Instytut Kultury Regionalnej i Badań Literackich im. Franciszka Karpińskiego
Abstract
The objective of this article is to analyse contemporary interpretations of the
Chinese virtue called xiao. The author first describes the role and meaning of xiao
(mostly translated to English as filial piety) in traditional Chinese culture and society.
Then he analyses its contemporary interpretations in various sources, such as electronic
media, state television programs, popular culture, and thought of contemporary Chinese
philosophers. This analysis leads to the conclusion that the present-day notion
of xiao differs from that existing in the past. The earlier notion placed a strong emphasis
on obedience to parents’ wishes; nowadays this notion emphasizes concern
about parents’ emotional wellbeing, while giving children a higher degree of independence
