Three Character Classic
Encyclopedia
The Three Character Classic, Trimetric Classic or San Zi Jing is one of the Chinese classic texts
. It was probably written in the 13th century and attributed to Wang Yinglin (王應麟, 1223–1296) during the Song Dynasty
. It is also attributed to Ou Shizi
(歐適子, 1234–1324).
The work is not one of the traditional six Confucian classics, but rather the embodiment of Confucianism
suitable for teaching young children. Until the latter part of the 19th century, it served as a child's first formal education at home. The text is written in triplets of characters for easy memorization. With illiteracy
common for most people at the time, the oral tradition of reciting the classic ensured its popularity and survival through the centuries. With the short and simple text arranged in three-character verses, children learned many common characters, grammar structures, elements of Chinese history and the basis of Confucian morality.
The text fell into disuse during the Cultural Revolution
given the state's opposition to non-socialist ideologies. The classic, however, continued to circulate in other parts of the Chinese-speaking world with its inclusion in the Chinese Almanac
(通勝) along with several other classics such as the Thousand Character Classic
.
The first four verses state the core credo of Confucianism as developed by Mencius
, considered one of the most influential traditional Chinese philosophers after Confucius.
Even nowadays, the above two introductory quotes are very familiar to most youth in mainland China
and Taiwan
, if not known by heart. Though the work is no longer taught at public schools, some parents still use this classic to teach their young children to pronounce Chinese characters. It is sometimes a game for elementary school
children to show off who can recite the most sentences from this classic.
in 1900 and revised in 1910.http://www.archive.org/details/elementarychines00wangrich The translation was based on the original Song dynasty version. Giles had completed an earlier translation in the late 19th century but he rejected that and other early translations as inaccurate. Earlier translations into English include those by Robert Morrison, 1812; Solomon Caesar Malan and Hung Hsiu-ch'üan, 1856, and Stanislas Julien
, 1864.
The following stanzas do not appear in the Giles translation and originally appeared in Simplified Chinese. They list the dynasties that followed Song
up to and including the founding of republican China. These stanzas were probably added cumulatively sometime between late 13th century and after the founding of the People's Republic of China
.
¹ this line replaces the original one in the Song version where it says "The Seventeen Dynastic Histories... 十七史...".
Chinese classic texts
Chinese classic texts, or Chinese canonical texts, today often refer to the pre-Qin Chinese texts, especially the Neo-Confucian titles of Four Books and Five Classics , a selection of short books and chapters from the voluminous collection called the Thirteen Classics. All of these pre-Qin texts...
. It was probably written in the 13th century and attributed to Wang Yinglin (王應麟, 1223–1296) during the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
. It is also attributed to Ou Shizi
Ou Shizi
Ou Shizi was a Song Dynasty scholar. A native of Chencun, Shunde in Guangdong province, he was known as "Mr. Dengzhou" and was famous for his learnedness. His native village was renamed Dengzhou Village in commemoration of him...
(歐適子, 1234–1324).
The work is not one of the traditional six Confucian classics, but rather the embodiment of Confucianism
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...
suitable for teaching young children. Until the latter part of the 19th century, it served as a child's first formal education at home. The text is written in triplets of characters for easy memorization. With illiteracy
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
common for most people at the time, the oral tradition of reciting the classic ensured its popularity and survival through the centuries. With the short and simple text arranged in three-character verses, children learned many common characters, grammar structures, elements of Chinese history and the basis of Confucian morality.
The text fell into disuse during the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
given the state's opposition to non-socialist ideologies. The classic, however, continued to circulate in other parts of the Chinese-speaking world with its inclusion in the Chinese Almanac
Tung shing
The Tung Shing is a Chinese divination guide and almanac. It consists primarily of a calendar based on the Chinese lunar year.-History:...
(通勝) along with several other classics such as the Thousand Character Classic
Thousand Character Classic
The Thousand Character Classic is a Chinese poem used as a primer for teaching Chinese characters to children. It contains exactly one thousand unique characters. It is said that Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty commissioned 周興嗣 to compose this poem for his prince to practice calligraphy...
.
The first four verses state the core credo of Confucianism as developed by 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 ...
, considered one of the most influential traditional Chinese philosophers after Confucius.
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-
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- 人之初 (rén zhī chū) People at birth,
- 性本善 (xìng běn shàn) Are naturally good (kind-hearted).
- 性相近 (xìng xiāng jìn) Their natures are similar,
- 習相遠 (xí xiāng yuǎn) (But) their habits make them different (from each other).
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Even nowadays, the above two introductory quotes are very familiar to most youth in mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, if not known by heart. Though the work is no longer taught at public schools, some parents still use this classic to teach their young children to pronounce Chinese characters. It is sometimes a game for elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
children to show off who can recite the most sentences from this classic.
Editions
The most well-known English translation of the text was completed by Herbert GilesHerbert Giles
Herbert Allen Giles was a British diplomat and sinologist, educated at Charterhouse. He modified a Mandarin Chinese Romanization system earlier established by Thomas Wade, resulting in the widely known Wade-Giles Chinese transliteration system...
in 1900 and revised in 1910.http://www.archive.org/details/elementarychines00wangrich The translation was based on the original Song dynasty version. Giles had completed an earlier translation in the late 19th century but he rejected that and other early translations as inaccurate. Earlier translations into English include those by Robert Morrison, 1812; Solomon Caesar Malan and Hung Hsiu-ch'üan, 1856, and Stanislas Julien
Stanislas Julien
Stanislas Aignan Julien was a French sinologist.-Biography:Born at Orléans, he studied the classics at the Collège de France, and in 1821 was appointed assistant professor of Greek. In the same year he published an edition of The Rape of Helen of Coluthus, with versions in French, Latin, English,...
, 1864.
The following stanzas do not appear in the Giles translation and originally appeared in Simplified Chinese. They list the dynasties that followed Song
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
up to and including the founding of republican China. These stanzas were probably added cumulatively sometime between late 13th century and after the founding of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
| Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 辽与金 皆称帝 | 遼與金 皆稱帝 | |
| 太祖兴 国大明 号洪武 都金陵 | 太祖興 國大明 號洪武 都金陵 | |
| 迨成祖 迁燕京 十六世 至崇祯 | 迨成祖 遷燕京 十六世 至崇禎 | |
| 阉乱後 寇内讧 闯逆变 神器终 | 閹亂後 寇內訌 闖逆變 神器終 | |
| 清顺治 据神京 至十传 宣统逊 | 清順治 據神京 至十傳 宣統遜 | |
| 举总统 共和成 复汉土 民国兴 | 舉總統 共和成 復漢土 民國興 | |
| 廿二史 全在兹 载治乱 知兴衰¹ | 廿二史 全在茲 載治亂 知興衰¹ | The Twenty-two Dynastic Histories, are all embraced in the above. They contain examples of good and bad government, whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay. |
¹ this line replaces the original one in the Song version where it says "The Seventeen Dynastic Histories... 十七史...".
External links
- Song dynasty Chinese edition with the Herbert Giles English translation
- On-line learner's edition at Yellowbridge site
- Read and hear the audio at this Chinese/English site
- Audio in Mandarin
- Another site with audio of the San Zi Jing - Chinese only
- The Three Character Classic in Chinese with the Herbert Giles English Translation.
- Another English translation.
- Its debated revival in mainland China, China.org.cn
- Page on San Zi Jing, Depauw University