孝
Xiao
Confucianism · conceptXiao (孝, xiào) is the Confucian vocabulary of filial care, respect, and responsibility toward parents and ancestors. Analects 1.2 connects filial and fraternal respect with the basis or root of Ren in Youzi’s saying; later texts develop broader claims about filial piety, which should not be silently attributed to Confucius or collapsed into Ren.
夫孝，德之本也，教之所由生也。
— Analects 1.2 for the Ren relationship; Classic of Filial Piety metadata remains separate
What Are the Key Facts About Xiao?
- Tradition: Confucianism
- Chinese: 孝
- Category: Concept
- Definition: Xiao (孝, xiào) is the Confucian vocabulary of filial care, respect, and responsibility toward parents and ancestors.
What Concepts Are Related to Xiao?
Ren 仁Guides That Go Deeper on Xiao
What Is XiaoWhat Other Guides Cover Confucianism?
Frequently Asked Questions About Xiao
What does xiao mean?
Xiao (孝) is filial piety — respect, care, and responsibility toward parents and ancestors. In Confucianism it is the root of ren and the foundation of social order.
What does the Analects say about xiao?
Analects 1.2 links filial and fraternal respect to the root of ren (attributed to Youzi). Filial devotion is presented as the starting point of ethical cultivation.
Is xiao only about obeying parents?
Not only. Xiao includes care, remembrance, and honoring parents' character, but Confucius also says a good child gently corrects a parent's errors (Analects 4.18), so it is not blind obedience.
How does xiao relate to politics in Confucianism?
Confucius argues that a ruler who is filial at home will be loyal in office; family reverence is the model for orderly government.