Three months do not know the taste of meat. Confucius listened to Shao music and loved it so much that he said: "Three months do not know the taste of meat!" This is also an exaggeration. Meat was very important to the people of Confucius' time. Confucius collected dried meat (shuxiu) for his tuition fees. But after he listened to the incomparably beautiful Shao music, his whole body was occupied and lingered by the pleasure and aftertaste brought by Shao music for a long time. He might involuntarily fall into deep thought and wandering thoughts; or he might just be in a daze, something like that. He couldn't remember it, but his body and mind were comfortable, peaceful, and sweet, and he felt great comfort and balance. Therefore, he sighed: "I don't know the taste of meat in March!" - Confucius, what a pure heart!
Definition: Generally used to describe the beauty and beauty of music.
Allusion: Chang Hong, the doctor of King Zhou Jing, was receiving guests in his hall. It is said to be a hall, but it is actually very simple. There is a large thatched shed supported by four earthen walls. The floor is covered with bamboo mats, and a few simple rectangular wooden tables with short legs are placed on the mats. This visitor is none other than Confucius, a senior official in the state of Lu. Confucius was proficient in poetry, calligraphy, rituals, and Yi, and was also quite good at music, but he had not yet reached the level of proficiency. He heard that Chang Hong, the official of the Emperor of Zhou, knew astronomy, meteorology, calendars, and was especially proficient in music, so he took the opportunity to pay a visit to the Emperor on behalf of Lu Jun and paid a special visit to Chang Hong's home.
It seemed that the greetings were over. The two of them sat on the floor opposite each other. There was a cup of hot tea on the table in front of them, steaming out. The host and guest were both in their mid-thirties, but Chang Hong had a handsome appearance, with a few strands of black beard hanging down his chest; Confucius was slightly fatter, with a thick beard. The conversation gradually turned serious. Confucius clasped his hands and bowed, and said humbly: "Doctor Chang is knowledgeable and talented, while Confucius is ignorant and ignorant. There are many people who need advice, but I can't disturb you too much. I just want to ask you for advice on one thing today." "Maze." Chang Hong waved his hand and said with a smile: "Doctor Kong is well-known. It's just too late to meet him. Since I'm here today, I just want to ask for advice from you. If you have any questions, let's discuss it together." "Okay." Confucius said: "Qiu, I love music, but I don't know much about it. Shao music and martial arts are both very elegant and popular in the courts of the princes. What's the difference between them?" Chang Hong asked slowly. Said: "According to Hongyu, Shao music is the music of peace and harmony between Yu and Shun, with elegant and majestic tunes; Wu music is the music of King Wu defeating Zhou to unify the world, with majestic and bold music. In terms of music form, although the styles of the two Different, both are equally beautiful." Confucius further asked: "So, what is the difference in content between the two?" Chang Hong replied: "From the content point of view, Shao music focuses on peace and harmony, etiquette and enlightenment; Wu music Focusing on great chaos and great governance, and describing meritorious deeds and rectifying names, this is the fundamental difference between the two." Confucius suddenly realized: "From this point of view, Wu Yue is perfect but not perfect; Shao Yue is perfect!" Chang Hong praised it. Said: "Doctor Kong's conclusion is also perfect!" Confucius thanked him again and again, said goodbye and went back to his country.
In the second year, Confucius went to Qi as an envoy. Qi was founded by Jiang Taigong and was the place where Shao music and Wu music were orthodoxly spread. When the King of Qi held a grand ancestral temple sacrifice, Confucius attended the ceremony in person and listened to the performances of Shao music and Wu music for three days, which further confirmed Chang Hong's opinion. Confucius, out of his belief in Confucian etiquette, was particularly fond of Shao music. He played the piano and sang all day long, being so mesmerized that he often danced and danced obsessively. For three months in a row, he sang repeatedly in his sleep and pondered the rhythm of Shao music while eating, so much so that he could no longer taste the braised pork he always liked.
Later generations often use "perfection" and "three months without knowing the taste of meat" to comment on the story of Confucius asking Chang Hong for advice and being obsessed with Shao music.