Traditional Virtues of China
To Respect Teachers and Value Education – Chinese Culture
It has been a long-standing tradition to value education and respect teachers in China. From ancient times, education has been paid much attention to by the Chinese people.
Since education is so highly respected in China, men of knowledge would have a higher social status and be esteemed by other people. There is an old saying that to be a scholar is to be the top of society, which show the important position of education in the mind of people.
Respect for education has determined the status of teacher. There are a lot of saying that show respect towards teachers, for example, “A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime”. For a long time, the position of teacher was honored by both the masses and the emperors.
In the temple of Confucius in Beijing, many emperors in the Qing Dynasty had written inscriptions to show their appreciation to Master Confucius.
In China, the honor shown to teachers is displayed in every aspect of social life. The teacher is always called sir or mentor. Nowadays, September the tenth is designed to be the Teachers’ Day.
Three Friends in Cold Weather – Chinese Culture
Pine, bamboo, and plum have always been regarded by Chinese people as the most beloved plants because they all thrive thought the cold winter days, just like friends who cherish the same ideas welcoming the advent of the spring together.
For this every reason, they are called “Three Friends in Cold Winter”, symbolizing the noble characters esteemed and pursued by Chinese people.
In China, the figure of “Three Friends in Cold Weather” is very common, which can be seen on containers, clothes and infrastructures. People with lofty ideals respect them for their pride and honor, while the common ones for their ever-lasting energy.
Pines are ever-green trees with strong vitality. They flourish even in cold winter, for this very reason they are honored with a character of strong will. However, they are more generally regarded as the symbol of longevity among the masses.
When the day of Cold Dew arrivers, many plants are withered, while bamboo survives and flourishes as usual in the cold wind. Because bamboo has hollow joints and is upstanding, it is gifted with characters of inflexibility and modesty and is honored as a “gentleman”.
Wile Chinese have the folk custom of firing the bamboo cracker to break away from the cold and evil, bamboo is also regarded as the symbol for security and auspice, as shown in the traditional decorative paintings.
The plum is one kind of the famous flowers of China. They are appreciated for their nobleness, purity and modesty which encourage people to improve themselves. Therefore, they have always been cherished and extolled by Chinese poets in the past.
Plums are also characterized as the advent of good news. Stories about plum and its meaning have been widespread for a long time.
There are still some other plants, such as chrysanthemum, orchid and lotus that are given a noble character mostly aspired after by people.
To Respect Teachers and Value Education – Chinese Culture
It has been a long-standing tradition to value education and respect teachers in China. From ancient times, education has been paid much attention to by the Chinese people.
Since education is so highly respected in China, men of knowledge would have a higher social status and be esteemed by other people. There is an old saying that to be a scholar is to be the top of society, which show the important position of education in the mind of people.
Respect for education has determined the status of teacher. There are a lot of saying that show respect towards teachers, for example, “A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime”. For a long time, the position of teacher was honored by both the masses and the emperors.
In the temple of Confucius in Beijing, many emperors in the Qing Dynasty had written inscriptions to show their appreciation to Master Confucius.
In China, the honor shown to teachers is displayed in every aspect of social life. The teacher is always called sir or mentor. Nowadays, September the tenth is designed to be the Teachers’ Day.
Filial Virtue – Chinese Culture
Respecting and taking care of the aged parents is regarded as an obligatory duty in China. Chinese people believe that only those who are concerned with and practice filial devotion tot their parents would be honest, faithful, and be grateful to others and seek ways to return their kindness.
There are many stories which show the filial respect in ancient China. “Taste Liquid Medicine for Mother” is the most famous one of them.
The story of “Taste Liquid Medicine for Mother” tells us the filial virtue of Han Wendi. His mother had been sick for three years. He often stayed up by her bedside and nursed her day and night.
He tasted the liquid medicine first before giving to her. (Chinese people take herbal medicine prescribed by Chinese doctors. Herbs are boiled with water to make a liquid medicine. Before giving such medicine to his mother, Han Wendi first tasted it to ensure it was not too hot or too bitter.)
Han Wendi was on throne for 24 years. He governed the country with morals, advocated rites and etiquette, and paid great attention to agricultural development. As a result, the Western Han became a stable and prosperous society. The economy was resumed and developed. This period is known as the “Peace and Prosperity During the Reign of Emperors Wen and Jing” in history.
Thought there are some parts of imagination in these stories, Chinese people are deeply influenced and transformed by these models of filial virtue.
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