漫谈七十岁

门球狂人

    The discussion of the age of seventy

1. A bit of history
"Gu Xi" is the traditional Chinese term for reaching the age of seventy. It originates from the poem "Two Poems at the Qu River" by the great Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu. In the poem, Du Fu laments, "Life at seventy is rare since ancient times." This lamentation, over 1200 years ago, highlights the rarity of reaching the age of seventy. During the Ming Dynasty about five hundred years ago, the renowned painter and calligrapher Tang Yin (Tang Bohu) read Du Fu's poem and remarked that he had already reached "Gu Xi" or "old seventy." He then wrote a poem titled "Seventy Words," in which he expressed his wonder at being seventy years old and his reflection on the passing of time. Tang Yin's contemplation on life at seventy reflects how rare it was in his time. Looking back, it is indeed true that individuals who lived past the age of seventy, especially well-known poets and scholars, were very few in number. However, as society progressed over the centuries, life expectancy increased significantly. For instance, during Tang Yin's time, not only he, but also contemporaries such as Luo Guanzhong (author of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"), Wu Cheng'en (author of "Journey to the West"), Feng Menglong (author of "Stories to Awaken the World"), and Zheng Banqiao (a renowned painter and calligrapher) all lived past the age of seventy. In modern times, reaching the age of seventy is no longer as rare as it once was. The term "Gu Xi" originally meant rare in ancient times, but now it has become outdated.

2. Age distinction in our society
According to the current regulations in our country, the retirement policy has been in place since 1982. It stipulates that men can retire at the age of 60, women (cadres) at 55, and workers at 50. Specialized workers can retire at the age of 45. The retirement age for department-level and higher-level cadres as well as various types of experts has been extended. The retirement age in many other countries is higher than in our country. Currently, our country has taken measures to delay the retirement age.


    After the establishment of New China, with the people taking the helm and society advancing, the average life expectancy of the Chinese people has now exceeded 70 years. In Chinese history, there are two prominent figures whose long lifespans have struck fear into the hearts of many. The first is Confucius, who lived to be 73. In his time, this was indeed a remarkable age. The second is Mencius, who was even sturdier than Confucius and lived to be 84, a true long-liver. Confucius and Mencius are considered the founders of Confucianism, and they were not only knowledgeable, but also had great expertise in the art of longevity. Many people, including myself as an atheist, have taboos about the ages of 73 and 84. Many people have nightmares about getting closer to the King of Hell at these ages. To be honest, many people frighten themselves to death.

In terms of the titles for different ages in a person's life:
- Under one year old - Infant
- 2~3 years old - Child
- 7-year-old girl - Tiaonian
- 8-year-old boy - Tiaolian
- General term for childhood - Zongjiao
- Under 10 years old - Huangkou, a term for children who have not yet shed their childishness
- 13~15 years old - Dancespoon
- 15~20 years old - Dancing Elephant
- 12-year-old girl - Golden Hairpin
- 13-year-old girl - Beanflower
- 15-year-old girl - Jiji
- 15-year-old boy - Zhixue
- 16-year-old girl - Bogu and Bixue, Twenty-eight
- 20-year-old girl - Taoli
- 24-year-old girl - Huaxin
- To get married - Meizhiniann
- Up to 30 years old (female) - Half-old Xu Niang
- 20-year-old boy - Strong and healthy
- 30-year-old man - Middle-aged
- Prime of life - Spring and Autumn
- 40-year-old man - Age of indecision, Age of strength
- Over 50 years old - Over fifty, Knowing non, Knowing fate, Wearing Ai, Great Yan
- 60 years old - Jia, Ping Touzij, Shun Ears, Zhangxiang, Returning history
- 70 years old - Old age, Stick country, For the sake of affairs, For the sake of politics, From the heart, Hanging car
- 80~90 years old - Elderly
- 90 years old - Back of the turtle
- 100 years old - Qiyi, also known as "renrui"


    According to an old saying, "At seventy, no overnight stay; at eighty, no meal; at ninety, no sitting." This cautionary advice serves as a reminder to be mindful of the needs and vulnerabilities of the elderly. It suggests that at the age of 70, it is unwise to let an elderly person stay overnight, but they can still join for a meal and then be sent home; at 80, it is not suitable for them to stay for a meal and they should be promptly sent home; at 90, even sitting down is not advisable and they should be urged to leave. In general, elderly individuals, especially those in their twilight years, are more susceptible to accidents and should therefore try to stay at home as much as possible. This is especially true for those who are 90 years old and older, as the saying goes, "they are already in a state where the boundaries between life and death are blurred," indicating that one must be cautious as life and death are unpredictable at that age. In essence, at 90, one is close to passing away, so one should be extra careful.

A recent blog post titled "At Eighty, No Meal; At Seventy, No Overnight Stay" highlighted the tragic passing of renowned director Xie Jin. He arrived at his hometown to attend his alma mater's centennial celebration, but unfortunately passed away from a sudden heart attack in his hotel room. Xie Jin, aged 85 at the time of his passing, certainly lived a long life, but his untimely death is a reminder of the fragility of life. It also raises the question of whether his alma mater was aware of the saying "at seventy, no meal; at eighty, no overnight stay." This serves as a lesson that such wisdom should not be taken lightly.

As elderly individuals, especially those in their seventies and eighties, it is important to be mindful of their vulnerability and be cautious. It is advisable for them to refrain from unnecessary outings, particularly those in poor health. It is important to exercise self-restraint and decline social engagements to ensure safety and well-being at home. This serves as a precautionary measure to manage risks and can be seen as a form of self-discipline.

It is said that "it is better to be safe than sorry," and this article serves as a reminder of this.


    In the international community, a population over the age of 60 accounting for 10% of the total population, or a population over the age of 65 accounting for 7% of the total population, is considered the standard for a country or region to enter an aging society.

The changes in China's population age structure indicate that with the rapid development of the economy and society, the significant improvement in people's living standards and healthcare, and the sustained low fertility rate, the aging process is gradually accelerating. By 2050, the total elderly population will exceed 400 million, and the level of aging will exceed 30%.

Currently, the total elderly population over the age of 60 in the world has reached 600 million, with over 60 countries having elderly populations reaching or exceeding 10% of the total population, entering the ranks of aging societies.

With the increase of the elderly population, the practice of setting the upper age limit at 70 for developing elderly sports is not in line with the development of society and does not meet the wishes of the elderly. In addition, many countries, including Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and several countries where boules activities are popular, do not impose age restrictions on some of their major events.

As time has changed and life expectancy has increased, this is something that many people are now aware of.

In 2024, as I approach the age of 70, I am reminded of an article I wrote in the past. After some searching, I was able to find it. The article, entitled "Thoughts on Seventy," was originally published on March 17, 2013. After some modifications, I am republishing it once again.

(Liu Huijun, January 1, 2024, Zhuozhou, Hebei)

门球狂人

完成了文章修改；发表到了深报APP; 使用Ai做了英文翻译。

一丁

顶起来，此帖有普遍意义

翔云

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