Uploaded May 2013 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Ancient China has many notable women who were mothers to famous individuals in Chinese history. Through their virtuous upbringing, wisdom, and support, these exemplary mothers helped to shape the destiny of their children, and the nation.
One famous mother was Yue Mu—the mother of the great General Yue Fei, who was born in 1103, towards the end of the Northern Song Dynasty. Yue Fei's parents were humble farmers in what is today's Henan Province.
When Yue Fei was a young man, China was constantly attacked from the north by the Jurchen army. At the time, the Song Imperial court urgently needed soldiers to defend the country.
One story has it that, Yue Fei was so caring and loyal to his mother that he was ready to stay at home to look after her instead of going to war. But his mother would not let the son do that!
Knowing her son was torn between loyalty to the country and filial piety for his mother, Yue Mu encouraged her son to embrace the honor of defending his country.
To inspire her son, she tattooed four Chinese characters on his back: "Jing zhong bao guo." It means to "serve the country with loyalty."
With his mother's blessing and unwavering support, Yue Fei joined the army, and later became one of the greatest military general during the Southern Song Dynasty.
When his mother died in 1136, Yue Fei took leave to respect the mourning period. But he was called back for duty to fight in a battle against the Jin Dynasty in the north.
Today, General Yue Fei is a symbol of filial piety and loyalty. His mother is revered for the significant role she played in shaping her son's destiny.
Ancient Chinese history has another famous mother. She is Chang-shih, the mother of Mencius—one of China's greatest philosophers, who lived during the fourth century B.C.
When Mencius was still a child, his father passed away. His mother had to care for him alone and although they were very poor, this did not stop her trying to find a good environment for her son's upbringing.
One story has it that Mencius' mother moved house three times before finding a suitable home.
The first home was near a cemetery. She noticed young Mencius imitating the mourners in funeral processions, and realized it was not a good environment for her son. So she moved near to a market place. But when she saw Mencius imitating the traders' haggling voices, she decided to move again. She didn't want her son to behave like the traders, as in ancient China, merchants and traders were considered the lowest social class.
Mencius' mother then moved to a house near a school. When she saw Mencius imitating the scholars, she was assured that it's the right place to bring up her son. Inspired by the scholars, young Mencius went to study and grew up to became one of the most famous Confucian scholars.
Today, the expression, "Mencius' mother, three moves," or "mèng mǔ sān qiān" in Chinese, has become a well-known Chinese four-character idiom. It refers to the importance of having a good environment to bring up children.
By Margaret Trey, PhD.
Ancient China has many notable women who were mothers to famous individuals in Chinese history. Through their virtuous upbringing, wisdom, and support, these exemplary mothers helped to shape the destiny of their children, and the nation.
One famous mother was Yue Mu—the mother of the great General Yue Fei, who was born in 1103, towards the end of the Northern Song Dynasty. Yue Fei's parents were humble farmers in what is today's Henan Province.
When Yue Fei was a young man, China was constantly attacked from the north by the Jurchen army. At the time, the Song Imperial court urgently needed soldiers to defend the country.
One story has it that, Yue Fei was so caring and loyal to his mother that he was ready to stay at home to look after her instead of going to war. But his mother would not let the son do that!
Knowing her son was torn between loyalty to the country and filial piety for his mother, Yue Mu encouraged her son to embrace the honor of defending his country.
To inspire her son, she tattooed four Chinese characters on his back: "Jing zhong bao guo." It means to "serve the country with loyalty."
With his mother's blessing and unwavering support, Yue Fei joined the army, and later became one of the greatest military general during the Southern Song Dynasty.
When his mother died in 1136, Yue Fei took leave to respect the mourning period. But he was called back for duty to fight in a battle against the Jin Dynasty in the north.
Today, General Yue Fei is a symbol of filial piety and loyalty. His mother is revered for the significant role she played in shaping her son's destiny.
Ancient Chinese history has another famous mother. She is Chang-shih, the mother of Mencius—one of China's greatest philosophers, who lived during the fourth century B.C.
When Mencius was still a child, his father passed away. His mother had to care for him alone and although they were very poor, this did not stop her trying to find a good environment for her son's upbringing.
One story has it that Mencius' mother moved house three times before finding a suitable home.
The first home was near a cemetery. She noticed young Mencius imitating the mourners in funeral processions, and realized it was not a good environment for her son. So she moved near to a market place. But when she saw Mencius imitating the traders' haggling voices, she decided to move again. She didn't want her son to behave like the traders, as in ancient China, merchants and traders were considered the lowest social class.
Mencius' mother then moved to a house near a school. When she saw Mencius imitating the scholars, she was assured that it's the right place to bring up her son. Inspired by the scholars, young Mencius went to study and grew up to became one of the most famous Confucian scholars.
Today, the expression, "Mencius' mother, three moves," or "mèng mǔ sān qiān" in Chinese, has become a well-known Chinese four-character idiom. It refers to the importance of having a good environment to bring up children.
By Margaret Trey, PhD.
