What was a li vessel used for in ancient Chinese ceremonies?

In ancient Chinese ceremonies, the li was a vessel primarily used for cooking food. It is characterized as a wide-mouthed, round-bodied vessel supported by three hollow legs, which were shaped like pointed lobes and formed an extension of the vessel's interior volume.12

These bronze vessels were central to theocratic governance and were utilized in divinatory ceremonies to provide sacrificial offerings—such as meat, wine, and grain—to the spirits of clan ancestors. While many vessels were intended for use in temple sacrifices, some were also buried with their owners. The li was part of a broader category of ritual bronzes that demonstrated the power and wealth of ruling elites, particularly during the Shang dynasty and Zhou dynasty.1