In ancient China, students commonly gave gifts to their teachers
In China, during the ancient years, teachers earned income through salaries, housing, and festive gifts from parents, who contributed money or food based on ability, rather than fixed tuition.In private schools, hosts gave gifts during festivals like Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, Chinese New Year, Confucius’ birthday, and the tutor’s own, or at term starts and ends.
Regionally varied, an introductory “Six Ritual Gifts with Dried Meat (Shuxiu Liuli)” was essential for apprentices, especially in Song (960-1279), Ming (1368-1644), and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
These symbolized gratitude: dried meat for guidance, celery for diligence, lotus seeds for dedication, red dates for exam success, longan for virtue and merit, and red beans for luck and prosperity.In the ceremony, students bowed to Confucius then the teacher, underscoring the solemn value of honoring educators and education.
