The four books and five classics in ancient China refer to

Everyone has heard of the Four Books and Five Classics, but they don't necessarily know which classic it is. The Four Books and the Five Classics are the core carriers of Confucianism, collectively known as the Four Books and the Five Classics, with profound contents and rich cultural connotations, and are the most precious spiritual wealth of our Chinese nation. In ancient times, from emperors to generals to ordinary people, the Four Books and Five Classics were the basis of self-cultivation, family harmony and moral integrity.

The names of the Four Books and Five Classics were first seen in the Southern Song Dynasty, and they were compiled and merged by Zhu, a famous philosopher in the Southern Song Dynasty. The so-called Four Books refer to The University, The Analects of Confucius, Mencius and The Doctrine of the Mean, which are the basic textbooks for Confucian cultural and ideological education. The so-called Five Classics are the general names of the Five Classics: The Book of Songs, Shangshu, Book of Rites, Zhouyi and Chunqiu. Confucius' textbook in the pre-Qin period was originally the Six Classics, but Jing Yue lost it, so only the Five Classics were left. Let's briefly introduce these classics:

First, "university". This was originally an article in the Book of Rites, which is said to have been compiled by Confucius' disciples who took part in sorting out the contents of Confucius' lectures. "University", as its name implies, is the learning of adults. It mainly talks about the important thoughts of self-cultivation, keeping the family in order, governing the country and leveling the world. It is an introductory book for beginners of Confucian moral thought.

Second, The Analects. It is a classic compiled by Confucius' disciples and their disciples, and it is one of the important classic works of Confucianism. Confucius is the founder of Confucianism. This classic records the words and deeds of Confucius and his disciples on the basis of quotations and dialogues, and embodies Confucius' educational principles, moral concepts, ethical thoughts and political opinions. Although Yi * * * has only 20 articles, 12000 words, it is rich in content and profound in meaning. It has been widely praised for thousands of years and is one of the compulsory textbooks in ancient times.

Third, Mencius. It was compiled by Mencius himself and his disciples, and it is a book that records Mencius' words and deeds. Mencius was revered as a saint by later generations. This book mainly reflects Mencius' political thoughts, political views and his political behavior, and also belongs to an important Confucian classic.

Fourth, the golden mean. It is also an article in the Book of Rites. According to legend, it was written by Confucius' grandson Zisi, and it is a work of "Confucius teaches the heart". Since the Song Dynasty, it has become the most important classic of Neo-Confucianism or Taoism. The doctrine of the mean is an ideological proposition of Confucianism, and the doctrine of the mean refers to an impartial, eclectic and harmonious attitude towards life. The doctrine of the mean also means perfection, that is, don't go to extremes when dealing with problems, but find the most suitable way to solve problems perfectly.

Fifth, Zhouyi. This classic is called "the head of the group classics and the source of the avenue", and it is an ancient and profound philosophical classic of China. It was originally a book of divination. Later, Confucian scholars compiled some works explaining Zhouyi and compiled a book, which was regarded as a Confucian classic. This classic reveals many truths about the changes of the universe, occupies a core position in ancient academic circles, plays an irreplaceable role in promoting the cultural connotation of China, and is also a classic with the deepest influence on China culture.

Sixth, Shangshu. This is the earliest official history book in China. "Shang" means "ancient times" and "Shangshu" means "ancient books", which is a compilation of ancient historical events. It is divided into four parts: Yu Shu, Xia Shu, Shangshu and Zhou Shu. It records the words and deeds of some emperors in Yu, Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties, and is the earliest compilation of historical documents in China.

Seven. Book of Songs. This is the earliest collection of poems in the history of China literature. According to legend, it was collected by Yin Jifu and compiled by Confucius. A * * collected more than 300 poems from the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty to the middle of the Spring and Autumn Period, which was called "300 poems" by later generations. Confucius commented on the Book of Songs and said, "There are 300 poems. In a word, it is said that thinking is innocent". According to the different contents, it is divided into three parts: "wind", "elegance" and "ode", which comprehensively reflects all aspects of social life in the pre-Qin period. At the same time, the extensive application of techniques such as Fu, Bi and Xing in poetry initiated the realism of China's traditional poetry.

Eight. Book of rites Also known as the gift of little wear. Legend has it that it was written by Confucius' disciples and compiled by Dai Sheng, a ritual scholar in the Western Han Dynasty. It is an important collection of laws and regulations in ancient China, which contains rich Confucian thoughts and historical materials. Centered on rites and music, this classic mainly records and discusses the ritual system and etiquette in the pre-Qin period, as well as the remarks of Confucius and his disciples and the principles of self-cultivation. , involving politics, ethics, education, aesthetics, philosophy, culture, religion and life, with profound theory and rich content.

Nine, "Spring and Autumn". This is the earliest extant chronicle work in China. According to legend, it is one of the Confucian classics compiled and revised by Confucius according to the Spring and Autumn Annals compiled by Lu historians. It recorded an important historical event that lasted for 242 years from the year of Luyin (722 BC) to the fourteenth year of Lu Aigong (48 BC1year). Its contents include weddings and funerals between vassal States, allied expeditions, usurping the throne and killing the king, and so on. The words in the book are meticulous, but the meaning is obvious. Every sentence is implicit and profound, implying praise or disapproval. Later generations called Confucius's "righteous and upright" style of writing "Spring and Autumn brushwork".

The Four Books and Five Classics are cultural classics with a long history and high status in China, and they are the crystallization of the wisdom of China sages. Reading the Four Books and Five Classics regularly and feeling the influence of traditional culture can not only cultivate one's self-cultivation, increase one's knowledge, but also help to achieve a different life.