Xiaosi may have never been to the National Palace Museum in Taipei, so he is very interested in it. He often goes to the website of the National Palace Museum in Taipei to search for information and see what recent exhibitions there are.

Xiaosi may be very interested in the National Palace Museum in Taipei because he has never been to the National Palace Museum in Taipei . He often goes to the website of the National Palace Museum in Taipei to search for information and see what recent exhibitions there are. There will be an interesting exhibition about Confucius at the National Palace Museum in Taipei the day after tomorrow.

In the 23rd year of Kangxi's reign (1684), the Holy Ancestor of the Qing Dynasty was lucky enough to drive to Qufu on his southern tour and visit the former residence of Confucius in Queli. He was given a royal-penned "Teacher of All Times" list and hung it in the Dacheng Hall. The following year, an imperial edict was issued to imitate this plaque and present it to the Confucian Temple around the world. Therefore, the four words "Teacher of All Times" became the best synonym for Confucius. Today, "Teacher of All Times" is also the oldest and largest plaque in the Dacheng Hall of Tainan Confucius Temple in Taiwan.

Confucius (551 B.C.-449 B.C.) was a descendant of the Yin Shang Dynasty who was granted the title of Song State. He was born in the Lu State. His surname was Kong, his given name was Qiu, and his courtesy name was Zhongni. Later generations respectfully called him Confucius or Confucius. He was a thinker and educator in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. He edited poems and books, praised the Book of Changes, established rituals and music, and revised the Spring and Autumn Annals. It became a must-read textbook for later generations to obtain imperial examinations, and had a profound influence on Chinese culture. Neighboring regions such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia were also influenced by its teachings, forming a Confucian cultural circle.

Confucius was revered by Mencius as the "Sage of the Age", which means that his thoughts can be applied to all eras. Confucius's words, deeds, deeds, and experiences from his travels to various countries are all preserved in The Analects of Confucius and Confucius' Family Sayings, or scattered in the "Historical Records" and the historical stories of various schools of thought. There are many works related to Confucius in the collection of paintings and calligraphy of this hospital. In addition to various portraits of Confucius in paintings and prints, many Han official masterpieces in calligraphy, inscriptions from past dynasties, classic mottos, and imperial pen plaques are also historical traces left by the respect for Confucianism since the Han Dynasty. A total of thirty-five pieces were selected for this exhibition, divided into four sections: "Small Statues of Saints", "Official Steles to Reverend Saints", "Respecting Confucianism through the Past" and "Classic Pictures" to pay homage to this man who has been famous for thousands of years. Pay tribute to the eternal teacher who nourishes Chinese culture with the rain of saintliness.

Although Confucius became a teacher of kings in his later years, the earliest record of shaping Confucius' portraits can be found in "Book of the Later Han Dynasty." "The Biography of Cai Yong", until the first year of Guanghe (178), the first year of Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Hongdu Menxue was installed, and the portraits of Confucius and his seventy-two disciples were painted. The time was more than 600 years later than when Confucius was alive. Most of the various Confucius drawings we see today that have become established impressions are actually based on the speculations and imaginations of later generations based on descriptions in the literature.

Small portraits of saints

Busts of the most holy saints

Form: Volume size: 33.3 9-1281), since the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC- 476 BC) to the Yuan Dynasty, one hundred and twenty famous Confucian scholars of all dynasties originally installed the "Nanxun Hall" in the Qing Palace where images of wise emperors, empresses and ministers were enshrined.

According to the title and seal number, it can be seen that the painting time was after the first year of Yuan Wenzong's reign (1330) after Confucius' major disciples were awarded the title of duke. This selection of exhibitions starts with the seven volumes of Confucius' Four Philosophies Ten Philosophies mounted in sequence. The Ten Philosophies are found in "The Analects of Confucius." "Advanced Eleven", Confucius said that the virtues of the best in the four subjects of Confucius are: Yan Yuan , Min Ziqian , Ran Boniu , Zhong Gong. Words: Zaiwo, Zigong. Political affairs: Ranyou, Ji Lu. Literature: Ziyou, Zixia. The four pairs of dishes were established in the third year of Xianchun (1267) of Duzong in the Southern Song Dynasty.

Song Gaozong's Book of Filial Piety Ma Hezhi Drawing

Format: Book Size: 28.8 Made into a book. People from all walks of life in society are divided into five levels, from the head of state to the common people, marking the rules and ways for them to practice filial piety. This painting is selected from the first page of "Book of Filial Piety Sutras on Calligraphy and Painting of the Song Dynasty". It shows Confucius in the middle giving lectures and Zeng Zizhang kneeling to ask filial piety. It is speculated that it was originally a long scroll with pictures and text connected, but was later modified into an album with separate calligraphy and painting due to damage.The whole volume is supplemented by pictures and texts, and each frame uses different scenes to interpret the dual meanings of filial piety and loyalty to the emperor from all walks of life, fully highlighting the original intention of "making a speech for the emperor". The writing style of this volume is slightly similar to that of Emperor Gaozong, and it was probably ghostwritten by a calligrapher from the Royal Academy. The style of the painting is different from that of Ma Hezhi, and it is actually a work of the Song Dynasty.

A study of the statue of Confucius in the Qingsheng temple

Form: Gu Yuan, the sixth year of Daoguang reign in the Qing Dynasty. Volume size: 18 , sitting upright holding a wat. Judging from the gestures and the toothy expression on the face, it is inferred that the painting should be the appearance of Confucius recorded in "The Analects of Confucius: Xiangdang": "In the imperial court of the ancestral temple, he spoke casually, but he was careful." Confucius holds the object in the "Book of Rites - Yu Zao": "The emperor uses ball jade, the princes use elephants, the officials use fish-bearing asparagus bamboo, scholar bamboo, the original, the elephant can also... Anyone who has finger painting in front of the king, use the wat; make it. When receiving an order from the king, he writes it on the wat. After using it, it is decorated. "According to the ancient etiquette, the princes and officials must hold the wat when they see the emperor. If they need to draw in front of the emperor, they will do it with the wat. This painting shows Confucius explaining political affairs to the emperor in the temple. The lines are similar to ancient gossamer drawings, and the strokes are even and fine. The text on the opposite side is the posthumous title given to Confucius by the emperors from the Zhou Dynasty to the Sui Dynasty.

Carving stele to worship Confucius

After the death of Confucius, emperors and local officials of all dynasties enshrined Confucius and built Confucius temples and carved stones and erected stele to commemorate his event. Those who wrote the monuments were all the favorites in the contemporary literary world. Over time, they formed a forest of steles that are famous far and wide. Among them, such as the "Yi Ying Stele", "The Ritual Vessel Stele" and the "Shi Chen Stele" were all written by the Han Dynasty. Li's masterpieces have left many famous works worthy of imitation for today's calligraphy lovers.

Han Yiying Stele

Form: axis Size: 191.1 x 88.5

"Yiying Stele" was erected in the first year of Yongxing (153) of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The inscription records that Kong Lin, the 19th grandson of Confucius, requested to establish a hundred-stone memorial ceremony in accordance with the ancestral temple customization of the Han Dynasty, and was responsible for the ritual utensils of the Confucius Temple and the various etiquettes of the Spring and Autumn Festival. The matter was reported to Lu's former Prime Minister Yi Ying and later Prime Minister Ping, as well as Situ Wu Xiong and Sikong Zhao Jie, and finally the sage Kong He was selected to take charge of the matter because of his academic integrity and filial piety. The original stele was in Qufu, Shandong Province, also known as the "Confucius Monument". It is currently placed in Qufu Confucius Temple . The official script of the stele is dignified, solemn, thick and graceful. People in the Qing Dynasty regarded it as a typical example of Han official script. It is one of the official script models that most people imitate.

In addition to the deacons of the temple, this stele mentions several times that "the Wang family gave money to the dogs and wine", "Henan Yin gave one cow, sheep, hog and chicken each. The great farmer gave rice", which can be a sacrifice for the founding of the Confucius Temple. of reference materials.

Wei Li Zhongxuan repairs the Confucius Temple stele

Form: Axis Size: 213.6 On the forehead of the stele is written "Stele of Lu Confucius Temple" in seal script with a claw-like end. Li Jue, the governor of Yanzhou, repaired the dilapidated walls of the Confucius Temple, reconstructed the portrait of Confucius, and erected statues of the ten sages of Confucius. The inscriptions are in regular script, with many official and official scripts, mixed with large and small seal scripts and official scripts, and a large number of variant characters, reflecting the popular calligraphy style at that time.

This stele is the earliest known record of statues of Confucius and his ten disciples. In ancient times, there were statues of Confucius in the Confucius Temple. However, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1398) ordered that new Confucius temples be built later because some of the statues could not express the spirit of Confucius. All statues were replaced with memorial tablets. During the Jiajing period of Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty (1522-1566), he ordered the evacuation of Confucius from all over the country. The statues of Confucius are all worshiped with tablets, which is why there are so few statues of Confucius in Confucius temples today.

Respect for Confucianism through the ages

Confucius may be the person who had the greatest influence on China. His influence can be seen in the long history, such as the words of Xunzi and Mencius, the exegesis and interpretation books of the past dynasties, and the writings of famous Confucian scholars who uphold the spirit of Confucius. ’s proverbs, as well as a large number of the Four Books and Five Classics translated into Manchu in the Qing Dynasty. In addition, the imperial plaques in Confucius temples in various places can also show that Confucius' name was honored after his death and was honored by emperors of all dynasties.

The Holy Ancestor of the Qing Dynasty’s Yubi Shu, the Master of the Eternal Writings

Form: Horizontal Phi Size: 109.2 Later, under the guidance of Shen Quan (1624-1686), he learned Dong Qichang (1555-1636) running calligraphy and learned from famous writers in the Song and Yuan Dynasties.

Kong Yuqi, the 67th generation eldest grandson of Confucius, records in "Xinglu Grand Ceremony" that in the 23rd year of Emperor Kangxi's reign (1684), the Holy Ancestor visited Confucius's former residence and presented him with the imperial book "Teacher of All Times", which was published in the following year. I was ordered to copy and engrave this plaque and present it to the Tianwen Temple."

This work was originally a cultural relic of the Confucius family . The font is thick and thick, the strokes are steady, the force is well-proportioned, and the strokes are finished quickly and decisively. It is a rare masterpiece of the holy ancestor's imperial pen and large characters. The layers of calligraphy and painting are clear, and the traces of the brush strokes are unmistakable. The letters are the original traces of the plaques given by the holy ancestors of Confucius temples in various places.

Qing Jiang Yuanshu Illustrations of various buildings in Tai County during the reconstruction

Format: Qingcai picture book Size: 32.3 x 41.1

Jiang Yuanshu ( 1738-1781), courtesy name Zhongsheng, nickname Xiangyan, a native of Changshu, Jiangsu Province. He was elected in the 24th year of Qianlong's reign (1759), and served as the prefect of Taiwan from the 40th year of Qianlong's reign (1775) to the 43rd year of Qianlong's reign. During his tenure as a nurse, he toured Taiwan and made many achievements. This "Illustration of Ceremonial Utensils in the Confucius Temple" is selected from "Illustrations of the Reconstruction of Various Architectural Buildings in Tai County". In the 41st year of Qianlong's reign, "all the Confucius Temples in Tai County were made of lead and tin, which were of poor quality. The beans, edges, 簠 and 簋 were no longer Therefore, "Yuanshu carefully selected craftsmen from Wuzhong to set up a bureau according to the Queli system, purchased bronze drums, cast equipment, and made various ritual and musical instruments. It is estimated that more than 10,000 coppers will be used, and they will be shipped to Taiwan." The following year, he personally wrote the inscription on the stele, and together with the directors Chen Zuolin (active from the 18th to 19th centuries) and Lin Chaoying (1739-1816), he recorded the events on the stone. The stele is now in the Tainan Confucius Temple. It is an important document on respecting Confucius in early Taiwan.

Classic picture

After the Western Han Dynasty, Confucius' thoughts were increasingly valued by the emperors. The Confucian ethics and morals vigorously promoted by the government were deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, regulating and maintaining the relationship between monarchs and ministers, fathers and sons, brothers, couples, and friends. All scholars and scholars took the world and the country as their own responsibility. The spiritual guidance of the people is an important force for social stability. The brave man Bian Zhuangzi revered by Confucius, the collected poems, and even the stories of Confucian disciples are all drawn into pictures that match the text and are cross-referenced.

Picture of Bian Zhuangzi stabbing a tiger in the Song Dynasty

Format: Volume size: 39 x 169.1

Bian Zhuangzi was a doctor of Bian Yi in the state of Lu (1027 BC - 250 BC). He had the courage of two tigers in one fell swoop. The people of Qi were afraid of him and did not dare to Varu. The story depicted in this volume can be found in "Warring States Policy" and "Historical Records." "The Biography of Zhang Yi", the meaning of the story is similar to that of snipe and clam competing. In the painting, a cow has fallen dead on the grass, and two tigers are fighting for the cow. Bian Zhuangzi held his sword and wanted to stab the tiger. A man stepped forward to dissuade him, saying that he could wait until the tiger's fight was over before stabbing the tiger again. Behind the scroll are six people carrying swords, carrying axes, wielding staffs, and holding Ruyi. This painting has no style, the brushwork is fine and vigorous, the painting of tigers fighting each other, and the bravery of Bian Zhuangzi are all in the ancient style of Song Dynasty painting, which is extremely vivid.

"The Analects of Confucius - Constitutional Question No. 14" Confucius answered Zilu's question as an adult, taking Bian Zhuangzi as an example of a brave man. Zilu and Bian Zhuangzi were both from Bian Yi, and they believed in local customs of advocating filial piety and martial bravery.

We have no way of knowing exactly what Confucius looked like. We can only explore it from documentary records and calligraphy and paintings. If you are traveling to Taipei during this period, don’t forget to visit Confucius!