中國文化以「禮樂」為其重要表現方向，能釐清禮樂文明的內涵，便能掌握中國文化之特徵。因此，本文透過祭祀意義的相關論述，說明中國文化的自覺表現模式。以下分成三個部分說明此一課題：首先，本文將從自覺、歧異性與統合性切入，說明文化定向的形成並非是生物的自然本能行動之歸納，而是一種自覺的創造性行動，缺乏自覺將無文化活動之可能，進而闡明「禮樂傳統」的自覺性創造意義；其次，分析禮樂傳統之特質，尤其集中論述價值意識的系統化問題，希望釐清禮樂內涵與具體生活之間的關聯性，指出中國文化以價值意識為統合動力，創造文化定向的內涵，並以祭祀為例，說明上述觀點在生活世界的落實；最後，將簡要分析禮樂傳統下的文化定向，所具有價值與意義。

“Ritual and music” are important aspects of Chinese culture, an understanding of their significance can provide the key to understanding characteristics of Chinese culture. Therefore, this paper illustrates the self-conscious mode of expression of Chinese culture by discussing the significance of sacrificial rites. This topic has three aspects: first, through analysis of self-consciousness, diversity and integration, we can gain an understanding of the formation of cultural orientation not as an induction of acts out of natural instincts governed by laws of biology, but as a creative act out of self-consciousness, without which cultural activities are not possible. This reveals the importance of “traditions of ritual and music” on the level of self-conscious creation. Second, the analysis of characteristics of “traditions of ritual and music” focuses on discussing issues on the systemization of awareness of value, in order to uncover the connection between the implication of ritual and music and ordinary life, and identify awareness of value as the unifying force to create meaning for Chinese cultural orientation. Sacrificial rites are given as examples to explain how the views above are actually implemented in real life. Finally, this paper briefly examines the value and significance of cultural orientation under “traditions of ritual and music.”