Three Character Classic-Audio SanZiJing

Three Character Classic-Audio

The Three Character Classic or San Zi Jing can be called a most popular and influential enlightening work in China. It was probably written in the 13th century and attributed to Wang Yinglin (王應麟, 1223–1296) during the Song Dynasty.

This work has become popular all over China as the widely adopted first formal textbook for children.

The text is written in triplets of characters for easy memorization. With illiteracy common for most people at the time, the oral tradition of reciting the classic ensured its popularity and survival through the centuries. With the short and simple text arranged in three-character verses, children learned many common characters, grammar structures, elements of Chinese history and the basis of Confucian morality.