Boy Meets Unbreakable Bond - What Is Filial Piety? (孝, Xiào)

As we continue our "Family Table" month, we need to understand the bedrock of family structure in traditional East Asian culture: Filial Piety. Often translated as "respect for one's elders," this Confucian concept is a deep and complex system of duty, obligation, and reverence that has shaped society for millennia.

In this solo "Field Notes" episode, I'm exploring what Filial Piety (Xiào in Chinese) truly means. We'll look at its origins in the "Five Relationships" of Confucianism, its core principles of obedience and care, and how it shows up in everything from K-Dramas to business negotiations. We'll also grapple with the "Bridge" question: How does this concept contrast with the Western emphasis on individualism, and what can we learn from it?

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

► How was respect for elders shown in your family? Share your experiences in the #culture-talk channel on Discord

FURTHER READING:

► The Analects of Confucius

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