English

Family is a key part of Chinese civilization. Confucianism believes that the concept of family is as important as that of a nation or the world.

Therefore, capable people would level up his family first. Then they could manage the nation to prosperity. Finally, they could bring security and peace to the world.

There is a Chinese story that tells of a rich man who got drunk outside his villa and a security guard went to help take him home. The rich man asked the security guard: “Home? Where is my home?” Confused, the security guard asked whether the villa was his home. However, the man answered: “No, it isn’t. It is my house.”

To many Chinese, home is more than buildings or houses. It must have an emotional connection. Family relations and values are extremely important for Chinese, with some families even having jiapu or genealogy records to document the evolvement of the clan.

China’s family hierarchy

Genealogy would specify blood relations between members of the clan. When genealogy was initiated, seniority of the family hierarchy had been decided.

While giving names to the young generation, people can pick up a pre-decided word listed in the genealogy to identify the younger generation’s lineage in the family tree. Based on the surname and the specific word, the younger generation’s status and their clan’s history would be revealed.

For thousands of years, Chinese people have cherished the happy life enjoyed by several generations of family members living under the same roof.

For holidays, especially for the Spring Festival, family members, no matter how far away they are, would travel back home for a most-cherished family reunion. Taking a family photograph or enjoying a dinner would become the happiest thing in the world.

Originally published on April 7, 2013 by GBTIMES