Tang Dynasty xunmengshi was not merely verse for child edification, but an educational medium that internalized the knowledge, morality, and cultural value system demanded by society into poetic language. The historical context of the Tang Dynasty—marked by the systematization of the civil service examination and the popularization of literacy—allowed poetry to transcend simple emotional expression and take on the function of education and moral transformation. This background gave rise to Hunmongsi, a unique genre where literature became the language of pedagogy and education was absorbed into the poetic form.
This study analyzes four representative Xunmengshiworks—Li Qiao’s Zayong Shi, Hu Zeng’s Yongshi Shi, Zhao Gu’s Dushi Biannian Shi, and Yang Man-chuan’s Yong Xiaojing Shiba Zhang —to demonstrate how Xunmengshiintegrated education across the three domains of knowledge, morality, and ethics:
Zayong Shi: Served as a medium for object recognition and language learning, expanding the child’s cognitive ability and systematizing the world into a linguistic order.
Yongshi Shi: Functioned as a medium for historical-moral judgment, guiding children to internalize the criteria for moral value through the didactic rendering of historical events.
Dushi Biannian Shi: Acted as a medium for developmental-stage ethical education, showing the formation of ethical norms during the growth process by arranging figures and virtues according to age.
Yong Xiaojing Shiba Zhang: Represented the practical application of Confucian ethics, transforming the philosophy of the Classic of Filial Piety (Xiaojing) into three layers of practice: social order, cosmic resonance, and inner completion.
These four works collectively form a staged structure—Knowledge Acquisition, Moral Judgment, Ethical Practice, and Transcendental Resonance—revealing the comprehensive educational ideal pursued by Tang Dynasty Hunmongsi. This positions literature as an educational apparatus for the reproduction of social values and the transmission of cultural capital (P. Bourdieu). Furthermore, to maximize content delivery and circulation, Xunmengshiadopted a plain and intuitive format, deliberately excluding artistic metaphors and symbolism, which was key to its widespread acceptance in educational settings.
In conclusion, Tang Dynasty Xunmengshipresented a poetic model for human growth and is evaluated as the poetic realization of a comprehensive educational system encompassing knowledge, ethics, and aesthetics, making it a cornerstone of classical East Asian educational culture.
Future Research: An in-depth investigation into the formal structure and distribution patterns of Xunmengshiis proposed as a vital future research task.