Confucian
Ancient Chinese philosophical
Relating to Confucius or Confucianism, the Chinese philosophical tradition emphasizing moral cultivation, hierarchical relationships, and social harmony.
Confucian ideals stress filial piety, education, and virtuous leadership: Confucian scholars, Confucian principles shaped imperial China.
As a noun, a Confucian is an adherent of these teachings.
The philosophy continues to influence East Asian societies and ethics discussions worldwide. (Lowercase confucian sometimes appears in informal usage.)
Classical Chinese wisdom text
- MenciusClassical Confucian thinker
- Mandate of HeavenHeaven-granted authority to rule
- I ChingChinese divination classic
- LiBattery metal symbol
Disposition toward doing good
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- filial pietyRespect owed to parents
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- humanenessBenevolent, merciful disposition
propriety · loyalty · integrity · sincerity · reciprocity · duty · respect · morality
Religious honoring of forebears
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- rites of passageCeremonies marking major transitions
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- offeringSomething presented or given
incense · mourning · etiquette · protocol · temple · libation · kowtow · funeral rites
Learned, studious person
- classicsWorks of lasting value
- academyInstitution of learning
- literacyAbility to read, write
- pedagogyArt of instruction
mentorship · calligraphy · recitation · memorization · moral instruction · teacher · student
Structured arrangement of community
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- stabilityResistance to displacement
cooperation · consensus · accord · cosmic order · reciprocity · interdependence · family harmony · equilibrium
Analects
Classical Chinese wisdom text
- MenciusClassical Confucian thinker
- Mandate of HeavenHeaven-granted authority to rule
- I ChingChinese divination classic
Li · Four Books
benevolence
Disposition toward doing good
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- filial pietyRespect owed to parents
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
humaneness · propriety · loyalty · integrity · sincerity · reciprocity · duty · respect · morality · rectitude
ancestor worship
Religious honoring of forebears
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- rites of passageCeremonies marking major transitions
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
offering · incense · mourning · etiquette · protocol · temple · libation · kowtow · funeral rites · coming-of-age
scholar
Learned, studious person
pedagogy · mentorship · calligraphy · recitation · memorization · moral instruction · teacher · student
social order
Structured arrangement of community
stability · cooperation · consensus · accord · cosmic order · reciprocity · interdependence · family harmony · equilibrium · concord
- FaithsChristians, Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews
- religionsChristianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism
- believersbeliever, believers, adherent, devotee, theist
- thinkersthinkers, thinker, philosophers, philosopher, Aristotle
ConfucianTaoist
Follower of Chinese philosophy
Daoist · Buddhist · Zen · mystical · naturalistic
Confuciananarchist
One opposing all governance
revolutionary · egalitarian · individualist · libertarian · Maoist
Confucianauthoritarian
Favoring absolute control
punitive · amoral · Machiavellian · hedonist · nihilist
- Confucian academiesSchools teaching ancient Chinese philosophy
- Confucian valuesPhilosophy emphasizing respect, hierarchy