang Grand Chieftain of the Multitude 900
19. 关内候 Guannei Hou Marquis of the Imperial Domain 950
20. 彻候 Che Hou Full Marquis 1,000

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