Confucius’ Birthday Teachers’ Day
Confucius’ birthday is Teachers’ Day in Taiwan. September 28th is the day to celebrate and honor teachers and educators. Teachers’ Day celebration can be traced back to 1952 and even earlier. It is the birthday of Confucius who is the greatest philosopher in Chinese history.
Teachers’ Day in China is on September 10. It is a holiday in the Greater China region. You can see the celebration in Macaw and South Korea as well. The Confucius’ commemorate ceremony follows the traditional presentation with music, songs and dance. There are usually a group of 36 or 64 student performers in the Yi dance. The name of the dance performed in the celebration is bā yì wǔ 八佾舞 or liù yì wǔ 六佾舞.
What do Chinese children call Confucius?
Chinese children know Confucius as Master Kong. They call him Kǒngzǐ 孔子 or kǒng fūzǐ 孔夫子.
Has Confucius written any books?
The Analects of Confucius, Lúnyǔ 論語 | 论语, is a book that archived his conversations and teachings with his students and followers.
Where is Confucius birthplace?
Qufu 曲阜 in Shandong province, China is Confucius birthplace.
What year was Confucius born in?
551 BC! That means Confucius lived and taught in China about 2,500 years ago.
The top teachings of Confucius that Chinese children are familiar with and can recite in their minds.
“When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers.”
Sān rén xíng bì yǒu wǒ shī.
三人行 必有我師。 ｜三人行 必有我师。
“Isn’t it pleasant to learn and then practice and apply what you have learned?”
Xué ér shí xí zhī bù yì yuè hū.
學而時習之 不亦悅乎。｜学而时习之 不亦悦乎。
“Is it not delightful to have friends coming a long way to visit you?”
Yǒu péng zì yuǎn fāng lái bu yì lè hū.
有朋自遠方來 不亦樂乎。｜有朋自远方来 不亦乐乎。
“Education is for everyone.”
Yǒu jiào wú lèi.
有教無類。｜有教无类。
“What you don’t want others to do to you, don’t do to others.”
Jǐ suǒ bù yù wù shī yú rén.
己所不欲 勿施於人。
“While your parents are alive, you should not travel to a faraway place. If it is a must to travel, your parents should always be informed where you will be.”
Fù mǔ zài bù yuǎn yóu yóu bì yǒu fāng.
父母在不遠遊 遊必有方。｜父母在不远游 游必有方。
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step forward.”
Qiān lǐ zhī xíng shǐ yú zú xià.
千里之行 始於足下。
What will be the first Confucius’ teaching above that you will share with your child today? Why?
Photo by Photo by Bird Liang