Three Character Classic

Author: Zhang Hongxing Xu Kejia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: "Classic Reading Pocket Books" organize and compile representative classics of Chinese excellent traditional culture according to the basic concepts of the new compulsory Chinese curriculum standards or designated reading lists, and publish them in separate volumes. The juvenile stage is the period when memory power is most vigorous in a person's life. By reading classic passages, cultural cultivation, intellectual development, and character development can be achieved. "Classic Reading Pocket Books" feature large fonts, small formats, standard phonetic annotations, and come with beautifully designed VCDs for convenient memorization and portability. The Three-Character Classic is one of the "Classic Reading Pocket Books." The Three-Character Classic was compiled by Wang Yinglin, a scholar from the Southern Song Dynasty. Wang Yinglin, styled Bohou, mastered the Six Classics by the age of nine and served as Minister of Rites and Vice Censor-in-Chief. He was knowledgeable in classics and history and authored over 20 works. Modernmaster Zhang Taiyan's preface to The Revised Three-Character Classic states: The narration of historical rise and fall ends with the Song Dynasty, while the sections after the Liao, Jin, Ming, and Qing dynasties were added by later scholars. The book first lists names and categories, followed by classics, histories, and the works of various schools, providing a comprehensive introduction for young learners. Its organization into distinct sections, without mixing, surpasses the Thousand-Character Classic compiled by Liang scholars in terms of expanding knowledge, despite its repetitive characters and lack of literary elegance. It can be called a "mini" of traditional culture. The Three-Character Classic exists in many versions. Zhang Taiyan's Revised Three-Character Classic adds one-third of the content and corrects some original textual and historical errors. This book includes it for reference. Based on authoritative versions, this book cross-references other editions for collation and includes a "Quick Guide" section for colloquial translations or necessary annotations.