The Idea of Xiao
Xiao is a core value in Confucian ethics, often translated as “filial piety.” It refers to respect, loyalty, and care for one’s parents and ancestors. Xiao is seen as the foundation of moral conduct and social harmony in Confucianism.
It teaches that a person who honors family obligations will also contribute to a stable and moral society. Xiao is practiced through obedience, gratitude, and ritual offerings, extending eventually to respect for elders and authority figures.