The Three Character Classic (), commonly known as San Zi Jing, also translated as Trimetric Classic, is one of the Chinese classic texts. It was probably written in the 13th century and is mainly attributed to Wang Yinglin (王應麟, 1223–1296) during the Song dynasty. It is also attributed to Ou Shizi (1234–1324).
The work is not one of the traditional six Confucian classics, but rather the embodiment of Confucianism suitable for teaching young children. Until the latter part of the 1800s, it served as a child's first formal education at home. The text is written in triplets of characters for easy memorization. With illiteracy common for most people at the time, the oral tradition of reciting the classic ensured its popularity and survival through the centuries. With the short and simple text arranged in three-character verses, children learned many common characters, grammar structures, elements of Chinese history and the basis of Confucian morality, especially filial piety and respect for elders (the Five Relationships in Chinese society).
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Three Character Classic formed the basis of elementary education, along with Hundred Family Surnames and Thousand Character Classic. The group came to be known as San Bai Qian (Three, Hundred, Thousand), from the first character in their titles. They were the almost universal introductory literacy texts for students, almost exclusively boys, from elite backgrounds and even for a number of ordinary villagers. Each was available in many versions, printed cheaply, and available to all since they did not become superseded. When a student had memorized all three, they could recognize and pronounce, though not necessarily write or understand the meaning of, roughly 2,000 characters (there was some duplication among the texts). Since Chinese did not use an alphabet, this was an effective, though time-consuming, way of giving a "crash course" in character recognition before going on to understanding texts and writing characters.
The text fell into disuse during the Cultural Revolution given the state's opposition to non-socialist ideologies. The classic, however, continued to circulate in other parts of the Chinese-speaking world with its inclusion in the Chinese Almanac () along with several other classics such as the Thousand Character Classic.
The first four verses state the core credo of Confucianism, that is, that human nature is inherently good, as developed by Mencius, considered one of the most influential traditional Chinese philosophers after Confucius.
The two introductory passages remain familiar to readers in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Although the work is no longer widely taught in public schools, it continues to be used by some parents to help children learn to read and pronounce Chinese characters. In some elementary schools, students may also recite passages from the work as part of informal activities.
Editions The Three Character Classic was translated in 1796 into Manchu as (Wylie: Manchu nikan ghergen i kamtsime sughe San tsz' ging pitghe; Möllendorff: Manju nikan hergen-i kamcime suhe San ze ging ni bithe).
The most well-known English translation of the text was completed by Herbert Giles in 1900 and revised in 1910. The translation was based on the original Song dynasty version. Giles had published an earlier translation (Shanghai 1873) but he rejected that and other early translations as inaccurate. Earlier translations into English include those by Robert Morrison, 1812; Solomon Caesar Malan and Hung Hsiu-chʻüan, 1856, and Stanislas Julien, 1864.
A Christian Three Character Classic () by Walter Henry Medhurst was first published in 1823 as an aid to missionary education. The three-character rhyming format was retained but the content was completely different.
Vietnam
The earliest recorded date that the Three Character Classic was introduced to Vietnam is around 1820-1830 according to primary sources at the time. From there, it was circulated and modified. Different variants of the text began to emerge. The texts would either have different characters used, new lines, or different ordering. The most common variant of the Three Character Classic in Vietnam has 30 lines that are different from the Chinese edition. There are also two lines in the Vietnamese version that do not exist in the Chinese version.
+LineVietnameseChinese2836394144495084868996103104105106115126139149151160188266292303305322324334350 The two lines were added to form a full sequence of numbers (Chinese version begins from three to ten).
One ( ) Two ( ) Three ( , , ) Four ( , ) Five ( , ) Six ( , ) Seven ( ) Eight ( ) Nine ( ) Ten ( )
The text was also translated into vernacular Vietnamese, with the books such as , , , , and having chữ Nôm characters annotating the original text.
Differences in Chinese texts The following stanzas do not appear in the Giles translation and originally appeared in Simplified Chinese. They list the dynasties that followed the Song dynasty up to and including the founding of Republican China. These stanzas were probably added cumulatively sometime between late 13th century and after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Simplified ChineseTraditional ChinesePinyin Translation The Liao and Jin (dynasties),both claimed to be emperors. Taizu rises,his country is the Great Ming.His regnal name is Hongwu,his capital at Jinling. By the time Chengzu started ruling,he moved (his capital) to Yanjing.(His dynasty) lasted for sixteen successions,until the Chongzhen Emperor. Eunuchs stir up trouble in the palace,rebels cause internal conflict.The Dashing King starts a rebellion,the Divine Utensil comes to an end. The Shunzhi Emperor of Qing,seized the Imperial Capital. After ten generations,the Xuantong Emperor abdicated. A President is elected,the Republic is formed.Chinese soil was recovered,the Republic of China flourishes. The Twenty-two Dynastic Histories,are all embraced in the above.They contain examples of good and bad government,whence may be learnt the principles of prosperity and decay.
Reception The first two lines were recited at the Academy Awards 2021 by Chloé Zhao, the award winner for best director.
See also Di Zi Gui Thousand Character Classic Hundred Family Surnames Tam thiên tự - the Vietnamese equivalent for teaching beginners Chinese characters.
Notes
References
Original Chinese Text plus pinyin, modern Chinese translation, modern Chinese commentary and stories, plus complete translation of all material into English.
External links
Song dynasty Chinese edition with the Herbert Giles English translation On-line learner's edition at Yellowbridge site Read and hear the audio at this Chinese/English site (Mandarin Chinese) Another site with audio of the San Zi Jing - Chinese only The Three Character Classic in Chinese with the Herbert Giles English Translation. Its debated revival in mainland China, China.org.cn (Christian version) (Christian version)