imported>Ciic at 01:03, 16 May 2017

2017-05-16T01:03:46Z

New page

[[file: Mencius' mother.JPEG|thumb|200px|left|The mother of Mencius]]

'''Chang-shih''', '''the mother of [[Mencius]]''' ('''孟母''') is regarded as one of the great mothers in [[China]]’s history because of her influence on her son, who became one of China’s most distinguished philosophers and Confucian scholars.

Born in the state of Zhou (now Zhoucheng in Shandong_Province) during [[the Warring States Period]] (475BC-221BC), [[Mencius]] lost his father when he was very young. He received all his early education from his mother. Chang-shih was very considerate and paid close attention to her son’s academic and moral education.

Legend has it that Chang-shih moved home three times so that her son could find the right atmosphere for studying.

Their first house was near a cemetery and the young [[Mencius]], distracted by the noise of the funeral rites, began mimicking the chanting of the burial services. Chang-shih decided to move house.

Their next home was in a bustling neighborhood where [[Mencius]] began to imitate the cries of the street traders and hawkers. Disapproving of her son’s new pastime, Chang-shih moved house again.

This time they settled near a school where, influenced by the students’ modest manners and learning habits, [[Mencius]] started to show an interest in academic study. Pleased with her son’s new attitude, Chang-shih decided to stay put.

The tale is often told in China, and Chang-shih is regarded as a very wise mother. Recently a group of citizens began campaigning for the government to officially recognize Mother’s Day in memory of [[Mencius]]’ Mother.

[[category: people]]

The mother of Mencius - Revision history

imported>Ciic at 01:03, 16 May 2017