Six Arts
Encyclopedia
The Six Arts formed the basis of education
in ancient Chinese culture
. During the Zhou Dynasty
(1122–256 BCE), students were required to master the "liù yì" (六艺) (Six Arts):
Men who excelled in these six arts were thought to have reached the state of perfection, a perfect gentleman
.
The Six Arts have their roots in the Confucian philosophy
. As such, Xu Gan
(170–217 CE) discusses them in the Balanced Discourses.
The Six Arts concept developed during the pre-imperial period. It incorporated both military and civil components. The civil side was later associated with the Four Arts
(qin playing, chess, calligraphy and painting). However, the latter was more a leisure
characteristic for the late imperial time
. It evidently overlaps with the Six Arts, since the qin epitomized music, the chess (Go, a board-game known by its Japanese name) related to the military strategy, while calligraphy dealt with the aesthetics of writing and the character cultivation (the rites).
. This tradition gave much vigor to the Chinese culture until the after the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). The emphasis on the six arts also bred Confucian gentlemen who knew more than just the Four Books: Great Learning
, Doctrine of the Mean
, the Analects, and Mencius
. The requirement for a gentleman to know mathematics gave vigor to Chinese mathematics, astronomy, and science up to the Song dynasty (960–1279). Great mathematicians, astronomers, and scientists emerged sporadically during the pre-Yuan era.
Examples of these include Zu Chongzhi
(429–500) who lived in the North and South dynasty. Zu calculated the value of pi to six significant figures, the value of Jupiter's year to four significant figures, and the lunar year accurately, plus many more. Many of his feats were not repeated in the West until about a thousand years later.
Another scientist of note, Shen Kuo
(1031–1095), documented many scientific findings many years before the West. Other scientists of note include Liu Hui
(3rd century), Yang Hui
(1238–1298), Zhu Shijie
(13th century).
However, the Ming dynasty and the Qing dynasty in China lost parts of this knowledge. One can trace the disastrous loss of this knowledge to the rise of neo-Confucianism, as emphasized by Zhu Xi
. Neo-Confucianism underscored the importance of the four books and of the Analects over the other arts. Also, many books that were written in the pre-Yuan era were lost due to war and destruction.
By the Qing dynasty, the Chinese court was not able to manage the lunar calendar accurately, and the calendar was going out of phase with nature. This was a great embarrassment to the Chinese court, as the adherence to the lunar calendars by the vassal states was a recognition of the sovereignty of the Chinese court over them. The Qing emperors brought in Western Jesuits to help fix the Chinese calendar, even though more than a thousand years ago, the knowledge existed in China.
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
in ancient Chinese culture
Culture of China
Chinese culture is one of the world's oldest and most complex. The area in which the culture is dominant covers a large geographical region in eastern Asia with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns, cities and provinces...
. During the Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
(1122–256 BCE), students were required to master the "liù yì" (六艺) (Six Arts):
- Rites
- MusicMusic of ChinaChinese Music has been made since the dawn of Chinese civilization with documents and artifacts providing evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty...
- ArcheryArcheryArchery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
- CharioteeringChariotThe chariot is a type of horse carriage used in both peace and war as the chief vehicle of many ancient peoples. Ox carts, proto-chariots, were built by the Proto-Indo-Europeans and also built in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC. The original horse chariot was a fast, light, open, two wheeled...
- Calligraphy
- MathematicsChinese mathematicsMathematics in China emerged independently by the 11th century BC. The Chinese independently developed very large and negative numbers, decimals, a place value decimal system, a binary system, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry....
Men who excelled in these six arts were thought to have reached the state of perfection, a perfect gentleman
Junzi
Junzi or nobleman, was a term used by Confucius , to describe his ideal human. To Confucius, the functions of government and social stratification were facts of life to be sustained by ethical values; thus his ideal human was the junzi...
.
The Six Arts have their roots in the Confucian philosophy
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
. As such, Xu Gan
Xu Gan
Xu Gan was a philosopher and poet of the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was known in the cohort of the Seven scholars of Jian'an 建安七子 ....
(170–217 CE) discusses them in the Balanced Discourses.
The Six Arts concept developed during the pre-imperial period. It incorporated both military and civil components. The civil side was later associated with the Four Arts
Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar
The Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar, otherwise known as siyi , is a term used to describe four main accomplishments required of the Chinese scholar gentleman...
(qin playing, chess, calligraphy and painting). However, the latter was more a leisure
Leisure
Leisure, or free time, is time spent away from business, work, and domestic chores. It is also the periods of time before or after necessary activities such as eating, sleeping and, where it is compulsory, education....
characteristic for the late imperial time
Late Imperial China
Late Imperial China refers to the period between the end of Mongol rule in 1368 and the establishment of the Republic of China in 1912 and includes the Ming and Qing Dynasties...
. It evidently overlaps with the Six Arts, since the qin epitomized music, the chess (Go, a board-game known by its Japanese name) related to the military strategy, while calligraphy dealt with the aesthetics of writing and the character cultivation (the rites).
Developments
The requirement of students to master the six arts parallels the Western concept of the Renaissance ManRenaissance Man
Renaissance Man is a 1994 comedy film, directed by Penny Marshall, starring Danny DeVito, Gregory Hines, James Remar, and Ed Begley, Jr. It also features Mark Wahlberg in one of his earliest roles....
. This tradition gave much vigor to the Chinese culture until the after the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). The emphasis on the six arts also bred Confucian gentlemen who knew more than just the Four Books: Great Learning
Great Learning
The Great Learning was one of the "Four Books" in Confucianism. The Great Learning had come from a chapter in the Classic of Rites which formed one of the Five Classics. It consists of a short main text attributed to the teachings of Confucius and then ten commentary chapters accredited to one...
, Doctrine of the Mean
Doctrine of the Mean
The Doctrine of the Mean , is both a concept and one of the books of Confucian teachings. The composition of the text is attributed to Zisi the only grandson of Confucius, and it came from a chapter in the Classic of Rites...
, the Analects, and Mencius
Mencius
Mencius was a Chinese philosopher who was arguably the most famous Confucian after Confucius himself.-Life:Mencius, also known by his birth name Meng Ke or Ko, was born in the State of Zou, now forming the territory of the county-level city of Zoucheng , Shandong province, only thirty kilometres ...
. The requirement for a gentleman to know mathematics gave vigor to Chinese mathematics, astronomy, and science up to the Song dynasty (960–1279). Great mathematicians, astronomers, and scientists emerged sporadically during the pre-Yuan era.
Examples of these include Zu Chongzhi
Zu Chongzhi
Zu Chongzhi , courtesy name Wenyuan , was a prominent Chinese mathematician and astronomer during the Liu Song and Southern Qi Dynasties.-Life and works:...
(429–500) who lived in the North and South dynasty. Zu calculated the value of pi to six significant figures, the value of Jupiter's year to four significant figures, and the lunar year accurately, plus many more. Many of his feats were not repeated in the West until about a thousand years later.
Another scientist of note, Shen Kuo
Shen Kuo
Shen Kuo or Shen Gua , style name Cunzhong and pseudonym Mengqi Weng , was a polymathic Chinese scientist and statesman of the Song Dynasty...
(1031–1095), documented many scientific findings many years before the West. Other scientists of note include Liu Hui
Liu Hui
Liu Hui was a mathematician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. In 263, he edited and published a book with solutions to mathematical problems presented in the famous Chinese book of mathematic known as The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art .He was a...
(3rd century), Yang Hui
Yang Hui
Yang Hui , courtesy name Qianguang , was a Chinese mathematician from Qiantang , Zhejiang province during the late Song Dynasty . Yang worked on magic squares, magic circles and the binomial theorem, and is best known for his contribution of presenting 'Yang Hui's Triangle'...
(1238–1298), Zhu Shijie
Zhu Shijie
Zhu Shijie , courtesy name Hanqing , pseudonym Songting , was one of the greatest Chinese mathematicians lived during the Yuan Dynasty....
(13th century).
However, the Ming dynasty and the Qing dynasty in China lost parts of this knowledge. One can trace the disastrous loss of this knowledge to the rise of neo-Confucianism, as emphasized by Zhu Xi
Zhu Xi
Zhū Xī or Chu Hsi was a Song Dynasty Confucian scholar who became the leading figure of the School of Principle and the most influential rationalist Neo-Confucian in China...
. Neo-Confucianism underscored the importance of the four books and of the Analects over the other arts. Also, many books that were written in the pre-Yuan era were lost due to war and destruction.
By the Qing dynasty, the Chinese court was not able to manage the lunar calendar accurately, and the calendar was going out of phase with nature. This was a great embarrassment to the Chinese court, as the adherence to the lunar calendars by the vassal states was a recognition of the sovereignty of the Chinese court over them. The Qing emperors brought in Western Jesuits to help fix the Chinese calendar, even though more than a thousand years ago, the knowledge existed in China.