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Nü sanzing 女三字經 "Three-character classic for girls" is a textbook for primary teaching for girls written during the Qing period 清 (1644-1911) by Zhu Hao 朱浩 and Wen Xingyuan 文星源. The short book was printed in 1905 by the Tingyu Studio 聽雨堂. It is 4,500 characters long and stretches over five chapters. All phrases are composed of three characters in a vernacular language that is easy to understand.
男女衣，不同架。 凡見人，即起身， 遠離坐，勿比親。 行遇人，即轉身， 毋不避，直撞行。 伯叔母，姑娘輩， 雖然熟，禮不廢。 生客來，要謹避， 切不可，呆相對。 |
At ten years old, as she grows tall, Boys and girls don’t share at all. When people come, she stands with grace, And takes a seat in a distant place. When on the road, she steps aside, Not straight ahead with careless stride. With uncles, aunts, and those she’s near, Respect and manners stay sincere. When strangers call, she shan't remain, But leaves at once, nor stare in vain. |
| 十四五，已成人， 婦道近，要關心。 烹調熟，紡織勤， 門內事，件件精。 現做女，將做媳， 要做人，從此起。 慎言語，慎舉動， 竟兢兢，勿放縱。 務貞靜，務端莊， 色凜凜，勿輕狂。 |
At fourteen, fifteen, now mature, Womanly duties she must secure. In cooking skilled, in weaving keen, Mastering household tasks unseen. A daughter now, a wife-to-be, Her conduct shapes her destiny. Be cautious with words, with actions too, Stay vigilant, and virtue pursue. Embrace restraint, stay calm and pure, With grace and poise, let heart be sure. |
It was written in imitation of the archetype Sanzijing 三字經. The first chapter describes the construction of the cosmos and society, including the inferior position of women to men. The second chapter explains how a girl has to behave before being married. Foot-binding is mentioned here, and obedience to the parents crucial. The focus of obedience changes after marriage towards the husband and the parents-in-law. As a mother then, responsibility for an excellent education was put into the hands of a woman. In the last chapter, the authors narrate some examples from the past that a girl should follow during her life.