Did Mencius' Mother Really Move Three Times for His Education?

Introduction to the Famous Story of Mencius' Mother

One of the most well-known stories about the Chinese philosopher Mencius is the tale of ‘Mencius' mother moving three times,’ also known as Mengmu Sanqian Zhijiao.

The Meaning Behind the Phrase

The term itself carries deep significance. The characters break down as follows: ‘Mengmu’ refers to Mencius' mother, while ‘Sanqian’ means ‘three moves,’ indicating the number of relocations. ‘Zhijiao’ represents a lesson or moral related to teaching. Thus, the story essentially conveys the idea of “the educational lessons from Mencius’ mother moving three times.”

The Story of Mencius' Three Moves

This story is often recounted by Confucian scholars to highlight the importance of education. Here's how it unfolds:

Initially, Mencius and his mother lived near a marketplace. Young Mencius would often imitate the merchants he saw. Concerned that this wasn’t an ideal environment for her son’s development, his mother decided to move. The second place they moved to was near a cemetery. However, Mencius began mimicking the behavior of funeral processions. Seeing this, she relocated again, this time near a school. Finally, Mencius started imitating scholars, which pleased his mother, and they stayed in that area.

Questioning the Story

Upon closer inspection, there are several peculiar elements in this tale. First, it seems Mencius' mother disapproved of merchants, even though trade isn’t inherently negative. This bias likely stems from Confucian values, which historically placed scholars at the top, followed by farmers, artisans, and merchants at the bottom. Merchants were often regarded with contempt in this hierarchy.

Another interesting point is that Mencius’ mother appears to make repeated mistakes. Despite her deep concern for her son’s education, it seems odd that she would choose less-than-ideal locations like a marketplace and a cemetery before finally settling near a school. If she were so dedicated to his education, why didn’t she consider the best environment from the outset?

Mencius and the Importance of Learning

The association of educational stories with Mencius likely stems from Confucian emphasis on the written word and the transmission of knowledge. Just as Confucius and his disciples valued learning, Mencius was known for his dedication to education and intellectual pursuits. His debates often drew upon historical examples, reflecting a deep understanding of history and culture—something that wouldn’t have been possible without rigorous study.

For these reasons, stories emphasizing the value of education, such as this one, have become central to Mencius' legacy.