𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 ( 和, Héxié)

While some international media sometimes sneer mockingly about the word harmony when talking about China, harmony has been at the core of Chinese culture and embedded in society since ancient times.

Harmony is a proper and balanced coordination between nature, society and humanity, encompassing rationale, propriety, and compatibility. It is also a prerequisite for cultivating one’s morality, protecting one’s family, governing one’s nation and stabilizing the world.

Harmony is often mistaken for uniformity but nothing less is true. Harmony in music was important during the era of Confucius in which each individual contributes uniquely and in their own way to a harmonious music performance. Harmony is striving for a peaceful mind and mutual benefits when dealing with others, following the principle of harmony, not uniformity or mindless consensus.

Harmony is also often mistaken for a soft, passive approach. Harmony encompasses the values of benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, honesty and loyalty. Harmony does not mean shying away from conflict when consensus is impossible, it should be dealt with righteously and legally.

#china #chinesesociety #chineseculture #crosscultural #socialintelligence