Han Yu - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Han Yu (768-824 CE), one of the most influential litterateurs of the Tang Dynasty, stands as a towering figure in Chinese intellectual history whose impact resonates through philosophy, literature, and political thought. Known also as Han Tuizhi (韓退之) and revered as the "Prince of Letters," he emerged as a pivotal force in the Classical Prose Movement (古文運動) that would reshape Chinese literary expression for centuries to come.
First appearing in historical records as a child prodigy who passed the imperial examinations at age 23, Han Yu rose to prominence during a period of profound cultural transformation in Tang China. His early life coincided with the aftermath of the An Lushan Rebellion (755-763 CE), a catastrophic event that prompted deep reflection among Chinese intellectuals about the foundations of their civilization. Contemporary sources, including the Old Book of Tang, document his meteoric rise through the bureaucratic ranks, though his unwavering principles often placed him at odds with prevailing political winds.
Han Yu's intellectual legacy is most powerfully expressed in his campaign against Buddhism and his advocacy for a return to Confucian orthodoxy. His famous memorial "Memorial on the Bone of Buddha" (諫迎佛骨表), presented to Emperor Xianzong in 819 CE, exemplifies his bold stance against what he viewed as harmful foreign influences on Chinese culture. This act of intellectual courage resulted in his temporary exile to Chaozhou, a remote region that would later celebrate him as a cultural hero. His literary innovations, particularly in the "ancient style" prose movement, transformed Chinese writing by advocating clarity, precision, and moral purpose over ornate artifice.
Today, Han Yu's influence extends far beyond his immediate historical context. His essays continue to be studied as models of Chinese prose style, while his philosophical concepts, particularly his interpretation of the Confucian way (道統), remain relevant to contemporary discussions of Chinese cultural identity. Modern scholars regularly revisit his works, finding in them not only literary excellence but also insights into the perennial tensions between tradition and innovation, nationalism and cosmopolitanism. Perhaps most intriguingly, Han Yu's life poses enduring questions about the role of intellectuals in society and the price of standing firm in one's convictions against prevailing orthodoxies.