How Filial Piety Can Change One’s Fate

In ancient Chinese history, many people emphasized righteousness and filial piety and inspired the people around them to cultivate themselves and practice righteousness. Here are two stories about filial piety that changed people’s destinies. Zhao Zi’s filial piety transformed a group of robbers During the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – A.D. 8), a man named ...

David Jirard

A robber with a knife.

The Most Touching Stories of Filial Piety

With the advanced technology in today’s society, the ways of showing our filial piety or reverence toward our parents have evolved into having video chats with them, having gifts delivered to their house, or taking them out for a meal. Of course, this may be the way modern people express filial piety. However, we can ...

Max Lu

Hand painted image of a Chinese woman in ancient clothing serving her mother or mother-in-law a tray of food.

How Two Sons’ Filial Piety Altered Their Family’s Destiny

Xiao, or filial piety, is an attitude of respect for parents and ancestors in societies influenced by Confucian thought. Filial piety is demonstrated, in part, through service to one’s parents. The following two stories are about filial piety. A son’s second chance Wu Er was an everyday person who lived in Linchuan County with his elderly ...

Max Lu

Lightning strikes during a thunderstorm.

The Power of Filial Piety to Change People’s Fate

Throughout history, many people were so righteous and filial that those around them were inspired to practice righteousness. Here are two stories of how filial piety changed people’s fate. Filial piety converts a robber During the Han Dynasty, there lived a man named Zhao Zi. After being appointed governor of Dunhuang, he became the highest ...

Tatiana Denning

Elderly Chinese couple standing outside their home in a village in China.

Filial Piety: A Virtue Prized Above All Others

In traditional Chinese culture, filial piety — loving, respecting, and caring for one’s parents — is the virtue prized above all others. The following is a modern-day story about how children should practice filial piety. Xiao Li came from a rather poor family in his village, but he was fortunate enough to go to college. After ...

Kathy McWilliams

Elderly Chinese parents pose for a photo with their daughter in a restaurant.

Powerful Chinese Story: ‘The Filial Piety of Emperor Wen of Han’

This ancient Chinese story The Filial Piety of Emperor Wen of Han, comes from Treasured Tales of China Vol. 1 This book is filled with historical stories and legends that foster morality and virtue. The short stories take us back to ancient times in China and the book sparkles with wisdom. It is translated by Dora ...

Jessica Kneipp

Song Dynasty painting — filial piety.

The Traditional Virtue of Filial Piety Is Well Preserved in Taiwan

Well goes an old saying: “Of all virtues, filial piety is the first (百善孝為先).”  It is the traditional virtue of respecting and caring for one’s parents and ancestors.  The Chinese character for filial piety The Chinese character 孝 xiao is made up of two parts. The upper part is the character 老 (lao), which denotes ...

Billy Shyu

A painting showing filial piety.

A Band of Thieves Was Moved by Filial Piety

Filial piety is one of the most important aspects of the lives of the ancient Chinese. The traditional Chinese character xiao ” 孝 ”  is a combination of the character of an elder person being carried by the son (Zi) becoming 孝 and illustrates the concept of the younger ones helping their elders. The following ...

Helen London

An elderly person's hands.

The Filial Piety of Duke Zhuang of Zheng Was Very Well Known

Ji Wusheng (757-701 B.C.), later known as Duke Zhuang of Zheng, was born to be the ruler of the State of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn Period in China. His mother suffered a great deal in giving birth to him as it was a breech birth. She was frightened and disturbed by the experience and ...

Helen London

Yang Chufu was ordered by the King to go on a mission to the state of Wei.

The Power of Filial Piety

According to Confucianism, obedience, respect, and care for one’s parents and the elderly are considered to be the fundamentals of proper behavior. This virtue was known as filial piety in ancient times. Here is a folk story that tells of the incredible wonder that filial piety could bring. A beggar by the name of Guo ...

Nspirement Staff

A cripled man begging in the street.