New 24 Examples of Piety – 3 of 4

This Chinese poster is titled “The New Twenty-Four Exemplary Examples of Filial Piety.” This is a modernized version of a classic Yuan dynasty text, designed to promote moral values ​​and respect for elders in contemporary society.

The poster uses folk-style illustrations to teach the concept of Xiao (filial piety), a central pillar of Confucian ethics that emphasizes care, obedience, and sacrifice for parents and ancestors. While the classic text contained extreme and sometimes folkloric stories, these “new” versions (generally from the 1970s or 1980s) focus on practical and harmonious behaviors for the modern family.

The six illustrated scenes show different ways of demonstrating respect:

Daily Care: Young people serving meals or tea to older family members, symbolizing material and emotional support.

Public Service and Family: Soldiers and workers interacting with the elderly, reinforcing that civic duty and respect for family go hand in hand.

Health and Well-being: Scenes of medical care or physical assistance to sick parents.

Family Unity: Large gatherings around the table, celebrating prosperity and generational continuity.

This type of poster was common in schools, community centers, and private homes in China as a tool for moral education and inspirational decoration.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges

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