Concept
Hua–Yi distinction
Overview
During the late Zhou dynasty, the inhabitants of the Central Plains began to distinguish between Hua and Yi (Chinese: 華夷秩序; pinyin: huáyí zhìxù), referred to by some historians as the Sino–barbarian dichotomy. They defined themselves as part of the cultural and political region known as Huaxia, which they contrasted with the surrounding regions home to "outsiders", conventionally known as the "Four Barbarians" (literally, "four Yi"). Although Yi is usually translated as "barbarian", other translations of this term in English include "foreigners", "ordinary others", "wild tribes" and "uncivilized tribes". The Hua–Yi distinction asserted Chinese cultural superiority, but implied that outsiders could become Chinese by adopting their culture and customs, hence essentially not a racialized ideology. Some argues that contemporary Western Sinology is complicit with white supremacy, mistakenly imposing Western racist assumptions onto pre-modern China.
This distinction was not unique to the area today known as China, but was also applied by various Vietnamese, Japanese, and Korean regimes in the Sinosphere, each of whom considered itself at one point in history to be a legitimate successor to Huaxia civilization.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
Let your Majesty cease to lay the blame on the year and instantly the people, all under the sky, will come to you." King Hwuy of Leang said, "I wish quietly to receive your instructions." Mencius replied, "Is there any difference between killing a man with a stick and with a sword?" "There is no difference," was the answer. Mencius continued, "Is there any difference between doing it with a sword and with…
Confucius, The Wisdom of Confucius with Critical and Biographical Sketches
States what Hua–Yi distinction is; the author is tied to Hua–Yi distinction in the knowledge graph.
The warrior-class attains a perfect separation from classes devoted to the cultivation of the soil or other occupations regarded as servile. And there arises a priesthood that is defined in its rank, its functions, its privileges. This sharpness of definition, growing both greater and more variously exemplified as societies advance to maturity, is extremest in those that have reached their full development or are…
Herbert Spencer, First Principles
States what Hua–Yi distinction is.
Speaking of the disorder of the times he remarked that while the barbarians on the North and East had their Chieftains, we here in this great country had nothing to compare with them in that respect:--we had lost these distinctions! Alluding to the matter of the Chief of the Ki family worshipping on Tai-shan, [7] the Master said to Yen Yu, "Cannot you save him from this?" He replied, "It is beyond my power." "Alas…
Confucius, Chinese literature
The author is tied to Hua–Yi distinction in the knowledge graph.
Philosophers who discussed Hua–Yi distinction
Related ideas
- Harvard University Press
- Japan
- Korea
- Laos
- Yuan dynasty
- Warring States period
- Mencius
- Manichaeism
- Vietnam
- Mandate of Heaven
- Imperial examination
- Qing dynasty
- Sima Qian
- Analects
- Joseon
- Buddhism
- Cambodia
- Sinosphere
- Zoroastrianism
- Han Yu
- Ming dynasty
- Tang dynasty
- Three Kingdoms
- Han dynasty
Place in the tradition
Part of Taoism.