Reading guide:
Ancient Chinese social concepts were heavily influenced by the gossip of the stars and Guiguzi, and one of the striking sayings was that "men must be widowed if they occupy 38". This phrase reflects the superstitious idea of the date of birth of the ancients, as well as the unequal status of men and women. This article will delve into the origins and influence of this statement, and at the same time propose that this concept should be criticized and advocated for equality between men and women.
1. The origin of the gossip of the stars
In ancient China, the stars were regarded as a mysterious and powerful force, and it was believed that the movement of the stars would affect the fate of people. In order to understand and grasp this law of fate, the ancients created the Star Bagua. The Star Bagua is a set of eight symbols, each representing a different nakshatra and cosmic element. This system penetrated deep into Taoist doctrine and provided a basis for ancient people to formulate life plans.
The core idea of the Star Bagua is the five elements of yin and yang, which holds that the operation of the universe is influenced by the five elements of yin and yang, and the fate of people is the same. Based on the time of birth and the cycle of the stars, one can infer the direction of an individual's destiny. This notion profoundly influenced ancient societies, allowing people to trace their destiny in the hope of achieving happiness and success by following the laws of the universe.
However, this perception has also led to the formation of some prejudices and stereotypes, one of which is the saying that "men must be widowed, and women must be widowed".
2. The ideological fallacy of "38".
The saying "38" is derived from the superstitious concept of ancient China, according to which a boy born in "38" is believed to have strong yang energy and must have good luck in the future; Conversely, girls are seen as "three or eight must be widowed" because a yang-strong date of birth is believed to weaken a woman's yin. This perception reflects the ancient notion of male superiority and inferiority, which has led to discrimination in marriage and even the use of women as tools for procreation.
The roots of this thinking can be traced back to the yin and yang concept of star gossip. In the Star Bagua, Yang represents masculine energy, Yin represents feminine energy, and "Sanba" is considered to be the date when Yang energy is vigorous. The ancients believed that men should pursue masculinity while women should maintain femininity, so the fate of men and women born in "Sanba" was given different expectations.
As a result of this perception, women were severely restricted and discriminated against in ancient societies. They are expected to be virtuous wives and mothers to their families, rather than pursuing their dreams and careers. This concept of gender inequality has profoundly affected ancient societies, depriving women of equal opportunities and rights.
3. Another way of saying "38" and Guiguzi
In addition to the influence of the gossip of the stars, there is also a saying that "men must be fat, and women must be widowed" originated from the concept of Guiguzi. Guiguzi is a representative of the ancient Chinese Taoist school, and he emphasized the importance of the harmony of yin and yang. According to his theory, one should pursue a balance of yin and yang in order to maintain the health of the body and mind.
This concept reinforces the superstition of the "38", which believes that men and women born in the "38" need to pay special attention to the balance of yin and yang to avoid falling into misfortune. This also reflects the ancient people's worship of the mystery of Guiguzi, who enshrined his theory as a holy oracle and believed in it.
However, this perception has likewise led to an increase in gender inequality, as women are perceived to be more prone to losing yin energy and need to work harder to maintain the balance of yin and yang. This perception adversely affects women's lives and social status, restricting their development and freedom.
Conclusion
In ancient China, concepts such as "men must be widowed, women must be widowed" reflected the deep gender inequality in society. The origins of this notion can be traced back to the influence of Xingchen Bagua and Guiguzi, both of which emphasized the importance of yin and yang, leading to stereotypes and discrimination against gender roles.
However, with the progress of society and the development of civilization, we should abandon the ideas of the past and advocate equality between men and women based on science. Gender should not be a factor in determining the fate of an individual, and everyone should have an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams and happiness. We should strive to break down gender stereotypes and create a more fraternal and egalitarian society.
The old concept that men must be widowed and women must be widowed" seems outdated and unreasonable today. We live in a progressive society that should abandon such gender stereotypes and pursue the idea of equality between men and women. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to pursue their own happiness and success, regardless of gender. It is only in an equal and just society that we can truly realize the value and potential of human beings. Let's work together to break down this outdated mindset and create a better future.