The Connotation of "Primary School" in China Traditional Culture

The "National Studies" established by the Central Committee of the Zhou Dynasty is divided into two parts: the university, also known as "imperial academy", is located in the southern suburbs of the capital, and the primary school is located on the left side of the palace. According to the regulations at that time, aristocratic children entered primary school at the age of 8, and entered university at the age of 15. At that time, the subjects students studied were "six arts", namely etiquette, music, archery, imperial examination, calligraphy and mathematics. "Etiquette" refers to the training of people's moral behavior norms, operational skills and personal qualities in national political and social life; "Music" is the teaching of virtue, including music and dance. "Rites and music" complement each other, both external and internal. Rites are mandatory, and music focuses on cultivating people's inner feelings, which is a subtle role. "Shooting" means archery, and "Imperial" means riding a horse. Both belong to military training, which is to cultivate the fighting ability of aristocratic children. The above four arts are "great arts" and are the main contents of university study; "Book" is writing, "number" is calculation, and above it is "small art", which is the main content of primary school learning.