Erya - Chinese Traditional Culture Classics for Children (Third Series)

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The Er Ya is one of the earliest dictionaries extant in China and the world, a classic within the Confucian Thirteen Classics dedicated to textual knowledge, and a key to understanding the ancient meanings of words and phrases, as well as comprehending various classics. "The Er Ya is used to clarify the meaning of interpretations, to narrate the enduring themes of poets, to summarize the separated terms of different eras, and to distinguish between synonyms with different names." "Er" means near, and "Ya" means correct. It implies that one can draw near and take the correct meaning. The Er Ya is said to have been written by the Duke of Zhou, or recorded by the disciples of Confucius, or compiled by scholars of the Qin and Han dynasties. The Er Ya aims to bridge the gap between past and present, unify diverse languages, and explain terms and encyclopedic vocabulary, categorized by subject matter into nineteen chapters: Interpretation of Words, Interpretation of Speech, Interpretation of Teachings, Interpretation of Kinship, etc.; grouped by meaning, totaling 1,443 entries. Its content covers various aspects, including interpersonal relationships, ancient architecture, clothing and utensils, music, astronomy, calendar, meteorology, geography, plants, and animals. "Among the works that can cultivate knowledge and dispel confusion, and help one recognize more birds, beasts, and plants, none is closer to the Er Ya." The Er Ya emphasizes linguistic standardization, advocating alignment with the standard language; employs various interpretive methods such as homonymous, mutual, and antonymic explanations; contains an extremely rich collection of ancient humanistic and natural knowledge, serving as a treasure trove of ancient cultural knowledge; pioneered the successful use of the "classification method," becoming the ancestor of Ya school dictionaries and the precursor of encyclopedias. Since ancient times, erudite scholars have regarded the Er Ya as the gateway to understanding classics and mastering studies, as well as the key to exploring the wisdom of various schools.