Confucianism: Ethical Cultivation and Social Relationships
Confucian thought connects ethical cultivation with relationships, ritual practice and responsibility.
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At a Chinese Meal: Ask, Observe and Communicate
Ask your host about the meal’s serving arrangement and state your own dietary needs clearly.
Zhongyong: Identifying the Doctrine of the Mean
Zhongyong, commonly called the Doctrine of the Mean, is a Confucian text associated with the Book of Rites.
What to Wear in China: Check the Actual Setting
Choose clothing by the venue, occasion and stated requirements, rather than a rule attributed to every Chinese person.
Emailing a Chinese Contact: Make the Request Clear
Use a clear subject, an appropriate form of address and a specific request.
Chinese Embroidery: A Li Textile Example from Hainan
Li textile traditions in Hainan combine spinning, dyeing, weaving and embroidery.
Mianzi: Reading the Social Meaning of 面子
面子 can refer to social prestige or face, as well as an outer surface.
Filial Piety: Family Responsibility in Confucian Thought
Filial piety concerns conduct toward parents and ancestors in Confucian ethical discussions.
Wuxing: The Five Phases in Chinese Thought
Wuxing describes five phases: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
Forbearance and Patience: 忍让 and 忍耐
忍让 and 忍耐 express forms of forbearance, endurance and patience.
Giving a Gift: Ask about the Occasion and the Recipient
Choose a gift with the recipient’s preferences and the specific occasion in mind.
The Golden Mean: Clarifying a Translation of 中庸
In discussions of Chinese thought, the English phrase golden mean can refer to 中庸, zhongyong.