Temple of Confucius

A Confucian temple is a site dedicated to honoring Confucius and the key figures of Confucianism, as practiced in Chinese folk religion and other East Asian traditions. In the past, these temples served as centers for administering imperial examinations across China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, and they frequently contained schools and study spaces.

These structures go by many names in East Asia. The two most famous, located in Qufu and Beijing, are called "Temples of Confucius" in Chinese. Elsewhere, they are known as "Temples of Literature" or "Temples of the Sage of Literature." In southern China, however, temples with the latter name typically honor Wenchang Wang, a different deity linked to the scholar Zhang Yazi. In Japan, they are usually referred to as "Temples" or "Halls of the Sage."

The creation of state-sponsored Confucian temples resulted from Confucius's gradual canonization. In 195 BC, Han Gao Zu, the founder of the Han dynasty, made an offering to Confucius's spirit at his tomb in Qufu. Sacrifices to Confucius and his disciple Yan Hui began at the Imperial University as early as 241. The Liu Song dynasty built a prominent state Confucian temple in 454, and the Northern Wei constructed one in the capital in 489, the first outside Qufu in the north. In 630, the Tang dynasty ordered that all provincial and county schools include a Confucian temple, leading to their spread across China. Notable shrines include those in Jianshui, Xi'an (now the Forest of Steles), Nanjing, and Beijing (first built in 1302). The temple in old Tianjin, covering 32 acres, is the largest surviving traditional architectural complex there. The oldest and largest temple is in Qufu, Confucius's hometown, established in 479 BC by order of Duke Ai of Lu, who commanded that Confucius's residence be used for worship. It expanded over 2,000 years into its current vast complex. Another temple exists in Quzhou. Beyond state temples, there were also ancestral temples of the Kong lineage, buildings commemorating Confucius's deeds, and private temples within academies.

From the Tang dynasty onward, Confucian temples were built at prefectural and county schools, either in front of or beside the school. The front gate is called the Lingxing Gate. Inside, there are typically three courtyards, though sometimes only two; the Qufu complex has nine, with many steles marking imperial visits or grants of noble titles. The main building, entered via the Dachengmen, is the Dachengdian, or "Hall of Great Achievement." In imperial times, it housed the spirit tablets of Confucius and other sages and worthies. In front of this hall in Qufu is the Apricot Pavilion. Behind the main building is the Shrine of Adoring the Sage, honoring Confucius's ancestors and the fathers of key disciples.

Unlike Taoist or Buddhist temples, Confucian temples usually lack images. Early on, the Qufu temple used wall paintings and clay or wooden statues to represent Confucius and his disciples, and official temples contained images of Confucius. However, opposition arose, viewing this as imitating Buddhist temples and arguing that the focus should be on Confucius's teachings, not his person. The lack of consistent likenesses led Ming Emperor Taizu to decree that new temples should have only spirit tablets. In 1530, it was ordered that all existing images in imperial temples be replaced with tablets, though many modern temples still feature statues. Statues also remained in temples run by Confucius's descendants, such as the one in Qufu. The use of tablets reflects Confucian values emphasizing respect, moral cultivation, and remembrance over visual representation.

Worship centered on offering sacrifices to Confucius's spirit. A dance called the Eight-Row Dance, with eight columns of eight dancers, was performed. Originally a Six-Row Dance for lesser aristocracy, it was upgraded to eight rows in 1477 after Confucius was posthumously granted the title of king. Musicians accompanied this dance with a form of music called yayue. Besides honoring Confucius, these temples also venerated other sages and worthies.