ABSTRACT
Confucianism, Taoism (Daoism), and Buddhism are the leading thought systems that influenced symbolism and style in Chinese art. Confucianism stresses wisdom in tradition, social harmony, moral excellence achieved by self-cultivation and the study of classical literature, service to society, and reverence for ancestors and parents. Harmony in the world of nature and man is achieved by the superior man (chun-tzu), who knows what is morally right and applies it to human affairs.
