CONFUCIANISM

FOUR MAJOR SYMBOLS

OF CONFUCIANISM
Symbol of Confucius Symbol of Scholar

Symbol of Water Symbol of Yin and Yang

FOUR MAJOR SYMBOLS
OF CONFUCIANISM
Symbol of Confucius

This is considered as the main symbol

of Confucianism as it represents
Confucius, who is the central figure
of the religion.
FOUR MAJOR SYMBOLS
OF CONFUCIANISM
Symbol of Water

Water, which is one of the five elements

in Chinese philosophy, represents a
significant life source.
FOUR MAJOR SYMBOLS
OF CONFUCIANISM
Symbol of Scholar

This symbolizes knowledge and awareness

which are important aspects of Confucian
teachings. According to Confucius, learning
is endless and one can never have too
much knowledge.
FOUR MAJOR SYMBOLS
OF CONFUCIANISM
Symbol of Yin and Yang

The figure of the Yin and Yang represents a

whole divided into halves. It symbolizes
opposites, interactions and balance.
THE DEVELOPMENT
OF CONFUCIANISM
• Confucianism is both an ancient religion and a
philosophy in China. It is the country’s most
influential religion. It originated as a
philosophical system founded on the teachings
of Confucius which have been followed by 2500
years and have greatly influenced the moral,
social, cultural and political aspects of Chinese
life.
• Confucianism spread throughout East Asia,
particularly in Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
• The followers of this religion are called
CONFUCIANISTS.
THE DEVELOPMENT
OF CONFUCIANISM
• Confucius’ philosophy and teachings prescribe
ethics for human relationships concerning the
conduct of life in society.
• He was one of the first philosophers to think
about ethics in relation to political order.
• Its humanistic core revolves around social and
moral issues related to relationships in the
family, and in ruling the government and society.
SACRED TEXTS OF
CONFUCIANISM
• The canonical Confucian books written during
the ancient feudal period in China.
• Collectively form the foundation of Confucian
teachings.
• Subjects of these texts include history,
philosophy, socio-political issues, moral ethics,
education, culture, and other related fields.
• While the books are attributed to Confucius,
parts of the other books have already existed
even before his time and the main texts were
only written and compiled during the Han period.
It was during this period that Confucianism
became the official state philosophy in ancient
China.
SACRED TEXTS OF
CONFUCIANISM
Four Books Five Classics
THE FOUR BOOKS
1. Analects of Confucius
• Lunyu or Analects is a collection of passages
and sayings traditionally attributed to Confucius
and compiled by his followers.
• considered as the most revered sacred
scripttheures in the Confucian tradition and is
generally acknowledged as the most reliable
source of Confucian ideas and teachings.
• consists of 20 books which cover the practice of
moral virtues.
• This virtue finds expression in Analects 12:2;
“Never do to others what you would not like
them to do unto you.
THE FOUR BOOKS
2. Great Learning
• this is considered an introduction to
Confucianism. It was originally a chapter in the
Classic of rituals which is a collection of texts
that describe the social norms, administration
and ceremonial rites of the Zhou dynasty.
• short main texts attributed to Confucius and
nine commentary chapters by Zeng Zi, one of his
disciples.
THE FOUR BOOKS
3. Doctrine of the Mean
• another term is Zhongyong.
• Another chapter published in the Classic of
Rituals and attributed to Confucius’ grandson,
Zisi.
• composed of 33 chapters and discusses related
moral tenets of Confucianism that encompass
both the ruler and follower.
• these tenets are the perfection of one’s self by
following the “way,” the Five Relationships, and
the Golden Rule, among others.
THE FOUR BOOKS
4. The work of Mencius
• this book is attributed to Mencius, a
Chinese philosopher and a disciple of Zisi.
• It is a record of his travels and audience with the
various rulers of the warring states and military
men.
• Book discusses subjects related to moral and
political philosophy.
THE FIVE CLASSICS
The five Confucian classics are classified as primary
canonical texts which are believed to have either been
written or edited by Confucius.

1. The Book of Changes

• referred to as I Ching in Chinese, this pre Confucian
book of oracles and divination is the oldest of the
Five Classics.

• Contains commentaries and interpretations collected

over 2,500 years.
THE FIVE CLASSICS
2. The Book of History
• compilation of documents and events
concerning the great kings of China.
• Contains records of King’s speeches, their
accomplishments, and principles of governance
dating from the later Han Dynasty (23-220 CE).
THE FIVE CLASSICS
3. The Book of Poetry
• collection of 305 poems and songs on various
subjects such as love and courtship, affairs in
daily life, and war.
• Earliest known as collection of Chinese poems.
• Historians date this book back to the early Zhou
Dynasty (1046-256 BCE).
THE FIVE CLASSICS
4. The Book of Rites or the Book of Rituals
• consists of three books
• on the Li (rites of propriety) which include
ceremonies and social norms with
accompanying commentaries on them.
• Earliest and most complete record of social
norms and ceremonies in ancient China.
THE FIVE CLASSICS
5. Spring and Autumn Annals
• historical record of the state of Lu, Confucius
native state, (722 BCE – 481 BCE).
• Compiled by Confucius who condemned the
unlawful practice of seizure of power and rights.
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES
AND BELIEFS

• the different doctrines and beliefs of

Confucianism are not entirely the formal work of
Confucius. Rather, his teachings were
systematized much later by his disciples and
: Confucian philosophers such as Mencius.
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES
AND BELIEFS

Supreme Being
• In Chinese mythology, Tian is a key concept that
refers to heaven. During the Shang Dynasty, the
supreme heavenly deity was referred to as Shangdi.
: However, the name was replaced during the Zhou
Dysnasty when Tian became synonymous to this
supreme figure.
• Tian is believed to be the supreme ruler and creator
of the universe.
• Confucius regarded Tian as his personal god, a
higher power, an order and a law.
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES
AND BELIEFS
Mandate of Heaven:
• The mandate of heaven, or decree of heaven,
was an ancient Chinese belief that heaven
bestowed upon emperors a “mandate,” or the
power to rule, based on their capabilities and
:
sense of judgment.
• Heaven bestowed this power upon those who
were virtuous and morally upright.
• When an emperor failed heaven’s expectations,
the mandate would be taken away from him and
would be given to those who were most
deserving.
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES
AND BELIEFS
Human Nature as Inherently Good:
• Mencius proposed the view that humans are inherently
good.
• Man, however, can choose to neglect his good nature.
When an individual chooses to commit evil acts, he
violates his human nature.
• The actions of man, do not negate or remove his good
nature.
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES
AND BELIEFS
Human Nature as Originally “Evil”:
• Hsun-tze or Xunzi (298-238 BCE) was a Confucian
philosopher who disagreed with the view that humans are
inherently good.
• He believed humans are born “morally blind” and without
goodness.
• Humans, however, are able to learn to become good
through rituals and social norms.
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES
AND BELIEFS
Rectification of Names:
• This doctrine refers to the process of calling
things by their proper names.
• Confucius considered this as the foundation of
establishing order and harmony in reality.
• Concept was further expanded to address
social relationships, leaderships and
governance, and the use of standards in
determining both knowledge and morality.
• Rulers, for instance, should act in accordance
to their positions and titles and should set an
example for their followers.
CONFUCIAN DOCTRINES
AND BELIEFS

The Moral Way:

• Confucius believed that the practice of morality is the way to
fulfill the law of human nature.
• A moral life consists of following the law of the universe, because
the law of human nature is intrinsically connected to the rest of
universe.
• Confucian ethics revolves around living a moral life, as this is the
path to promote ideal social relations of justice, peace, and
harmony.
• To achieve these ideal social relations, Confucius emphasized
the need for intense enforcement of discipline and the practice of
the five cardinal virtues or the The Five Constants.
THE FIVE CONSTANTS
OF CONFUCIANISM:
• widely acknowledged as the most important
virtues in Chinese culture.
1. Rẻn
• which means happiness.
• The core virtue in Confucian ethics.
• It is the virtue of benevolence, love,
compassion and humanness towards
others.
THE FIVE CONSTANTS
OF CONFUCIANISM:
2. Li
• which means “ritual,” is the other central
concept in Confucian ethics.
• Serves as the guiding principles of social
discipline and cultured patterns of behavior.
THE FIVE CONSTANTS
OF CONFUCIANISM:
3. Yi
• translated as “righteousness,” is the moral
disposition to do good and the fortitude to
do one’s duty.
• Righteousness refers to preserving one’s
integrity, upholding what is just, and taking a
stand against immoral practices.
THE FIVE CONSTANTS
OF CONFUCIANISM:
4. Zhi
• which means “wisdom,” is the virtue that
uses one’s innate knowledge in
distinguishing what is right from wrong.
• Necessary in the practice of moral norms.
THE FIVE CONSTANTS
OF CONFUCIANISM:
5. Xin
• which means “honesty,” is the virtue of
fidelity to the truth.
• Person’s deeds should conform to his
words and his mind.
• To practice this virtue is to speak the truth
and not engage in deception or falsehood.
THE FIVE KEY
RELATIONSHIPS:
• Confucianism gives great significance to
relationships.
• Confucian virtues encompass the different
levels of association between individuals.
• These relationships are based on the virtue
of propriety and reciprocity.
THE FIVE KEY
RELATIONSHIPS:
1. Father and son/parents and children.
• This relationship is the most fundamental
human bond as it is based primarily on
reciprocal love as well as respect, propriety
and a sense of obligation.
• Confucius believed that devotion to one’s
parents and older siblings is the most basic
way to cultivate ren; that it is within the
family that children learn to be humane.
THE FIVE KEY
RELATIONSHIPS:

2. Husband and wife.

• Though the husband is considered to be
authority and the wife is subordinate to him,
the relationship between husband and wife
in the family is reciprocal.
THE FIVE KEY
RELATIONSHIPS:

3. Elder brother and younger brother.

• In this relationships, the elder brother
protects and takes care of his younger
brother.
• As the second father in the family, the elder
brother should impart the different virtues to
his younger brother through good example
and in return, the younger brother gives his
elder brother due respect and heeds his
advise.
THE FIVE KEY
RELATIONSHIPS:

3. Elder and junior friends.

• Peers should treat each other as brothers.
• In order to develop a brotherly kind of
friendship, the elder friend should be
considerate and trusting of the younger
friend.
• Could only be achieved if there is mutual
respect between them.
THE FIVE KEY
RELATIONSHIPS:

3. Ruler and subject

• Confucius believed that a good ruler is one
who governs his people with love.
• A good ruler also leads by example, rather
than by confrontation, coercion and
punishment.
• In return, the people should obey and
respect their ruler, as he is morally upright
and has the mandate of Heaven to govern.
OTHER CORE VIRTUES
AND BELIEFS IN
CONFUCIANISM.

Junzi liteally means a “son of a ruler,” a

“prince” or a “noble” or the “ideal gentleman.”
• This virtue describes the ideal person in
Confucian philosophy.
• One does not have to be of noble birth to be
considered a junzi or a gentleman. One
only needs to follow the moral way and
adhere to the five cardinal virtues of
Confucianism.
OTHER CORE VIRTUES
AND BELIEFS IN
CONFUCIANISM.

Filial piety or filial devotion.

• Refers to respect for and dedication to
one’s parents, ancestors and olders
siblings.
• Confucius considers filial piety as the
paramount example of harmonious social
order.
OTHER CORE VIRTUES
AND BELIEFS IN
CONFUCIANISM.

Ancestor worship.
• For Confucianism is a way of showing filial
piety through continuous devotion and
reverence to the spirits of departed
ancestors.
• Honors and worship their ancestors through
rituals and they offer prayers, burn incense,
and give food offerings.
• Seek guidance from their ancestors.
HOLY DAYS AND
CELEBRATIONS.
• Confucianists do not celebrate specific religious days.
• Most festivals they celebrate are either shared with
other religions such as Taoism, Buddhism and Shitoism,
in one form or another or are traditionally Chinese
celebrations.
• Confucianists and Chinese community commemorates
the birthday of Confucius.
• Usually celebrated during 27th day of the eighth lunar
month of the .Chinese calendar
Celebrated in different dates in different countries:
Taiwan – September 28 as “Teachers Day.”
Hongkong – third Sunday of September as “Confucius Day.”
OTHER CORE VIRTUES
AND BELIEFS IN
CONFUCIANISM.

Belief in an afterlife.
• Confucianism adheres to a belief in life after
death.
• This is the reason why Confucius put such
emphasis on living a moral and upright life.
The kind of life one will have after death will
depend on how once lived his or her life on
earth.
• After death, one is considered as an ancestor
to be worshipped.
CONFUCIANISM AND
GENDER INEQUALITY.

Confucius was born and grew up in a patriarchal

culture. Being traditionalist who found inspiration
and moral values from the traditional culture and
values of the past. He used this ancient
patriarchal culture as aa basis for addressing the
social, political and moral conflicts in his time.
Women are considered subservient to men, and
play subordinate roles to them. They cannot make
major decisions in the family nor can hold major
official positions.
CONFUCIANISM AND
AUTHORITARIANISM.

Authoritarianism is a dictatorial form of

government where the governing authority
exercises total control over its citizens.
ACTIVITY
List down a relationship in their lives which conforms to each
of the five key relationships in Confucianism. Create a table
identifying the people involved in each relationship, the
characteristics of each relationship, and how these
relationships benefitted them as a person.
QUIZ
How does Confucianism describe the ideal person or
“gentleman?” how does one become a “gentleman?”

Which of the five virtues should be encouraged among the

youth today? Why do you think so?
ASSIGNMENT
Research about a person whom you consider as an epitome
of a junji. Provide a brief description of him or her and
discuss how he/she exemplified the ideal qualities of a junji.