The motto of Yunnan University is "self-respect, knowledge, justice and practice", which was 94 years ago. During 1923, Tang, the founder of Donglu University, the predecessor of Yunnan University, personally decided the school motto at the opening ceremony.
Over the past hundred years, the expression of the motto of Yunnan University still insists on inheriting the motto of "self-respect, knowledge, justice and practice" in Tang Dynasty. This eight-character school motto has the tradition and cultural accumulation of Dayun, as well as the school-running concept and code of conduct.
Tang made a detailed comment on four four-character poems of his eight-character school motto in Preface to the School Motto of Donglu University. In this eight-character school motto, "self-esteem" refers to mentality, "seeking knowledge", "righteousness" refers to morality, and "doing" seeks practice.
Motto is the law of the school, a high summary of the school-running concept and educational requirements, and the core of school spirit, study style and teaching style.
From the previous Donglu University to today's Yunnan University, the motto of Yunnan University has changed several times: 1937. After President Xiong Qinglai presided over Yunnan University, he was determined to be "sincere, honest, sensitive and resolute"; In the 1990s, the school also defined its motto as "establishing first-class character, seeking first-class knowledge and becoming a first-class career"; For a long time, people seem to forget that a university should have its own motto.
However, today's Master Yun has returned to the original point, brushed away the historical dust covering the motto of the Tang Dynasty, re-appreciated its deep cultural charm, and once again showed it as the motto.
Nowadays, the cultivation of "self-respect, knowledge, righteousness and action" has penetrated into the 90-year history of the teacher, and continues to nourish the hearts of the students and sharpen the personality and quality of Master Yun.