Three Social Ties is the Ethical and social concept in Confucianism. "Tam" is three and "cương" is a main string in a net and by association, that which is fundamental in an organizational structure. The three principal social relationships which are regarded by feudalism as fundamental are monarch-subject (quân thần), father-child (phụ tử), husband-wife (phu phụ).
Symbolizing natural order, these three social relationships go in parallel with the five cardinal virtues (ngũ thường), hence the term "cương thường" which constitute the political and moral foundation of the feudal regime.
