Jump to content

Yan Yan (philosopher): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
expand
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Disciple of Confucius}}
⚫
{{Chinese name|[[Yan (surname)|Yan]]}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[Yan Hui]], who is also known as Yanzi or Master Yan}}

⚫
{{family name hatnote|[[Yan (surname)|Yan]]|lang=Chinese}}
⚫
'''Yan Yan''' ({{zh|c=言偃|w='''Yen Yen'''}}; 506–? BC), [[courtesy name]] '''Ziyou''' ({{zh|c=子游|w='''Tzu-yu'''}}), also known as '''Yan You''' ({{zh|c=言游|w='''Yen Yu'''}}), was a prominent [[disciple of Confucius]], considered by [[Confucius]] to be his most distinguished disciple in the study of [[Chinese classics|the classics]].{{sfn|Confucius|1997|p=203}} Honorifically known as '''Yanzi''' ({{zh|c=言子|w='''Yen Tzu'''}}) or '''Master Yan''', he was said to be the only southerner among Confucius' disciples.<ref name=ifeng>{{cite web |url=http://qd.ifeng.com/guoxuewenhua/guoxuejiangtang/detail_2013_04/23/737975_0.shtml |title=言子在常熟传90世 孔门七十二贤唯一南方人 |date=2013-04-23 |language=Chinese |publisher=Phoenix TV}}</ref>
{{chinese
|pic=File:Half Portraits of the Great Sage and Virtuous Men of Old - Yan Yan Ziyou (言偃 子游).jpg |piccap=Yan Yan in ''Half-Portraits of the Great Sage and Virtuous Men of Old'' (至聖先賢半身像), housed in the [[National Palace Museum]]
|c={{linktext|言|偃}} |w=Yen Yen |p=Yán Yǎn
⚫
}}
{{chinese |title=Other names
|altname=Ziyou<br>([[Courtesy name]]) |c2={{linktext|子|游}} |w2=Tzu-yu |p2=Zǐyóu |l2=
|altname3=Yan You |c3={{linktext|言|游}} |w3=Yen Yu |p3=Yán Yóu
|altname4=Yanzi |c4={{linktext|言|子}} |w4=Yen-tzu |p4=Yánzǐ |l4=Master Yan
}}
⚫
'''Yan Yan''' (b. 506{{nbsp}}BC), also known by his [[courtesy name]] '''Ziyou''' and as '''Yan You''' or '''Yanzi''', was a prominent [[disciple of Confucius]], considered by [[Confucius]] to be his most distinguished disciple in the study of [[Chinese classics|the classics]].{{sfn|Confucius|1997|p=203}} A native of the [[state of Wu]], he was the only known southerner among Confucius' disciples.<ref name=ifeng>{{cite web |url=http://qd.ifeng.com/guoxuewenhua/guoxuejiangtang/detail_2013_04/23/737975_0.shtml |script-title=zh:言子在常熟传90世 孔门七十二贤唯一南方人 |date=2013-04-23 |language=zh |publisher=Phoenix TV}}</ref>


==Life==
==Life==
Line 8: Line 18:
Yan Yan served as commandant of Wucheng (Wu City) in the [[State of Lu]]. He was said to have succeeded in transforming the character of the people of Wucheng by teaching them [[Li (Confucian)|ritual propriety]] and music, and was praised by Confucius.{{sfn|Legge|2009|p=116}}
Yan Yan served as commandant of Wucheng (Wu City) in the [[State of Lu]]. He was said to have succeeded in transforming the character of the people of Wucheng by teaching them [[Li (Confucian)|ritual propriety]] and music, and was praised by Confucius.{{sfn|Legge|2009|p=116}}


After Confucius died, Ji Kang asked Yan why Confucius was not as widely mourned as [[Zichan]], the prime minister of the [[State of Zheng]]. Yan replied, "The influences of Zichan and my master might be compared to those of overflowing water and those of fattening rain. Wherever the water in its overflow reaches, men take knowledge of it, while the fattening rain falls unobserved."{{sfn|Legge|2009|p=116}}
After Confucius died, [[Ji Kangzi]], prime minister of Lu, asked Yan why Confucius was not as widely mourned as [[Zichan]], prime minister of the [[State of Zheng]]. Yan replied, "The influences of Zichan and my master might be compared to those of overflowing water and those of fattening rain. Wherever the water in its overflow reaches, men take knowledge of it, while the fattening rain falls unobserved."{{sfn|Legge|2009|p=116}}


In an episode recorded in the ''[[Book of Rites]]'', Yan Yan was invited to the funeral of Sikou Huizi ({{lang|zh|司寇惠子}}), a high minister of the [[State of Wey]]. Huizi had designated a son born to a secondary wife (a [[Dishu system|''shu'' son]]) as his heir, in violation of the prevailing convention. Yan Yan deliberately wore inappropriate clothes to the funeral, and stood in the wrong position. Sikou Huizi's brother Wenzi ({{lang|zh|司寇文子}}) reminded Yan Yan of his correct position, but Yan Yan refused to move. After realizing Yan Yan's intention, Wenzi placed Huizi's rightful heir, the eldest son by his main wife (a ''di'' son), in the position reserved for the heir.<ref name=wu>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.taipei.gov.tw/zh-tw/C/Sage/Confucian/2/1/30.htm |author=Wu Xiaoyun |title=Yan Yan |publisher=Taipei Confucian Temple |language=zh |access-date=10 November 2014}}</ref>
==Honours==

==Legacy==
[[File:Tomb of Yan Yan 02 2014-10.JPG|thumb|The first of three [[paifang]] of Yanzi's tomb]]
⚫
{{main|Yanzi's Tomb}}
In [[Confucian temple]]s, Yan Yan's [[spirit tablet]] is placed the fourth on the west, among the [[Twelve Philosophers|Twelve Wise Ones]].{{sfn|Legge|2009|p=116}}
In [[Confucian temple]]s, Yan Yan's [[spirit tablet]] is placed the fourth on the west, among the [[Twelve Philosophers|Twelve Wise Ones]].{{sfn|Legge|2009|p=116}}


During the [[Tang dynasty]], [[Emperor Xuanzong of Tang|Emperor Xuanzong]] posthumously awarded Bu Shang the nobility title of Marquess of Wu (吳侯). During the [[Song dynasty]], he was further awarded the titles of Duke of Danyang (丹陽公) and Duke of Wu (吳公).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.taipei.gov.tw/zh-tw/C/Sage/Confucian/2/1/30.htm |author=Wu Xiaoyun |title=Yan Yan |publisher=Taipei Confucian Temple |language=Chinese |accessdate=10 November 2014}}</ref>
During the [[Tang dynasty]], [[Emperor Xuanzong of Tang|Emperor Xuanzong]] posthumously awarded Yan Yan the nobility title of Marquess of Wu ({{lang|zh-Hant|吳侯}}). During the [[Song dynasty]], he was further awarded the titles of Duke of Danyang ({{lang|zh|丹陽公}}) and Duke of Wu ({{lang|zh-Hant|吳公}}).<ref name=wu/>


Yan Yan's hometown is believed to be in modern [[Changshu]], [[Jiangsu]] province, which was the territory of the [[State of Wu]] during the [[Spring and Autumn period]]. During the reign of [[Emperor Wu of Han]] (r. 156–87 BC), Yan Yan's descendants built a tomb complex for him in Changshu, and it has been rebuilt several times. His tomb is now a major tourist attraction in Changshu, and has been listed as a provincial cultural treasure by the Jiangsu government since 1982.<ref name=ifeng/>
==Tomb and descendants==

⚫
{{main|Yanzi's Tomb}}
Yan Yan's offspring held the title of Wujing Boshi ([[w:zh:五經博士|五經博士]]; Wǔjīng Bóshì).<ref name="BrunnertHagelstrom2013">{{cite book|author1=H.S. Brunnert|author2=V.V. Hagelstrom|title=Present Day Political Organization of China|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s0wrdzMXPZ8C&pg=PA494 |date=15 April 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-79795-9|pages=494–}}</ref>


Yan Yan's hometown is believed to be in modern [[Changshu]], [[Jiangsu]] province, in the former territory of the [[State of Wu]]. During the reign of [[Emperor Wu of Han]] (r. 156–87 BC), Yan Yan's descendants built a tomb complex for him in Changshu, and it has been rebuilt several times. His tomb is now a major tourist attraction in Changshu, and has been listed as a provincial cultural treasure by the Jiangsu government since 1982.<ref name=ifeng/> Many people from Changshu are said to be descendants of Yan Yan, the most prominent being Yan Dunyuan ([[:zh:言敦源|言敦源]], 1869–1932), Minister of Interior of the Republic of China, and calligrapher Yan Gongda ([[:zh:言恭达|言恭达]], born 1948).<ref name=ifeng/>
Many people from Changshu trace their ancestry to Yan Yan. Yan Dunyuan ([[:zh:言敦源|言敦源]], 1869–1932), Minister of Interior of the Republic of China, and calligrapher Yan Gongda ([[:zh:言恭达|言恭达]], born 1948) are among the most prominent.<ref name=ifeng/>


==Notes==
==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==Bibliography==
===Bibliography===
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|author=Confucius
|ref=harv
|author=[[Confucius]]
|author-link=Confucius
|editor-last=Huang |editor-first=Chichung
|editor-last=Huang |editor-first=Chichung
|title=The Analects of Confucius
|title=The Analects of Confucius
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=wqym0cOd33MC&pg=PA203
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wqym0cOd33MC&pg=PA203
|year=1997
|year=1997
|publisher=Oxford University Press
|publisher=Oxford University Press
Line 35: Line 51:
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|ref=harv
|title=Shiji ''(史记)''
|title=Shiji ''(史记)''
|last=Han |first=Zhaoqi
|last=Han |first=Zhaoqi
Line 43: Line 58:
|isbn=978-7-101-07272-3
|isbn=978-7-101-07272-3
|chapter=Biographies of the Disciples of Confucius
|chapter=Biographies of the Disciples of Confucius
|language=Chinese
|language=zh
}}
}}
*{{cite book
*{{cite book
|ref=harv
|last=Legge |first=James
|last=Legge |first=James
|authorlink=James Legge
|author-link=James Legge
|title=The Confucian Analects, the Great Learning & the Doctrine of the Mean
|title=The Confucian Analects, the Great Learning & the Doctrine of the Mean
|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=QUCZEPUyvBAC&pg=PA116
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QUCZEPUyvBAC&pg=PA116
|year=2009
|year=2009
|publisher=Cosimo
|publisher=Cosimo
Line 57: Line 71:


{{Disciples of Confucius}}
{{Disciples of Confucius}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Yan Yan
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Disciple of Confucius
| DATE OF BIRTH = 506 BC
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yan, Yan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yan, Yan}}
[[Category:506 BC births]]
[[Category:506 BC births]]
[[Category:Disciples of Confucius]]
[[Category:Disciples of Confucius]]
[[Category:5th-century BC philosophers]]
[[Category:5th-century BC Chinese philosophers]]
[[Category:Wu (state)]]
[[Category:5th-century BC Chinese people]]
[[Category:People of Wu (state)]]
[[Category:Year of death unknown]]
[[Category:People from Changshu]]
[[Category:Burials in Suzhou]]

Latest revision as of 03:27, 11 August 2024

Not to be confused with Yan Hui, who is also known as Yanzi or Master Yan.
In this Chinese name, the family name is Yan.
Yan Yan
Yan Yan in Half-Portraits of the Great Sage and Virtuous Men of Old (至聖先賢半身像), housed in the National Palace Museum
Chinese言偃
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYán Yǎn
Wade–GilesYen Yen
Other names
Ziyou
(Courtesy name)
Chinese子游
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZǐyóu
Wade–GilesTzu-yu
Yan You
Chinese言游
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYán Yóu
Wade–GilesYen Yu
Yanzi
Chinese言子
Literal meaningMaster Yan
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYánzǐ
Wade–GilesYen-tzu

Yan Yan (b. 506 BC), also known by his courtesy name Ziyou and as Yan You or Yanzi, was a prominent disciple of Confucius, considered by Confucius to be his most distinguished disciple in the study of the classics.[1] A native of the state of Wu, he was the only known southerner among Confucius' disciples.[2]

Life

[edit]

Yan Yan was born in 506 BC in the State of Wu. He was 45 years younger than Confucius.[1][3][4]

Yan Yan served as commandant of Wucheng (Wu City) in the State of Lu. He was said to have succeeded in transforming the character of the people of Wucheng by teaching them ritual propriety and music, and was praised by Confucius.[3]

After Confucius died, Ji Kangzi, prime minister of Lu, asked Yan why Confucius was not as widely mourned as Zichan, prime minister of the State of Zheng. Yan replied, "The influences of Zichan and my master might be compared to those of overflowing water and those of fattening rain. Wherever the water in its overflow reaches, men take knowledge of it, while the fattening rain falls unobserved."[3]

In an episode recorded in the Book of Rites, Yan Yan was invited to the funeral of Sikou Huizi (司寇惠子), a high minister of the State of Wey. Huizi had designated a son born to a secondary wife (a shu son) as his heir, in violation of the prevailing convention. Yan Yan deliberately wore inappropriate clothes to the funeral, and stood in the wrong position. Sikou Huizi's brother Wenzi (司寇文子) reminded Yan Yan of his correct position, but Yan Yan refused to move. After realizing Yan Yan's intention, Wenzi placed Huizi's rightful heir, the eldest son by his main wife (a di son), in the position reserved for the heir.[5]

Legacy

[edit]
The first of three paifang of Yanzi's tomb
Main article: Yanzi's Tomb

In Confucian temples, Yan Yan's spirit tablet is placed the fourth on the west, among the Twelve Wise Ones.[3]

During the Tang dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong posthumously awarded Yan Yan the nobility title of Marquess of Wu (吳侯). During the Song dynasty, he was further awarded the titles of Duke of Danyang (丹陽公) and Duke of Wu (吳公).[5]

Yan Yan's hometown is believed to be in modern Changshu, Jiangsu province, which was the territory of the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (r. 156–87 BC), Yan Yan's descendants built a tomb complex for him in Changshu, and it has been rebuilt several times. His tomb is now a major tourist attraction in Changshu, and has been listed as a provincial cultural treasure by the Jiangsu government since 1982.[2]

Yan Yan's offspring held the title of Wujing Boshi (五經博士; Wǔjīng Bóshì).[6]

Many people from Changshu trace their ancestry to Yan Yan. Yan Dunyuan (言敦源, 1869–1932), Minister of Interior of the Republic of China, and calligrapher Yan Gongda (言恭达, born 1948) are among the most prominent.[2]

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Confucius 1997, p. 203.
  2. ^ a b c 言子在常熟传90世 孔门七十二贤唯一南方人 (in Chinese). Phoenix TV. 2013-04-23.
  3. ^ a b c d Legge 2009, p. 116.
  4. ^ Han 2010, pp. 4603–4.
  5. ^ a b Wu Xiaoyun. "Yan Yan" (in Chinese). Taipei Confucian Temple. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  6. ^ H.S. Brunnert; V.V. Hagelstrom (15 April 2013). Present Day Political Organization of China. Routledge. pp. 494–. ISBN 978-1-135-79795-9.

Bibliography

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Yan_Yan_(philosopher)&oldid=1239724072"