Page 269 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 262
Official

guan

Both in the theory of the state and in the social hierarchy of ancient China, the official’s
role was of cardinal importance. Education, the organisation of public works, military
affairs and jurisdiction were all in the hands of powerful officials. Their activities even
had a cosmological dimension: for some of them were astronomers who looked after
the calendar and, at the same time, recorded and interpreted the astrological signs
( astrology).

An official in court dress with a bat: ‘May
the divine official bring good luck!’

The Taoist concept of wu wei (‘activity in non-activity’) was interpreted by later
philosophers as meaning that the official had to be active and efficient, while the
monarch did nothing. It was enough for the ruler to choose the right sort of officials who
would then discharge all his duties, leaving him to enjoy his supreme rank in majestic
peace. As Han Fei-zi puts it: ‘His doing is non-doing, and nothing is left undone.’