In the Analects of Confucius, the rites symbolize a deep respect for antiquity. Throughout the book, Confucius continually defends the rites—which are ancient cultural practices, such as spiritual sacrifice or musical performance, as well as regulations that determine who should perform them—from being destroyed in his contemporary times. For instance, at one point Confucius scolds Tzu-kung, who wants to end the practice of sacrificing sheep on the new moon, saying, “You may be loath to part with the price of the sheep, but I am loath to see the disappearance of the rite.” This is one of many examples throughout the Analects in which Confucius advocates for the continued practice of the rites even if they aren’t pragmatic in the present day. Rites are important, Confucius implies, because preserving and respecting antiquity is important, and rites are a vehicle for that. In conversations in which Confucius advocates for the rites, he often includes in his reasoning the fact that this was the way things were done in “antiquity.” Thus the rites, and their continuing, symbolize a respect for the cultural traditions of one’s ancestors.
The Rites Quotes in The Analects
“To return to the observance of rites through overcoming the self constitutes benevolence. If for a single day a man could return to the observance of the rites through overcoming himself, then the whole Empire would consider benevolence to be his. However, the practice of benevolence depends on oneself alone, and not on others.”
The Rites Symbol Timeline in The Analects
