China Unveils Standard Portrait of Confucius
Chim
The China Confucius Foundation (CCF) on Saturday unveiled a standard
portrait of ancient philosopher and educator Confucius in order to give
him a single, recognizable identity around the world.
The event was part of the commemoration marking the 2,557th anniversary
of his birth.
The CCF unveiled the final version of the portrait at a news conference
in Qufu of east China's Shandong Province, hometown of Confucius, on
the basis of a draft sculpture released in June this year.
"Acting as a symbol of Chinese history and culture, Confucius is widely
known around the world. A standard portrait is needed so that different
countries could have the same image of him," said CCF general secretary
Zhang Shuhua.
The sculpture depicts Confucius as an old man with a long beard, broad
mouth and big ears. He wears a robe and crosses his hands on his chest.
The amended portrait highlights the ancient philosopher's kindness in
appearance as well as his cultured and gentle characteristics, said
professor Hu Xijia, a member of the sculpture design group.
"We want to show a Confucius that exists in people's minds, who is a
kind, sagacious and respectful person," said Hu, who started the work
in January.
The draft sculpture was based on the painting of Confucius by Wu Daozi
of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), together with advice from Confucian
scholars, historians, artists and his descendants.
The new portrait would set the standard criteria for the image of
Confucius, who had been represented in different ways when Chinese were
presenting statues in foreign countries, said Zhang.
Confucius was the founder of Confucianism, which advocates the building
of a harmonious society through an individual's self-refinement in
manners and taste. It was promulgated by Chinese rulers since the
Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 25 AD) and spread into east and south
Asia.
Confucianism dominated Chinese society for centuries, and spread to
Europe in the late 16th century.
Born in 551 B.C., Confucius, a great thinker, philosopher, statesman
and educator, has more than 3 million descendants with Qufu as a
concentration area, according to latest statistics.
There are 2.5 million descendants of Confucius in the Chinese mainland,
100,000 in the Republic of Korea, and many in the United States,
Malaysia and Singapore.
Regarding Confucius as an outstanding educator, the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) last year
named an international prize after him -- Confucius Literacy Prize, to
honor individuals and institutions which have made significant
contributions to education.
On Saturday, the UNESCO awarded the prize in Qufu, the first of its
kind, to educational officials of India and Morocco to honor their
decade-long efforts in eradicating illiteracy, especially among women
and children, and helping drop-out children return school.
In an effort to promote Chinese language and culture abroad, China has
planned to set up 100 "Confucius Institutes" around the world to help
foreigners learn Chinese.
Scholars and believers around the world commemorate Confucius' birth at
his hometown in Qufu every year to carry forward the Confucian spirit
of benevolence and honor.
Many scholars say that the research on the values of Confucianism are
conducive to the building of a harmonious society in China and around
the world.
(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2006)
Komin
he took bribes for his living .
the majority of Chinese inside SE Asia practise corruptions .