|
The Five Confucian Classics |
|
# |
Title |
|
Subject |
Authorship |
1 |
Yi
Jing (I Ching) |
Book of Changes |
Short texts relating to results of divination cast by priests |
The 'wings' are by Confucius, according to tradition. Modern
historians believe they were composed by other authors. |
2 |
Shu
Jing (Shu Ching) |
Book
of History or Documents |
Short documents relating to announcements, speeches, manifestos
and reports by rulers and their ministers (period from mythical
king Yao to early Zhou Dynasty) |
Explanatory introductions by Confucius. Also credited with
editing the original documents. Modern historians consider
the Zhou documents authentic, but earlier writings date from
a later period. |
3 |
Shi
Jing (Shih Ching) |
Book
of Odes or Poetry |
Anthology of 300 poems (includes folk songs and ceremonial
songs) |
Supposedly selected and edited by Confucius. They date from
the early Zhou period. |
4 |
Li
Jing (Li Ching) or Li Ji (Li Chi) |
Book of Rites |
Government rules of the Zhou Dynasty, code of conduct and
rules for important ceremonies |
Many documents authored supposedly by the Duke of Zhou (a
founder of the Zhou dynasty). According to tradition, selection
and editing of the documents by Confucius. |
5 |
Qunqiu (Ch’un-ch’iu) |
Annals of Spring and Autumn |
Chronicle of the state of Lu from 722–481 BC |
By Confucius. |
The Four Books of Neo-Confucianism |
|
# |
Title |
|
Subject |
Authorship |
1 |
Lunyu (Lun-yu) |
Analects of Confucius |
A record of the words and actions of Confucius |
By the pupils of Confucius |
2 |
Mengzi (Meng Tzu) |
Book of Mencius |
The writings of Mencius |
By Mencius |
3 |
Daxue (Ta-hsueh) |
Great Learning |
An essay from the Book of Rites |
|
4 |
Zhongyong (Chung-yung) |
Doctrine of the Mean |
An essay from the Book of Rites |
|
 |
Sources
Ackermann, M. E., ed., et al. Encyclopedia of World History,
vol. 1. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. |
