CONFUCIUS would no doubt have something to
say about a decision yesterday to recognise women for the first time
in 2,500 years as descendants of the ancient Chinese sage.

Kong Dehong, a 77th-generation descendant of the philosopher and
the man in charge of the fifth update of the family tree, said the
change would also bring the genealogy into the digital era. “We have
to adapt to the times,” he said. Men and women are equal now. Even
if a woman has to leave the family when she marries, that doesn’t
change the fact that she is descended from Confucius.”

Mr Kong announced the change during a gathering of descendants of
Confucius — whose name in Chinese is Kong Fuzi — from around the
world in his birthplace in Qufu in Shandong province.

Festivities to commemorate Confucius will culminate today with
ceremonies in Qufu to mark the 2,557th birthday of the sage, whose
sayings have won worldwide renown.

One woman descendant of the philospher best known for The
Analects, his writings, welcomed the change as a recognition of
the higher status of women in China today. Miss Kong, who is 34 and
a 76th-generation descendant, told The Times: “In feudal
society men were superior to women. I guess that is why women were
not qualified to be included in the family tree. So I am extremely
happy with this change.”

Confucius had decided views on women. He once said: “Women and
people of low birth are very hard to deal with. If you are friendly
with them, they get out of hand, and if you keep your distance, they
resent it.” By contrast, Chairman Mao said: “Women hold up half the
sky.” Miss Kong had no comment on her ancestor’s sayings.

However, the ideas of filial piety and deference to elders
espoused by the 5th-century BC philosopher influence Chinese society
and politics even today. Confucius is enjoying something of a
revival in China, particularly among its Communist Party leaders who
have taken to citing his emphasis on harmony.

Mr Kong is overseeing the fifth update of the family tree and
said that descendants will number about 1.5 million when it is
completed and published in 2009.

The family tree is regarded as the world’s longest, recording
more than 80 generations. The new one will include the name of the
spouse as well as educational background and posts held by
descendants. It will be available in digital form.

Women descendants will be written in the same size characters as
men. Kong Dewei, the head of the Confucius Genealogy editorial
office, said that women make up fewer than 200,000 of the total but
the figure will change as the compilation work advances.

Ancient sage

Born 551 BC, died 479

The Analects are his most famous works

Confucianism seen as a religion or a philosophy