司仪 is an ancient title revived for a modern role. Per 《
周礼·
秋官》 (Rites of Zhou, Office of Autumn), the original
司仪 was a court official tasked with receiving guests and managing diplomatic protocol. The Northern Qi and later the Sui-Tang created a
司仪署 (Bureau of Ceremonies) handling funerary rites under the Court of State Ceremonial. The Ming reduced
司仪 to a master of announcements at imperial ceremonies. The Qing abolished the post — but the word survived to become today's wedding/event MC.
