• Kong Fuzi, also known as Confucius is believed to be the founder of Confucianism. 
• Kong Fuzi was alive during 551 to 479 B.C.E. 

• Confucianism spread throughout China and other parts of Asia such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. 

• Confucianists believe people are naturally good and should concentrate on improving their behavior and doing what they know is right. This idea is known as proper behavior.
• Confucianism teaches that a harmonious society has to be built upon Five Key Relationships in which the first four require each person to respect, follow, and obey their superior so long as the superior sets a good example or moral behavior. Within the last relationship, all people are considered equal. 
• Confucianists believe society is made up of four unequal relationships and one equal relationship.
• The Five Key Relationships are:
• 1. father superior to the son 
• 2. husband superior to the wife
• 3. older brother superior to the younger brother
• 4. ruler superior to the subject 
• 5. friend to friend: (This is the only equal relationship) 
• Confucianists focus on achieving ren, which is human-heartedness, benevolence, goodness, nobility heart
• How one achieves ren is through personal reflection, education, and the willingness to strive continuously to perfect your moral character
• A key Confucianist belief is filial piety, which is honoring and respecting your parents, elders, and ancestors.  
• Confucianists believe a harmonious family shapes a harmonious state, and that one should put community first 
• Filial piety also means the willingness to work and respect the social hierarchy.

• Women were considered to be at the bottom of the Confucian hierarchy. 

• The Han dynasty adopted this belief system and because of their emphasis on loyalty, Confucian teachings allowed the Han government to have a more stable leadership.
• Government officials were chosen based on their education in Confucian teachings and performance on examinations to determine their worthiness.
• However, these exams required a great amount of knowledge and education which could only really be gained by the wealthy so only wealthy people, or those higher up on the social period could serve as officials across China. 

• Yin = dark, moist, soft, cold, weakness, and feminine
• Yang = light, strength, dry, hard, warm, and masculine
• Confucianists believe everything in the universe has yin and yang qualities
• The goal is to keep these two aspects of life in balance so that harmony can be achieved.