Wen and wu: Difference between revisions
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The [[posthumous name]]s of the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BCE) founders, [[King Wen of Zhou|King Wen]] and [[King Wu of Zhou|King Wu]], represent the two terms as standing in the "father-and-son" relationship. Since the [[Battle of Muye|conquest of Shang]] and creation of the Zhou imperial order were the most discussed events of the classical era, the two impersonated terms had very broad currency. However, their origin is presently impossible to pinpoint.<ref>McNeal, 13-14.</ref> |
The [[posthumous name]]s of the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BCE) founders, [[King Wen of Zhou|King Wen]] and [[King Wu of Zhou|King Wu]], represent the two terms as standing in the "father-and-son" relationship. Since the [[Battle of Muye|conquest of Shang]] and creation of the Zhou imperial order were the most discussed events of the classical era, the two impersonated terms had very broad currency. However, their origin is presently impossible to pinpoint.<ref>McNeal, 13-14.</ref> |
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''[[Garden of Stories|Shuoyuan]]'', compiled by Liu Xiang (77-6 BCE, Han dynasty), gives a classical example of the terms' balancing against each other: |
''[[Garden of Stories|Shuoyuan]]'', compiled by [[Liu Xiang (scholar)|Liu Xiang]] (77-6 BCE, Han dynasty), gives a classical example of the terms' balancing against each other: |
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[[King Cheng of Zhou|King Cheng]] enfeoffed [[Bo Qin]] [the Duke of Zhou's son] as the Duke of Lu. Summoning him, he addressed him, saying: "Do you know the Way of acting as the ruler over the people? ... Should you possess the civil but lack the martial, you will have no means to awe those below. Should you possess the martial but lack the civil, the people will fear you but not draw close. If the civil and martial are implemented together, then your awe-inspiring [[De (Chinese)|virtue]] will be achieved."''<ref>McNeal, 15.</ref> |
<blockquote>''[[King Cheng of Zhou|King Cheng]] enfeoffed [[Bo Qin]] [the Duke of Zhou's son] as the Duke of Lu. Summoning him, he addressed him, saying: "Do you know the Way of acting as the ruler over the people? ... Should you possess the civil but lack the martial, you will have no means to awe those below. Should you possess the martial but lack the civil, the people will fear you but not draw close. If the civil and martial are implemented together, then your awe-inspiring [[De (Chinese)|virtue]] will be achieved."''<ref>McNeal, 15.</ref></blockquote> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 09:45, 22 March 2014
Wen and wu - a conceptual pair in Chinese philosophy and political culture, describing opposition and complementarity of civil 文 and military 武 realms.
The concept was formed during the Chunqiu and Warring States periods, and best articulated in the 3-2 centuries BCE. However, it was made less evident for the Western scholars because of (1) the aberrated perception of the importance of Confucianism in the pre-imperial and early imperial era, and (2) the purported pacifist nature of Confucianism in their interpretation.[1]
Differentiation between wen and wu was engaged in discussions on criminal punishment, administrative control, creation and reproduction of social order, education and moral transformation.[2]
History of the terms
The posthumous names of the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BCE) founders, King Wen and King Wu, represent the two terms as standing in the "father-and-son" relationship. Since the conquest of Shang and creation of the Zhou imperial order were the most discussed events of the classical era, the two impersonated terms had very broad currency. However, their origin is presently impossible to pinpoint.[3]
Shuoyuan, compiled by Liu Xiang (77-6 BCE, Han dynasty), gives a classical example of the terms' balancing against each other:
King Cheng enfeoffed Bo Qin [the Duke of Zhou's son] as the Duke of Lu. Summoning him, he addressed him, saying: "Do you know the Way of acting as the ruler over the people? ... Should you possess the civil but lack the martial, you will have no means to awe those below. Should you possess the martial but lack the civil, the people will fear you but not draw close. If the civil and martial are implemented together, then your awe-inspiring virtue will be achieved."[4]
See also
Literature
- McNeal, Robin. Conquer and Govern: Early Chinese Military Texts from the Yi Zhou shu. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 2012.