Double Color Illustration Classic -- Long Wen Bian Ying

Author: [Ming] Xiao Liangyou (Editor)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-03-01
Features: Exquisite printing, collecting classics, comes with a beautiful bookmark, dual-color illustrations, and includes detailed translations and appreciations. The "Chinese Traditional Culture Classics Collection" series selects one hundred famous works from the Chinese classics spanning dynasties, covering fields such as ancient philosophy, history, geography, literature, and science. These timeless masterpieces and beloved selections have been translated into modern Chinese and presented to readers. This series is published in a dual-color format, allowing readers to enjoy both the text and famous landscape paintings. The illustrations are sourced from collections such as "Jieziyuan Painting Spectrum," "Yipintang Painting Spectrum," and "Sanhxitang Treasure." The combination of visual and textual elements brings joy and relaxation, evoking a sense of tranquility and inspiration.
"Longwen Bianying" is a widely circulated and influential (: enlightenment reading material) with its original title "Enlightenment Stories," compiled by Xiao Liangyou during the Ming Dynasty. Xiao was a child prodigy, renowned as a genius, and served as the Imperial College President () after passing the imperial examinations. This alone underscores the significance of the book. Later, it was annotated by Xia Guangwen and revised and supplemented by Yang Chenzheng, completing its current form. The book consists of two parts: the main text and annotations. The main text is in rhyming verse, with four-character lines paired in two-line stanzas, categorized by rhyme, making it easy to read and recite—similar to other rhyming. The annotations provide explanations for the main text, tracing origins and sources, offering clear and concise insights, and selecting key points that complement the main text. The book covers a broad range of topics, drawing from various schools of thought, from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the Tang and Song dynasties, encompassing classics, histories, philosophies, and literature. It benefits readers in familiarizing themselves with classics, understanding allusions, cultivating temperament, and strengthening willpower. Since its publication in the Ming Dynasty, it has been widely disseminated and highly influential. By the Qing Dynasty, it was reorganized and supplemented, with additional content compiled by Li Huigui and others following the original format, titled "Longwen Bianying Erji" (Second Collection of Longwen Bianying).
The Chinese nation boasts thousands of years of civilization, creating a glorious and splendid ancient culture that has left humanity with abundant spiritual treasures. These treasures not only fostered the formation and development of the Chinese nation but also continue to hold significant practical value today. They help people correctly understand national history, receive patriotic education, cultivate moral character, and elevate the cultural quality of the entire nation, promoting the prosperity of socialist culture. They are the cultural essence of our Yellow River descendants, shaping the spirit of our nation.
To inherit our excellent cultural heritage and carry forward the legacy of our ancient civilization, we have launched the "Chinese Traditional Culture Classics Collection" series. This series adheres to the principles of innovation while upholding tradition. It selects and publishes a variety of classic works from Chinese history, philosophy, history, geography, literature, and science, offering modern translations of these ancient masterpieces. We first prioritize selecting timeless masterpieces from these fields that are representative of Chinese history, supplemented by famous and widely cherished selections passed down through generations. Considering the need for accessibility and the target audience, most works are translated selectively, with key excerpts translated and annotated to ensure accuracy and readability. This approach alleviates the difficulty of confronting complex and challenging classical texts, allowing readers in today's fast-paced world to directly engage with the essence of ancient Chinese culture. The translations are designed to be enjoyable and understandable for people of all ages—elders, middle-aged, and young—ensuring that everyone can benefit from them.