Confucianism

K'ung Fu Tzu (Confucius) was born in 551 BCE in the state of Lu in China. He traveled throughout China giving advice to its rulers and teaching. His teachings and writings dealt with individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power. He stressed the following values:

• Li: ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc.
• Hsiao: love among family members
• Yi: righteousness
• Xin: honesty and trustworthiness
• Jen: benevolence towards others; the highest Confucian virtue
• Chung: loyalty to the state, etc.

Unlike most religions, Confucianism is primarily an ethical system with rituals at important times during one's lifetime. The most important periods recognized in the Confucian tradition are birth, reaching maturity, marriage, and death.

Unique among the great religions of the world, Confucianism has no standard universally recognized symbol similar to the Christian cross, the Islamic crescent moon & star, the Wiccan pentagram, etc.

This is an ideogram for water that is often used to represent Confucianism. It represents the source of life in Chinese philosophy.

This is a symbol often used in wedding ceremonies within the Chinese culture. It is also sometimes used to represent Confucianism. It means total harmony, righteousness, in your own life and in your relationships with others.

The yin-yamg symbol of Taoism is also sometimes used as a symbol for Confucianism. It symbolizes balance in nature between opposing forces. Unbalance can lead to confusion and dissaray.

source:  www.religioustolerance.org › World religions