The capital system of the West Zhou Dynasty included three capitals, that is, the Zhou of Qi, the Zhou of Zong, and the Zhou of Cheng. The Zhou of Qi was the Holy Capital, the Zhou of Zong the Folk Capital and the Zhou of Cheng the Secondary Capital of the West Zhou Dynasty. As the Holy Capital, the Zhou of Qi was the principal center of sacrifice. It was not only the place where the Zhou family rose to power and the highest rank of sacrifice was carried out. It boasted of large quantities of largescale family temples, which was far superior to the Zhou of Zong as the Folk Capital. However, with the change of political situations, the Zhou of Qi gradually lost its political place as the Holy Capital in the midandlate Zhou Dynasty.

capital of the West Zhou Dynasty; the capital system; the Holy Capital; the Folk Capital