Archivo: 木鐸 --- Confucian wooden-clapper bell

Description: Wooden-clapper bell (木鐸 mùduó) used as a symbol of Confucianism. The symbolism is drawn upon the Analects of Confucius, 3.24, where it is said: 天將以夫子爲木鐸, "Heaven will instruct the master like a wooden-clapper bell (to awaken everyone to the Way)". An analogy is made between the master (in the phrase, Confucius himself) who resonates with the order of Heaven which inspires him, and the bell, as if Heaven were the clapper and the master were the bell. The wooden-clapper bell is also an actual instrument that was used to gather people by ancient Chinese administrations, is used for ritual, and by analogy it means the purpose of Confucianism, that is to preach and educate people to the right values.
Title: 木鐸 --- Confucian wooden-clapper bell
Credit: Own reproduction of a drawing made by Picnic11219 for Chinese Wikipedia.
Author: Aethelwolf Emsworth.
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No