What is the name of Confucius, the great thinker and educator who has been admired by countless people? Perhaps to the surprise of many people, this great man, who is respected as a "saint", is actually not called "Confucius".
The original name of Confucius was "Qiu", and the surname was "Kong". That's right, his full name should be "Confucius". His name, in ancient Chinese, has a unique meaning. The word "Qiu", according to the interpretation of "Erya Shiqiu", represents "high ground". And the word "Kong", in "Shuowen Jiezi", is interpreted as "Tongye, from Cong'er". The word "from" represents obedience, and the word "er" represents people, which together means "the goodness of obedience to human will". Therefore, the word "hole" is extended to the meaning of "accessibility" and "smoothness". When "Qiu" and "Kong" are combined, it constitutes the name "Kongqiu", implying Confucius's spiritual pursuit of smooth and far-sighted throughout his life.
Some people may wonder why Confucius has such a unique name. This is actually closely related to his family background and the background of the times. Confucius was born into a small aristocratic family during the Spring and Autumn period, and his father was a lowly warrior. In that era, men from aristocratic families would often be named after fiefs, official positions, or ranks, etc., so it is not surprising that Confucius's father was named "Qiu". As the eldest son in the family, Confucius naturally inherited his father's surname and first name.
Interestingly, the name of Confucius, although deceptively simple, contains rich cultural connotations. In Confucius's time, it was Xi to confuse names with cheap names, nicknames, etc. However, Confucius attached great importance to his own name, and believed that a person's name represented a person's character and cultivation. Therefore, when Confucius was humble, he often referred to himself as "Qiu", while his students respectfully addressed him as "Master".
Confucius not only made outstanding contributions in the field of education, but also had in-depth research and exploration on etiquette culture and art. His ideas and theories have profoundly influenced the cultural history of China and the world. Today, "Confucius Institutes" have spread all over the world and have become an important carrier for the dissemination of Chinese culture.
Coming back, let's look at the name of Confucius. In addition to the meaning of highland, the word "Qiu" is also connected with the word "Yue", implying Confucius's profound knowledge and noble character. The word "Confucius" represents the meaning of accessibility and smoothness, implying Confucius's lifelong pursuit of a smooth life realm and spiritual pursuit.
Through these details, it can be seen that the name of Confucius is not so much a gift from his parents, but a mission and responsibility entrusted to him by the times and his family. This name not only represents his personal achievements and spiritual pursuits, but also represents the essence and wisdom of traditional Chinese culture.
In short, Confucius's original name was "Qiu", and his surname was "Kong", implying that his learning and morality were as noble and outstanding as a mountain. This name is not only a part of Chinese culture, but also a part of human civilization. Confucius spent his whole life in pursuit of a smooth state of life and spiritual pursuit, and his ideas and doctrines also profoundly influenced the cultural history of China and the world. For us, learning Xi and inheriting the thought and culture of Confucius is not only a respect and admiration for history and culture, but also the enrichment and perfection of our own spiritual world.