This article illustrates the general meaning and role of ZhouLi in the early and mid Tang Dynasty. In the author’s opinion, ZhouLi played an important role in the civil administration in the earlyandmid Tang Dynasty, which is shown not only in the that establishment of posts, but also in advocating morality, the state ritual system and state administration. The author states that the role of ZhouLi in the court of Taizong, the court of Empress Wu, the reign of Xuanzong and the Postrebellion Period, reviews the different attitudes and assessment from governors, political hierarchy and scholarly elites, and reveals the complex meaning of ZhouLi and its influence on the following generations as an ancient authoritative classic. In the author’s opinion, the Tang Dynasty respects the ancient classics, takes a serious attitude to the changes of tradition and makes reform over time, which is an important inspiration for us.

ZhouLi; Tang Dynasty politic; civil administrative tradition; state ritual system