As a youngster, he lived in a period of great turmoil and much hardship due to floods. His parents told him stories of filial piety and loyalty and patriotism.
岳飛生長的北宋末年，天災人禍頻仍，既遭黃河決堤，造成家破人亡、饑民遍地的災難；又逢天下大亂，盜賊四處燒殺擄掠，人民生活非常困苦。