Nü'erjing 女兒經

Nü'erjing 女兒經 "Classic of girls" is a textbook for primary teaching for girls written by an unknown author during the Ming period 明 (1368-1644).

The most critical editions of this book published during the Wanli reign-period 萬曆 (1573-1619), an edition with a commentary by Zhao Nanxing 趙南星 (1550-1627) from the Tianqi reign-period 天啟 (1621-1627), the so-called Qiushi Nü'erjing 裘氏女兒經 printed by Master Gao 高氏 around the year 1622, a revised edition by He Ruilin 賀瑞麟, the Gailiang Nü'erjing 改良女兒經 from the Tongzhi reign-period 同治 (1862-1874), and a print by the Tunxijuwen Studio 屯溪聚文堂 from the Guangxu reign-period 光緒 (1875-1908).

The book is written in phrases that are all consisting of three characters. The book is 864 characters long, or 288 sentences. It explains that a girl had to obey her father and mother, work hard, live a proper life, speak with a low voice, and wear decent clothes. After marriage, her obedience had to be given to her parents-in-law and husband. She had to care for their household, to establish a good relationship with the neighbourhood, and to raise her children. The Nü'erjing also brings forward examples from the past which each woman should try to follow. The book was widespread because it is easy to read and memorialise.