Father. Xiao (Filial Piety) and Li (Rites) were two pillars of patriarchy in ancient China. Li stipulated that the highest rank and respect be awarded to the Jia Zhang (family head, or father); Xiao was the beginning of Li and was used to ensure the proper ordering of the family. With few exceptions, laws in the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279), and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties proclaimed that all family property belonged to the father. The concept of Jia Zhang was deeply ingrained in traditional Chinese familial culture. As the family head the father had the highest authority, which required total obedience from other family members because he was seen as their superior. In a similar vein, broadly defined, the head of the clan was also authorized to play the role of Jia Zhang in relation to his kinsmen in the larger community...