Ding yumei

Jan 4, 2012 © Ulrich Theobald

Yan Hui 顏回 (521-481 BCE), courtesy name Yuan 淵 or Ziyuan 子淵, called Yanzi 顏子 "Master Yan", was the most important disciple of Confucius. He came from Lu 魯, the home state of Confucius, and is later also known as Yan Shu 顏叔 "Uncle Yan" or Yan Sheng 顏生 "Master Yan".

His father Yan Wuyao 顏無繇, courtesy name Lu 路, was one of the earliest adherents of Confucius.

Yan Hui was 30 years younger than his Master and must have died at an early age. Various sources talk of different ages of 18, 29, 31 of 41 sui, of which the last figure seems to be the most probable.

Yan Hui grew up in a poor family, but he had an immense love of learning.

Li liufa

He therefore never accepted an office and preferred being a disciple of Confucius. The Master esteemed Yan Hui very highly and praised him for his noble and humankind behaviour. "He was flagging when I set forth anything to him," the Master said, and: "Yan Hui was such that for three months there would be nothing in his m