Confucian thought on filial piety Filial piety is a basic concept of Confucianism and it is also an ethic of human value advocated by Confucius. It is essential and indispensable for social stability, historical continuity, people's happiness and family harmony in ancient China. For thousands of years, the Chinese, rich and poor, have been deeply influenced by the culture of filial piety. Filial piety is the most basic principle for each of us. It is the original emotion based on the natural blood relationship. Filial piety as the basis for social ethics, the family is its most fundamental stage. Home should be a place full of affection, there is no affection of the family can not be regarded as the true sense of home. And filial piety is the basis for preservation of the family affection. The parents’ age should be always kept in mind by the children. On the one hand, children are happy with their longevity; on the other hand, they fear that their parents will die soon. This conflicted feeling just shows that filial piety is the natural expression of human emotion. Confucius explained the filial piety from four aspects. First, support the parents when they are old to repay them. This is the basic request for Confucian filial piety. Children should always respect their parents and make it a rule of conduct to inherit and carry forward the will of the ancestors. Second, respect and honor the parents in spirit. This is the high requirement of filial piety. Only supporting parents is not enough. Everyone should keep filial respect in mind all the time. Confucius thought that he who is a son of parents should not impose a mental burden on his parents. Parents are always worried about the health of children. Those who are children should be aware of the heart of their parents and take care of the body. Love the parents and also respect the elder brother is a basic ethic to maintain family harmony. Brothers should love and help each other. The fraternal duty will make parents happy and joy. Third, if parents have made a mistake, the children should not blindly follow. Persuade the parents gently and softly. Do not hurt their feeling if they don’t accept the advice. Make a chance to persuade them again after a while. That would be manifestation of filial piety. Forth, filial piety also refers to inherit father’s will. When the father is alive, the son is not in charge of family matters. His ambition is important here. When the father passed away, the action and behavior of the son would get close attention by others. Fifth, Confucianism regards burial ceremony as one of the main symbols of filial piety. The funeral is for the dead, but it is the inner expression of the filial piety of the living. As a consolation to death, the funeral ceremony is also a realization of filial piety. Confucius' filial piety is the compilation of the thought in the Book Documents. He developed and improved the filial piety of Zhou dynasty. Filial piety is the natural feeling from the depth of one’s heart. It has been handed down from father to son for countless generations and remains very much alive today.