Analects 11.26 · Xian Jin
“In late spring, when the spring clothes are ready, I would go with five or six young men and six or seven boys, bathe in the River Yi, enjoy the breeze at the Rain Altar, and return home singing.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
暮春者 春服既成 冠者五六人 童子六七人 浴乎沂 風乎舞雩 詠而歸 (mù chūn zhě, chūn fú jì chéng, guàn zhě wǔ liù rén, tóng zǐ liù qī rén, yù hū yí, fēng hū wǔ yú, yǒng ér guī) means “In late spring, when the spring clothes are ready, I would go with five or six young men and six or seven boys, bathe in the River Yi, enjoy the breeze at the Rain Altar, and return home singing.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 11 (Xian Jin), Chapter 26.
暮春者 春服既成 冠者五六人 童子六七人 浴乎沂 風乎舞雩 詠而歸
- Pinyin
- mù chūn zhě, chūn fú jì chéng, guàn zhě wǔ liù rén, tóng zǐ liù qī rén, yù hū yí, fēng hū wǔ yú, yǒng ér guī
- Translation
- In late spring, when the spring clothes are ready, I would go with five or six young men and six or seven boys, bathe in the River Yi, enjoy the breeze at the Rain Altar, and return home singing.
- Source
- Analects, Book 11 (Xian Jin), Chapter 26
What does this passage mean?
This passage from the famous 'sitting in attendance' scene of the Xian Jin chapter records the words of Zeng Dian. When Confucius asks four disciples to describe their aspirations, Zilu speaks of military affairs, Ran You of finance, and Gongxi Hua of diplomacy. Zeng Dian, however, says that in late spring he would bathe in the River Yi with friends, enjoy the breeze at the Rain Altar, and return home singing. Confucius sighs and says, 'I am with Dian' (吾與點也). He takes as his ideal not political ambition but a simple life in harmony with nature.
How can we apply it today?
In a world pursuing success, advancement, and power, Zeng Dian's answer is radical. He pictures a simple scene of enjoying nature with good people in a beautiful season, and Confucius agrees that this is the most ideal life. Walking through a park with family on the weekend, picnicking beside a river with friends, or hiking in the spring breeze—perhaps these simple joys are the ultimate thing we have been seeking.
Questions to reflect on
- ·What does my ideal life look like?
- ·Do I have enough room in my life to enjoy simple happiness?
- ·Beyond success and advancement, what scene of life do I truly desire?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 暮 | mù | grow late | 15 | 日 (sun) |
| 春 | chūn | spring | 9 | 日 (sun) |
| 者 | zhě | one; thing | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 春 | chūn | spring | 9 | 日 (sun) |
| 服 | fú | clothes | 8 | 月 (moon) |
| 既 | jì | already | 10 | 无 (not) |
| 成 | chéng | accomplish | 7 | 戈 (halberd) |
| 冠 | guàn | capped adult; wear a cap | 9 | 冖 (cover) |
| 者 | zhě | one; thing | 8 | 老 (old) |
| 五 | wǔ | five | 4 | 二 (two) |
| 六 | liù | six | 4 | 八 (eight) |
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
| 童 | tóng | child | 12 | 立 (stand) |
| 子 | zǐ | son | 3 | 子 (child) |
| 六 | liù | six | 4 | 八 (eight) |
| 七 | qī | seven | 2 | 一 (one) |
| 人 | rén | person | 2 | 人 (person) |
| 浴 | yù | bathe | 10 | 水 (water) |
| 乎 | hū | grammatical particle | 5 | 丿 (slash) |
| 沂 | yí | Yi River | 7 | 水 (water) |
| 風 | fēng | wind | 9 | 風 (wind) |
| 乎 | hū | grammatical particle | 5 | 丿 (slash) |
| 舞 | wǔ | dance | 14 | 舛 (oppose) |
| 雩 | yú | rain-prayer ceremony | 11 | 雨 (rain) |
| 詠 | yǒng | chant | 12 | 言 (speech) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 歸 | guī | return | 18 | 止 (stop) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “In late spring, when the spring clothes are…” mean?
暮春者 春服既成 冠者五六人 童子六七人 浴乎沂 風乎舞雩 詠而歸 (mù chūn zhě, chūn fú jì chéng, guàn zhě wǔ liù rén, tóng zǐ liù qī rén, yù hū yí, fēng hū wǔ yú, yǒng ér guī) means “In late spring, when the spring clothes are ready, I would go with five or six young men and six or seven boys, bathe in the River Yi, enjoy the breeze at the Rain Altar, and return home singing.” It comes from the Analects, Book 11 (Xian Jin), Chapter 26.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 11.26: Book 11 (Xian Jin), Chapter 26.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
In a world pursuing success, advancement, and power, Zeng Dian's answer is radical.