Education was extremely important and was the only
path to wealth for the poor, that is if the son passed the examinations
and became an imperial official. In major cities children had the
opportunity to receive an elementary school education where they
learned to write and count.
Beginning in the Sui dynasty, civil service examinations
became very popular during the Tang dynasty and led to the development
of the examination for the jin-shi, or presented scholars, which
became the most prestigious exam. To counter the great influence
of the distinguished class, the examinations allowed people of lower
class to rise up the social latter to high government positions.
The jin-shi exam was based on a person's ability to write essays
and poems to set topics and differed in that respect to the less
prestigious exam of memorizing the Confucian Classics. It is believed
that Empress Wu was the first to introduce classical poetry as part
of the examination.
An ordinary man who wished for respect, honor, and
possible wealth in the Tang period had to practice, learn, and master
what was called the "three perfections" - calligraphy, poetry, and
painting.
Education began at the age of four when a young boy
was taught to read and write, by seven he would begin memorizing
the Thousand Character Classic, a Confucian essay. After, he would
proceed to memorize other classics such as The Great Learning and
the Book of Odes.
After years of studying, a young scholar took the
exam and if he passed then he became a scholar of the lowest degree.
This achievement gave him the opportunity to be appointed to a civil
service position although he was not guaranteed a job immediately.
The fate of most scholars was to become a teacher but those who
were able to move on became magistrates in nearby areas. Taking
and passing more exams meant more prestigious positions, the highest
being an appointment to a government position that dealt closely
with the emperor. People who did exceptionally well on their exams
received a valuable rhinoceros horn as a reward.
