Apricot Platform in the Confucian Temple at Qufu.

A Temple of Confucius or Confucian Temple is a temple devoted to the cult of Confucius and the sages and philosophers of Confucianism. Confucian temples are variously known as Confucian Temples (孔廟 / 孔庙), Temples of Literature or Culture (文廟 / 文庙), or Temples of the Sage (聖廟 / 圣庙). Some are also known as "Fuzi Miao" (夫子廟 / 夫子庙), after Confucius's unLatinised Chinese name: "Kong Fuzi" (孔夫子 / 孔夫子) or "Master Kong". Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x1600, 623 KB)Photograph of the Apricot Platform in the central courtyard of the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong Province, China. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x1600, 623 KB)Photograph of the Apricot Platform in the central courtyard of the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong Province, China. ... The name Confucius is a Jesuit romanization of Kong Fuzi, literally meaning Master Kong. ... Confucianist temple Thian Hock Keng in Singapore. ...

History

The largest and oldest Temple of Confucius is found in Confucius's hometown, present-day Qufu in Shandong Province. It was established in 478 BCE, one year after Confucius's death, at the order of the Duke Ai of the State of Lu, who commanded that the Confucian residence should be used to worship and offer sacrifice to Confucius. The temple was expanded repeatedly over 2,000 years until it became the huge complex currently standing. Location within China Qufu (Chinese: 曲阜; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chü1-fu4) is a city in Shandong Province, China. ... Shandong (Simplified Chinese: 山东; Traditional Chinese: 山東; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Shan-tung) is a coastal province of eastern Peoples Republic of China. ... Centuries: 6th century BC - 5th century BC - 4th century BC Decades: 520s BC 510s BC 500s BC 490s BC 480s BC - 470s BC - 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC 430s BC 420s BC Years: 483 BC 482 BC 481 BC 480 BC 479 BC - 478 BC - 477 BC 476 BC... Lu ( Chinese: 魯國; pinyin: ) was an ancient state in China during the Spring and Autumn Period. ...

The development of state temples devoted to the cult of Confucius was an outcome of his gradual canonisation. In 195 BC, Han Gao Zu, founder of the Han dynasty (r. 206–195 BCE), offered a sacrifice to the spirit of Confucius at his tomb in Qufu. Sacrifices to the spirit of Confucius and that of Yan Hui, his most prominent disciple, began in the Imperial University (Biyong) as early as 241. ... // Han in China Han Chinese, the dominant majority ethnic group of mainland China The Chinese written language (漢文) The Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE) of China The state of Han, a state during the Chinese Warring States Period Han, one of the Chinese Sixteen Kingdoms, founded by the Liu family. ... Events Shapur I of Persia succeeds Ardashir I Births Deaths Ardashir I, first ruler of the Sassanids Categories: 241 ...

In 454, the first state Confucian temple was built by the Liu Song dynasty of south China (420 to 479). In 489, the Northern Wei constructed a Confucian temple in the capital, the first outside of Qufu in the north. In 630, the Tang dynasty decreed that schools in all provinces and counties should have a Confucian temple, as a result of which temples spread throughout China. Well-known Confucian shrines include the Confucian Temple in Xi'an (now the Forest of Steles), the Fuzi Miao in Nanjing, and the Confucian temple in Beijing, first built in 1302. Events September 21 - Roman Emperor Valentinian III assassinates Aëtius in his own throne room. ... 　 The Song Dynasty (宋朝, previous spelling Sung) (420-479) was first of the four Southern Dynasties in China, followed by the Qi Dynasty. ... // Events End of the Jin Dynasty in China. ... Events End of the Song Dynasty and beginning of the Qi Dynasty in southern China. ... Events Theoderic, king of the Italy with the approval of the eastern emperor Zeno. ... The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 386-534) is most noted for the unification of northern China in 440, it was also heavily involved in funding the arts and many antiques and art works from this period have survived. ... Tang could refer to: Tang Dynasty of China Tang (Shang dynasty ruler) Transliteration of Chinese family names such as 唐,湯,鄧,é‚“,滕 Tang Clan of Hong Kong, the first inhabitants to leave China and settle in Hong Kong. ... Nickname: Changan Motto: Official website: http://www. ... Stele Forest (碑林; pinyin: BÄ“ilín), aka Xian Stele Forest Museum or Xian Beilin Museum, is a museum for steles and stone sculptures which is located in Xian, China. ... Nanjing (Chinese: 南京; Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Nan-ching; Postal System Pinyin: Nanking), is the capital of Chinas Jiangsu Province and a city with a prominent place in Chinese history and culture. ... (help· info), a city in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ... Events July 11 - Battle of the Golden Spurs (Guldensporenslag in Dutch), major victory of Flanders over the French occupier. ...

In addition to Confucian temples associated with the state cult of Confucius, there were also ancestral temples belonging to the Kong lineage, buildings commemorating Confucius's deeds throughout China, and private temples within institutes of learning.

Structure

Most Confucianist temples were built in Confucian schools, either to the front of or on one side of the school. The front portal the temple was called the Lingxing Gate (棂星门). The temple's principal building was usually known as the Dacheng Hall (大成殿), variously translated as "Hall of Great Achievement", "Hall of Great Accomplishment", or "Hall of Great Perfection", where the Confucius Ancestral Tablet and those of other important masters and sages were kept and venerated. In front of the Dacheng Hall were the Apricot Pavilion and the Dacheng Gate (大成門 / 大成门). The Shrine of the Great Wise Man (Chongshengci 崇聖祠 / 崇圣祠) honoured the ancestors of Confucius.

Unlike Daoist or Buddhist temples, Confucian temples do not normally have images. In the early years of the temple in Qufu, it appears that the spirits of Confucius and his disciples were represented with wall paintings and clay or wooden statues. Official temples also contained images of Confucius himself. However, there was opposition to this practice, which was seen as imitative of Buddhist temples. It was also argued and that the point of the imperial temples was to honour Confucius's teachings, not the man himself.

The lack of unity in likenesses in statues of Confucius first led Emperor Taizu of the Ming dynasty to decree that all new Confucian temples should contain only memorial tablets and no images. In 1530, it was decided that all existing images of Confucius should be replaced with memorial tablets in imperial temples in the capital and other bureaucratic locations, a rule still followed today. However, statues remained in temples operated by Confucius's family descendants, such as that in Qufu. Taizu (Chinese: 太祖 grand ancestors) can be the name of the following Chinese emperors (or non-Chinese emperors of dynasties that later ruled over China): Emperor Taizu of Song China (reign: 960–976) Genghis Khan of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (reign: 1206-1227) Hongwu Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (reign... The Ming Dynasty (Chinese: 明朝; Pinyin: míng cháo) was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, though claims to the Ming throne (now collectively called the Southern Ming) survived until 1662. ...

Worship

The state cult of Confucius centred upon offering sacrifices to Confucius's spirit in the Confucian temple.

A dance known as the Eight-Row Dance, consisting of eight columns of eight dancers each, was also performed. Originally this was a Six-Row Dance, as performed for the lesser aristocracy, but in 1477 Confucius was allowed the imperial honour of the eight-row dance since he posthumously received the title of king.

In addition to worshipping Confucius, Confucian temples also honoured the "Four Correlates" (四配), the "Twelve Philosophers" (十二哲), and other disciples and Confucian scholars through history. The composition and number of figures worshipped changed and grew through time. Since temples were a statement of Confucian orthodoxy, the issue of which Confucians to enshrine was a controversial one.

By the Republican period (20th century), there were a total of 162 figures worshipped. The Four Correlates include Yan Hui, Zeng Shen, Kong Ji, and Mencius. The Twelve Philosophers are Min Zijian, Ran Boniu, Zhong Gong, Cai Wo, Zi-gong, Ran You, Zi-Lu, Zi-You, Zi-Xia, Zi-Zhang, You Ruo, and Zhu Xi. A list of disciples of Confucius and their place in the Confucian temple can be found at Disciples of Confucius. National motto: None Official language Mandarin Chinese Capital and largest city Taipei President Chen Shui-bian Vice President Annette Lu Premier Su Tseng-chang Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 138th 35,980 km² 2. ... Zengzi (曾子; also called Zeng Shen, 曾參; or Ziyu, 子輿) (505 BCE - 436 BCE) was a philosopher and student of Confucius. ... Mencius (most accepted dates: 372 BC – 289 BC; other possible dates: 385 BC – 303 BC or 302 BC) was born in the State of Zou (鄒國), now forming the territory of the county-level city of Zoucheng (邹城市), Shandong province, only 30 km (18 miles) south of Qufu, the town of Confucius. ... Zhu Xi or Chu Hsi (1130–1200) was a Song Dynasty (960-1279) Confucian scholar who became one of the most significant Neo-Confucians in China. ... Sima Qian makes Confucius say: The common saying is, that the disciples of the sage were three thousand, while among them there were seventy-two worthies. ...

Van Mieu, Vietnam

Image File history File linksMetadata Khuê_Văn_Các. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Khuê_Văn_Các. ... Van Mieu (Văn Miếu, 文廟) or Temple of Literature is a historic site situated in Hanoi, Vietnam. ...

Confucian temples outside China

With the spread of Confucian learning throughout East Asia, Confucian temples were also built in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. Starting in the 18th century, some were even built in Europe and the Americas. At their height, there are estimated to have been over 3,000 Confucian temples in existence. Note: This article contains special characters. ...

The earliest recorded Confucian Temple in Vietnam is the Temple of Literature or Van Mieu in Hanoi, established in 1070. After 1397, with the construction of schools throughout Vietnam under the Tran, Confucian temples began to spread throughout the country. Well known Confucian temples were built in Hue, Hoi An, Hai Duong, and An Ninh. Van Mieu (Văn Miếu, 文廟) or Temple of Literature is a historic site situated in Hanoi, Vietnam. ... Tran is the name of a computer programmer who was a member of the American demoscene group, Renaissance. ... Huế (顺化 in Chineses) is the former modern capital of Vietnam. ... Japanese bridge - The symbol of Hoi An Triều Châu Assembly Hall Hội An is a small town on the coast of South China Sea in central Vietnam. ... Hai Duong is a city in Vietnam. ...

Apart from China, the largest number of Confucian temples is found in Korea. Temples were first built during the Goryeo period. In the time of Yi Seonggye, it was decreed that Confucian temples should be built in all areas of the nation. Although Chinese models were followed, variations in layout and construction were common, such as the building of schools in front of temples. Korea also added its own scholars (the eighteen scholars of the East) to the Confucian pantheon. The state of Goryeo ruled Korea from the fall of Silla in 935 until the founding of Joseon in 1392. ... King Taejo of Joseon (original name Yi Seong-gye, 이성계(李成桂) was the founder and the first king of Koreas Joseon Dynasty. ...

Historically, Korea had a total of 362 temples devoted to the cult of Confucius. After World War II and the division of the country, those in the north were converted to other uses. However, many of the 232 temples in the south continued their activities. In addition to temples devoted to the cult of Confucius, the Republic of Korea also has twelve Confucian family temples, two temples in private schools, and three libraries. Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 8 million military deaths {{{notes}}} World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a military conflict that took place between 1939 and 1945. ...

Confucian temples (孔子廟 kōshi-byō) were also widely built in Japan, often in conjunction with Confucian schools. The most famous is the Yushima Seido, built in 1630 during the Edo period as a private school connected with the Neo-Confucianist scholar Hayashi Razan. Originally built in Shinobi-ga-oka in Ueno, it was later moved to Yushima (Ochanomizu) by the Tokugawa Shogunate and reopened as a school of Confucianism to spread the teachings of the Hayashi school. Events February 22 - Native American Quadequine introduces Popcorn to English colonists. ... Hayashi Razan (1583-1657) was a Japanese Neo-Confucianist philosopher, serving as an advisor to the first three shoguns of the Tokugawa bakufu. ... Ueno can mean: a city in Mie prefecture: Ueno, Mie an historical village in Kumamoto prefecture: Ueno, Kumamoto a village in Okinawa: Ueno, Okinawa a district of Taito, Tokyo: Ueno, Tokyo Ueno city in Kumamoto prefecture was the site of the last major battle of the Japanese Civil War. ... Ochanomizu (御茶ノ水) is a neighborhood in Tokyo, Japan. ...

Other well known Confucian temples are found in Nagasaki, Bizen (Okayama prefecture), Taku (Saga prefecture), and Naha (Okinawa prefecture). Megane-bashi (Spectacles Bridge) Nagasaki (help· info) (長崎市; -shi, literally long peninsula) is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture. ... Bizen (備前市; -shi) is a city located in Okayama, Japan. ... Okayama Prefecture (岡山県; Okayama-ken) is located in the Chugoku region on Honshu island, Japan. ... Taku (多久市; -shi) is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. ... Saga Prefecture (佐賀県; Saga-ken) is located on Kyushu island, Japan. ... Naha (那覇市; -shi) is the capital city of 沖縄県 Okinawa Prefecture (Okinawan Uchinā) in Japan. ... Okinawa Prefecture (Japanese 沖縄県; Okinawan Uchinā) is Japans southernmost prefecture, and consists of hundreds of islands known as The RyÅ«kyÅ« Islands or RyÅ«kyÅ«s, in an island chain over 1,000 km long, which extends southwest from KyÅ«shÅ« (the southwesternmost of Japans main four islands) to...

External links

Images of the Temple of Culture