通常认为“男尊女卑”是一种伦理道德规范。但是在中国古代社会,它不仅仅是伦理道德规范,而且也是法律规范,而且正是通过将之上升为法律规范后产生的强制作用进一步扩大和巩固了这一伦理规范的社会影响,以致这种理念根深蒂固,不仅影响了古代人,甚至在某些当代人的意识中仍留有较深印记。文章就中国古代“男尊女卑”观念的思想基础及在身份、婚姻、继承、刑事等方面的法律表现进行了考察。 It is generally accepted that “male superiority” is an ethical code. However, in ancient Chinese society, it was not only an ethical code, but also a legal code, and it was the social influence of this ethical code that was further expanded and consolidated by the mandatory effect of its rise to legal norms Deep-rooted ideas have not only affected the ancient people, but they have even been deeply imprinted in the consciousness of some contemporary people. The article examines the ideological basis of the concept of “male superiority and inferiority” and the legal representation in identity, marriage, inheritance and criminal law in ancient China.