The term is used to describe efforts to teach people essential ideals and principles of renwen（人文）and guide them to embrace goodness with the aim of building a harmonious – albeit hierarchical – social order, according to the level of development of a civilization and the specifics of the society. Ren wen refers to poetry, books, social norms, music, law and other non-material components of civilization.Hua（化）means to edify the populace;cheng（成）refers to the establishment or prosperity of rule by civil means (as opposed to force). The concept emphasizes rule by civil means, and is another expression of the Chinese concept of “civilization”.

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Observing the movements of the sun, moon, and stars helps us learn about the change of seasons; studying the development of poetry, books, social norms, and music enables us to edify the populace so that the rule by civil means can prosper. (The book of Changes)