《礼记·曲礼上》
到了阶前，主客又互相谦让谁先登阶。谦让的结果主人先登，客人跟着，主人登上一阶，客人跟着登上一阶，每阶都是先举一足，而后举另一足与前足并拢，如此这般地一步接着一步地上去。上东阶的主人应先举右足，上西阶的客人应先举左足。
主人与客让登，主人先登，客从之，拾级聚足，连步以上。上于东阶则先右足，上于西阶则先左足。
Upon reaching the steps, the host and guest show each other deference as to who should ascend the steps first. After showing deference, the host ascends first, with the guest following behind. As the host steps onto the first step, the guest follows, and so on for each step. In ascending the eastern steps the host should always lead with his right foot, and the guest ascending the western steps should always lead with his left foot.