Three Obediences and Four Virtues

The Three Obediences and Four Virtues () is a set of moral principles and social code of behavior for maiden and married women in East Asian Confucianism, especially in ancient and imperial China. Women were to obey their fathers, husbands, and sons, and to be modest and moral in their actions and speech.

Terminology

The two terms ("three obediences" and "four virtues") first appeared in the Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial and in the Rites of Zhou respectively, which codified the protocol for an elegant and refined culture for Chinese civilization. The protocol was originally meant to define the various parts of a harmonious society and was not intended as a rule book. This code had a strong impact on ancient and imperial China. It went on to influence other East Asian civilizations, such as Japan and Korea, and prescribed East Asian social and philosophical thought even into the twentieth century.

Three Feminine Obediences

The Three Obediences instruct that a woman is obligated not to act on her own initiatives and must submissively obey or follow:

1. her father at home, before getting married (; or )
2. her husband after getting married (; or )
3. her sons in widowhood after her husband's death ()

Four Feminine Virtues

The Four Feminine Virtues are:

1. Feminine Conduct ()
2. Feminine Speech ()
3. Feminine Comportment ()
4. Feminine Works ()

Ban Zhao (49–120 CE), the first known female Chinese historian, elaborated on these in her treatise Lessons for Women ():

See also

• Three Fundamental Bonds and Five Constant Virtues
• Chbab srey - Cambodian traditional code of conduct for women
• Good Wife, Wise Mother

References

Bibliography