Abstract
The rites of Confucian Temples are a collective Symbol, or are consisted of a semiotic system of symbols. The rites of Confucian Temples had, through two thousand years of its history, accrued and generated additional meaning and function to incorporate to the imperial system; I call this symbolic reproduction and expansion. Previously, the focus of my research in Confucian Temples is on their origin, with special emphasis given to the interaction between Confucian scholars and secular rulers. This text shifts the level of my focus to the institutional, with close attention on the dynamic changes that occurred in the institutions of the Cult of Confucius through historical time. Although the rites performed in Confucian Temples varied according to geographical and temporal location, as a whole they functioned in harmony with the imperial system of rites. The expansion and glorification of the Cult of Confucius and Confucian Temples is observed both in the administration of the central imperial court and local governments. Occupying the sacred spaces of the state religion, Confucian Temples display a spatial and theological exclusiveness that is characteristic of an official religion, fully distinguishing the Cult of Confucius from folk religions.
Keywords
Confucius, Confucian Temples, Confucius’ descendants, Confucianism, Three Teachings (Three Religions)
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