Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Confucianism
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Confucius Confucius Mencius Zhu Xi
For Students
Confucius
Confucianism summary
Quizzes
Statue of Confucius in Beijing, China
Confucianism
Related Questions
Read Next
The Chinese philosopher Confucius (Koshi) in conversation with a little boy in front of him. Artist: Yashima Gakutei. 1829
The Axial Age: 5 Fast Facts
Confucius statue at a Confucian Temple in Shanghai, China. Confucianism religion
What is the Difference Between Daoism and Confucianism?
Discover
Berries and leaves of the bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) plant. Poisonous plant
7 of the World’s Deadliest Plants
Amendments 1-10 to the Constitution of the United States constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights on an American flag.
What Is the Emoluments Clause?
Figure 13: A Maxim machine gun, belt-fed and water-cooled, operated by German infantrymen, World War I.
7 Deadliest Weapons in History
Portrait of a mountain gorilla at a short distance. gorilla close up portrait.The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Falling Stars: 10 of the Most Famous Endangered Species
Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"
How Deadly Is Quicksand?
Aspirin pills.
7 Drugs that Changed the World
Periodical Cicada, Adult, Magicicada spp. Requires 17 years to complete development. Nymph splits its skin, and transforms into an adult. Feeds on sap of tree roots. Northern Illinois Brood. This brood is the largest emergence of cicadas anywhere
Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Only Every 17 Years?

Confucianism: Facts & Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/Confucianism
Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Did You Know?

  • Although Confucius presented the family as the foundation of society, he was divorced from his wife and lived with his students.
  • Confucius lived in a time of warring Chinese feudal states. His doctrine focused on reestablishing peace and order through virtue which he hoped would lead to prosperity.
  • During the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huan from 259-210 BCE, Confucianism was banned, texts were burned, and hundreds of Confucian intellectuals were killed.

Photos

Confucius
Confucius
Mencius
Zhu Xi
See All Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Confucius
Confucius
Chinese philosopher
Xunzi
Xunzi
Chinese philosopher
Chu Hsi, ink on paper, by an unknown artist; in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
Zhu Xi
Chinese philosopher
Mencius
Mencius
Chinese philosopher
Kang Youwei, 1905
Kang Youwei
Chinese scholar
Wang Yangming
Chinese philosopher
Wudi
emperor of Han dynasty
Yamaga Sokō
Japanese military strategist
Dong Zhongshu
Chinese scholar
Zhou Dunyi
Chinese philosopher
Yan Yuan
Chinese philosopher
Liang Shuming
Chinese philosopher
Taishi Shōtoku: ink drawing
Taishi Shōtoku
Japanese regent and author
Hayashi Razan
Japanese scholar
Shao Yong
Chinese philosopher
Cheng Yi
Chinese philosopher
Zisi
Chinese philosopher
Zhang Zai
Chinese philosopher
Xu Heng
Chinese scholar
Cheng Hao
Chinese philosopher

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
Statue of Confucius in Beijing, China
Confucianism
List
The Chinese philosopher Confucius (Koshi) in conversation with a little boy in front of him. Artist: Yashima Gakutei. 1829
The Axial Age: 5 Fast Facts
Demystified
Confucius statue at a Confucian Temple in Shanghai, China. Confucianism religion
What is the Difference Between Daoism and Confucianism?