Rites (礼, li) is one of the most important concepts in Confucianism. This can be traced back to the origin of Confucianism. The Chinese character for Confucianism is 儒 (ru). The etymological analysis suggests that it means a person taking a bath. Bathing and cleansing is the primary means before conducting ritual ceremonies. The original Confucians were actually persons who conducted ritual ceremonies as a profession. This is why in Confucianism, ritual ceremonies are very important.

There is a wide coverage of application for rites, from the relationship between states and between families to the table manners for the kings and for the ordinary people. To the Confucians, everything is dictated by rites, be they the systems and laws of a state, or the etiquettes and customs that guide the relationship among the people. It is through rites that the society and the social order are maintained. The Confucians hold the view that if there are no rites, there will be no difference between man and animal. Yanzi, a minister of the State of Qi, whom Confucius appreciated, said that the reason why man is superior to animal is because of riles.

What is the essence of rites? To the Confucians, rites are the proper manners through which one person interacts with others. In a society, there are differences between people, in social status, age and bloodline, etc. The difference in social status decides one’s identity and behaviour in a society. The seniority and the bloodline of a person decide one’s position in the family clan. Every person has his own position and identity. The Confucians acknowledge such differences; as Mencius had said, “the unevenness in things is natural.” That is to say, there are differences in things, which are determined by the law of the nature, just like shoes made by different people will be different, and in quality, too. If we do not recognize these differences and distinctions, and if we do not differentiate noble and inferior, and the old and young, we will be inequitable and get into chaos. Let’s take the shoes again for example. If we don’t admit the different qualities between shoes, and sell all of them at the same price, the market may be disrupted and be flooded with poor quality shoes. The essence of rites is to confirm and maintain such difference, and to stipulate the rights and obligations of the differences among them. For example, a king has his rights and obligations, so do his ministers. A king has proper rites to follow and so do his ministers. Should each person do their business according to their identity and position, conflicts could be avoided, and the coexistence and harmony could be achieved. To the Confucians, rites constitute the external outlook of the social order, and also form the root of good governance.

As far as an individual is concerned, he should perform his duties as a son in front of his father, and he should also follow the rites for a son. At the same token, a father, in front of his son, should act like a father. A manager in a company should act like a manager of the employees, as that is his responsibility. When this manager is in front of his superiors, he should fulfil his obligations as an employee. When the rites, the obligations and the responsibilities are taken care of by each person at different positions, and they are working together, an entity, either a family, a company or a state, will unite and flourish.

Since rites mean the confirmation and maintenance of the difference between people, theoretically, the difference is endless, so the number of rites is vast. For example, due to a person’s close or distant relationship with his family members, such as father, paternal uncle and maternal uncle, he will have to observe different, rites. Although the Confucians have tried their best to summarize, there are still over three thousand rites. It is not easy to master so many rites accurately, so repetition is encouraged. I hat was why wherever Confucius went, or whom he met, he would pay attention to the rites. He said, “Isn’t it a joy to learn and practice what is learnt from time to time?” Learning rites is the main content of Confucian cultivation.

After one has learnt the rites, one must observe them. For one to observe them is for him to be aware of his identity and status, fulfil his obligations, assume his duties, and not do what he should not do. Confucius said, “If one could restrain oneself and return to rites one day, the world could return to the state of benevolence.” If everyone can observe rites and do what he should do at all times and places according to his identity, conflicts could be avoided, normal order could be maintained, and harmonious developments achieved.