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 to
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)
