Tradition
Spring and Autumn Annals
Overview
The Spring and Autumn Annals is an ancient Chinese chronicle that has been one of the core Chinese classics since ancient times. The Annals is the official chronicle of the State of Lu, and covers a 242-year period from 722 to 481 BCE. It is the earliest surviving Chinese historical text to be arranged in annals form. Because it was traditionally regarded as having been compiled by Confucius—after a claim to this effect by Mencius—it was included as one of the Five Classics of Chinese literature.
The Annals records main events that occurred in Lu during each year, such as the accessions, marriages, deaths, and funerals of rulers, battles fought, sacrificial rituals observed, celestial phenomena considered ritually important, and natural disasters. The entries are tersely written, averaging only 10 characters per entry, and contain no elaboration on events or recording of speeches.
During the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), a number of commentaries to the Annals were created that attempted to elaborate on or find deeper meaning in the brief entries in the Annals. The Zuo Zhuan, the best known of these commentaries, became a classic in its own right, and is the source of more Chinese sayings and idioms than any other classical work.
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.
He was employed in the severest toil, and served his father with entire obedience. In summer, when the weather was warm, he fanned and cooled his father’s pillow and bed; and in winter, when it was cold, he warmed the bed-clothes with his body. The magistrate sent him an honorary banner, as a mark of distinction.
Confucius, The book of filial duty
The author is tied to Spring and Autumn Annals in the knowledge graph.
But when Tzu-lu was everlastingly humming these words, the Master said, This is the way towards it, but how much short of goodness itself! 27. The Master said, Erst the cold days show how fir and cypress are last to fade. 28. The Master said, Wisdom has no doubts; love does not fret; the bold have no fears. 29. The Master said, With some we can learn together, but we cannot go their way; we can go the same way with…
Confucius, The Sayings of Confucius
The author is tied to Spring and Autumn Annals in the knowledge graph.
Both characteristics belong to all Chinese literature and art, and to the conversation of cultivated Chinese in the present day. All classes in China are fond of laughter, and never miss a chance of a joke.
Bertrand Russell, The Problem of China
Close in meaning to Spring and Autumn Annals; the term itself is not named.
Philosophers who discussed Spring and Autumn Annals
Related ideas
- Book of Han
- Spring and Autumn period
- Internet Archive
- Shiji
- Warring States period
- Mencius
- Tang dynasty
- Song dynasty
- Confucius
- Chinese classics
- Cambridge University Press
- Chinese intellectualism
Place in the tradition
Part of Ancient history.