Confucianism in Imperial China
"It is the law of nature that woman should be held under the dominance of man."
-Confucius
-Confucius
Confucius was very influential during Imperial China and he had many followers from all social and economic statuses. His teaching's were however anti-feminist.
"Confucians argued that the family was a microcosm of the state, and just as the state was ruled by a male emperor with the mandate of Heaven, the father possessed a natural authority that legitimized the social superiority of men in any context. The proper place for women was in the home..."
- Joseph A. Adler, Professor of Religious Studies, Kenyon College |
“From the time her hair is arranged and she meets him [during the wedding ceremony], she maintains the formality appropriate between an official and the ruler. When helping him wash or serving him food, she maintains the reverence appropriate between father and child.”
– The Book of Filial Piety for women based off Confucian teachings |
Mao Zedong was anti-confucist and worked to abolish Confucian practices and beliefs, such as arranged marriage and the conviction that women were inferior to men.
“To struggle against Confucius, the feudal mummy, and thoroughly eradicate…reactionary Confucianism is one of our important tasks in the Great Cultural Revolution.”
-People’s Daily, article written by Mao, January 10th, 1967
“To struggle against Confucius, the feudal mummy, and thoroughly eradicate…reactionary Confucianism is one of our important tasks in the Great Cultural Revolution.”
-People’s Daily, article written by Mao, January 10th, 1967