It is widely recognized that Confucius stands as the most influential cultural figure in

Chinese history, with Confucius temples1 serving as primary venues for honoring him. The

most authentic Confucius Temple is situated in Qufu (曲阜), which also represents the

earliest example of the integration of educational institutions with temples, giving rise to what

later became known as the “temple-and-school” system. Consequently, to explore the

historical evolution of the Confucius temples across different dynasties and to conduct an in

depth examination of the temple-school system, it is essential to prioritize the study on the

Qufu Confucius Temple, positioning it as the cornerstone in the series of temple-school

studies.

Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1

01 > The Qufu Confucius Temple and Its Historical Development ..................................9

Names and Categories of Confucius Temples Throughout History............................. 11

Names of Confucius Temples............................................................................. 11

Categories of Confucius Temples ....................................................................... 13

The Nature of Confucius Temples ...................................................................... 24

Historical Development of the Qufu Confucius Temple.............................................. 27

Initial Construction Phase (478 BC–AD 666)................................................... 27

Expansion Phase (666–1336)............................................................................ 31

Formation Phase (1336–1912) .......................................................................... 42

Maintenance Phase (1912–present)................................................................... 53

Current Appearance of the Qufu Confucius Temple........................................... 56

02 > Architectural Characteristics, Spatial Layout, and Cultural Implications of the

Qufu Confucius Temple ......................................................................................................67

Overview of the Architectural Art of the Qufu Confucius Temple.............................. 69

Prominent Characteristics of Confucianism........................................................ 69

Strong Imperial Political Undertones.................................................................. 70

Overall Appearance and Spatial Layout of the Architecture of the Qufu Confucius

Temple.......................................................................................................................... 73

Overall Appearance of the Qufu Confucius Temple........................................... 73

Spatial Layout of the Qufu Confucius Temple.................................................... 76

Artistic Characteristics and Cultural Connotations of the Architecture of the Qufu

Confucius Temple ........................................................................................................ 88

Artistic Characteristics of the Architecture of the Qufu Confucius Temple ....... 88

Cultural Connotations of the Architecture of the Qufu Confucius Temple......... 91

Educational Value of the Architecture of the Qufu Confucius Temple ..................... 107

Traditional Cultural Education Value of the Qufu Confucius Temple.............. 107

Aesthetic Education Value of the Architecture of the Qufu Confucius Temple108

Moral Education Value of the Architecture of the Qufu Confucius Temple .... 109

The Relationship between the Architecture of the Qufu Confucius Temple and

Government-Run Education, as well as Sacrificial Rites........................................... 111