In traditional Chinese culture, respect for the elderly and love for the young is a deep-rooted virtue.
Today, let's talk about the "elderly" among them.
When you think of "old people", you may think of those old people with gray hair, smiling faces, and wisdom shining in their eyes. That's right, "elderly" refers to those old people who are virtuous and respectable.
In ancient times, people believed that the elderly over 60 years old could be called "elderly". These old people, because they have lived a long time, seen a lot, have rich experience, and have profound wisdom, are highly respected by everyone.
The character "耆" is not pronounced shì or qī, but is pronounced qí.
In a small village in ancient times, whenever there was something big or small in the village, the villagers would gather under the big tree at the entrance of the village to listen to the "elders" in the village tell stories about the past and share their life experiences.
The words of these old people are like a beacon that illuminates the path forward for the younger generation.
The word "elderly" can be traced back to a sentence in "The Book of Rites and the Royal System": "Raising the elderly to be filial piety, and compassion for loneliness to catch the insufficient".
Look, how much the ancients attached importance to the elderly, believing that old-age care is a manifestation of filial piety. The "elderly" here means the elderly, which reflects the respect and care for the elderly in ancient society.
Now, let's dive into the term "elder." It seems to carry a kind of historical heaviness and vicissitudes.
Usually, "bereaved old" refers to those who have gone through the changes of the world and witnessed the vicissitudes of history, especially those who were old ministers of the previous dynasty or those who are deeply attached to the old times. Because they have personally experienced the ups and downs of history, the existence of these old people is often closely linked to politics, and they unconsciously exude a political color.
For example, in the last years of the Qing Dynasty, those old people who still miss the Qing Dynasty and are unwilling to accept the arrival of the new era can be called "relics". They may be in the streets and alleys, sighing about the declining world and nostalgic for the era that has passed.
Therefore, although both "elderly" and "bereaved" refer to the elderly, their emphasis is completely different. The term "elderly" emphasizes the virtue and wisdom of the elderly, who are the wise men of society and are admired; On the other hand, "Survivors" focuses more on the historical background and identity of the elderly, reflecting their attachment and persistence to the past era.
Now, you should have a deeper understanding of "the elderly" and "the elderly", right? The next time you meet the elderly on the streets, you might as well have more respect and care, because they may have countless valuable life experiences and wisdom hidden in them!
Finally, let's go back to the word "elderly". Remember, "耆" is not pronounced shì or qī, but rather qí. When you pronounce this word correctly, it may also be a kind of respect and respect for those respected old people!
In this ever-changing era, let us not forget our original intention, remember the tradition, respect every "elderly", and understand and care for every "elder".