Confucius (spirit)
ancestor earth China single tradition · 1
Confucius is venerated after death as a spirit that resides on spirit-tablets and receives sacrifices, treated as if present and capable of communicating with the living. Imperial rites in China involved offering gifts before his spirit-tablet, invoking his sage wisdom as equal to heaven and earth.
When
- First attested
- 500 BCE
- Attested period
- 500 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Confucius (551–479 BCE) became a deified ancestor figure in state rituals of imperial China.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Ancestor spirits
Mentioned by
Sources
encyclopedia (1)
- peer reviewed
Source passages
“He greets the sage’s spirit with this prayer:—“This year, in this month, on this day, I, the emperor, offer sacrifice to the philosopher K’ung, the ancient teacher, the perfect sage…”
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