What are the Thirteen Classics

Thirteen Classics, formed in the Southern Song Dynasty.

The thirteen classics are Zhouyi, Shangshu, Shi Mao, Zhou Li, Yi Li, Book of Rites, Chunqiu Zuozhuan, Chunqiu Yanggong Zhuan, Chunqiu Guliang Zhuan, Analects of Confucius, Filial Piety, Erya and Mencius.

His writing was in different times, from ancient times to Qin and Han dynasties; Its content is extremely extensive, including philosophy, literature, history, politics, economy, language, ethics, folklore, geography, science and technology, laws and regulations, and so on. This is an indispensable and most important historical document for the study of ancient China society. The establishment of "Thirteen Classics" has a gradual process.

The original classics of Confucianism are the Six Classics, which is what Confucius said, namely, poetry, calligraphy, ceremony, music, righteousness, spring and autumn.

Yue was lost as early as the end of the Warring States period, so Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty only established the Five Classics of Poetry, Calligraphy, Rites, Righteousness, Spring and Autumn.

As the rulers of the Han Dynasty flaunted "ruling the world with filial piety", by the Eastern Han Dynasty, The Analects of Confucius and The Classic of Filial Piety were regarded as required reading books for scholars other than the Five Classics, so the Confucian classics were extended to the Seven Classics.

In the Tang Dynasty, there was also the theory of "Nine Classics" in the study subjects and imperial examinations of state schools. These are nine classics, such as The Book of Songs, The Book of Changes, Zhou Li, The Book of Rites, Biography of Gongyang in the Spring and Autumn Period, Biography of Chunqiu and Biography of Zuoshi in the Spring and Autumn Period.

In the "Seven Classics" and "Nine Classics", some ancient biographies and records explaining the meaning of classics have also been included in the scope of classics.

In the Tang Dynasty, the Analects of Confucius and the Book of Filial Piety were required to be studied by all scholars, and they were called "concurrently classics". During Tang Wenzong's reign (827-840), the imperial court ordered the Nine Classics, The Analects of Confucius, The Classic of Filial Piety and Er Ya to be engraved on stone tablets, totaling twelve volumes, which were called the Twelve Classics. These scriptures and stone carvings have been preserved to this day, which is the famous "Kaishi Chengjing".

In the Song Dynasty, Neo-Confucianism raised Mencius to the position of Confucian classics. During the Yuan You period, Mencius was included in the imperial examinations in northern Song Zhezong. Since then, Confucian classics have become "Thirteen Classics". Since then, the names of the Thirteen Classics have stabilized and remained unchanged until the end of feudal society.

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Confucian culture was in a dominant position in feudal times. As a classic of Confucian culture, the Thirteen Classics has great respect and far-reaching influence, which is incomparable to any other classic. The supreme ruler not only seeks the strategy of governing the country and leveling the world, but also follows the Confucian classics to standardize the thoughts of his subjects, establish ethics and morality, and guide the folk customs.

The influence of Confucian classics on society is ever-present and ubiquitous. To understand and study all aspects of China's feudal society, we must read the Thirteen Classics.

Thirteen Classics is the ancestor of handed down documents and the source and backbone of Confucian ideology and culture. Its content is extensive and profound, including many aspects of traditional culture, such as the thinking mode of harmony between man and nature, the ideal of harmony in the world, the principle of people-oriented governance, the ethical proposition of harmonious interpersonal relationship, the spirit of unremitting struggle and so on.

The essence of these thoughts and spirits permeates the national character and psychology, and has a strong cohesion, which still has a positive impact.

Guanzhong area in Shaanxi Province was the capital of thirteen dynasties, including Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang, and was the economic and cultural center at that time. Experienced the prosperous development and heyday of Confucian classics. The cultural remains in Xi 'an area are very rich, and the famous stone scriptures of Tang Dynasty are hidden in the forest of steles in Xi 'an.

Baidu encyclopedia-thirteen classics

Baidu Encyclopedia-Notes on Thirteen Classics