On Ancient Myths And Confucian Thought

This essay mainly discuss the internal relationship and the interaction of primitive myths and Confucianism, as well as the impact the mergence of the two factors have on Chinese literature and spirit in later periods.Myths, the creative of primeval people's social practice, contain numerous aspects of nature and social life, trying to convey instructive notions by touching the origin of the world and human's fate. Confucianism, developed on the bases of Chinese feudalism, demonstrates the ideal of"respecting the ethics", serving as the"zero point"of the axis of myths'evolution. It inherited the shining inspirations of primitive myths, and meanwhile enlightened primitive myths with its philosophic connotation. Primitive myths and Confucianism shared the same root and grew intertwined with each other into a spectacular shady tree protecting the soul of their motherland.Primitive myths played a significant role in the history of Chinese traditional culture and didn't die on its arrival. Although the"physical"being seeds to have disappeared, its spirit actually inspired many successive influential schools of thoughts.Firstly, primitive myths can be regarded as a spiritual bond that solidified the relationship between an individual and his/her tribal unit. In addition, myths to some degree has helped to maintain families'customs in the primitive society.Secondly, primitive myths outweighed other forms of literature and became the origin of Chinese ancient literature, giving birth to fables and fairytales, which made up Chinese classic romantic literature.Thirdly, numerous primitive myths kept record in the historic materials influenced the spirit of many schools of thoughts, for instance, the Confucianism. It also played as a yard stick guiding the development of Chinese ancient literature, philosophy and arts.To cast more light on the close relationship between primitive myths and Confucianism, this essay is supposed to penetrate the topic from four perspectives.1.A trace-back to the origin and changing process of primitive myths Myths, the origin of Chinese literature, reflected the simple ness and naivety of the...