Han Honor

Han Honor

During the emperor Wu’s reign in the Han Dynasty, China officially became a Confucian state and prospered domestically. The people of ancient China valued family relationships. The emperor Wu’s reign represents the height of ancient Chinese civilization. It was during his reign that Confucianism became a national religion. Unfortunately this was all initiated over a back drop of feudalism. Chinese feudal lords ruled over entire geographic regions and the families that resided within them before and after Wu’s reign.

The family as the basic unit of all society is a central tenant of Confucianism. A specific hierarchy is observed that honors older family members and governing authorities.
All actions by any family member reflect on the entire family. So, disrespectful members of the family can be hidden or shunned. Accomplished family members bring honor on the entire family. The Chinese people therefore tend to think in terms of being in a group instead of the rugged individualism of western thought. One family member’s success and accomplishment can bring fulfillment and meaning to all members of the family.

The philosophy of Lao Tzu also had a major impact on feudal China as well. Unlike Confucianism, Taoism is individual and its mysticism allowed for private practice which became a natural consequence of conforming to Confucian social norms. So the virtues that the ancient Chinese observe are Confucian but the inward desire is Taoist.

Honor is the distinguishing virtue of the Han dynasty. The elements of respect, accomplishment and Taoist piety combine to form the rituals of honor in the hierarchy of family, tribal and government relationships. Honor is a verb and a noun in the language of virtue.

Taken from the Analects of Confucius at http://www.hm.tyg.jp/~acmuller/contao/analects.html#div-1

[1:11] Confucius said: "When your father is alive, observe his will. When your father is dead observe his former actions. If, for three years you do not change from the ways of your father, you can be called a 'real son (hsiao).' "
[Comment] In terms of the development of the character of the human being, the most fundamental practice is that of "filial piety," the English translation of the Chinese hsiao, which means to love, respect and take care of one's parents. Confucius believed that if people cultivated this innate tendency well, all other natural forms of human goodness would be positively affected by it. [Chinese Source Text]
『1-12』有子曰：「禮之用, 和爲貴。先王之道, 斯爲美; 小大由之。有所不行, 知和而和, 不以禮節之, 亦不可行也。」