Rituals, Ancestral Rites, and Confucian Temple Practices in Late Imperial China (Ming–Qing, 1368–1912)

1. Ming dynasty restores Confucian ritual governance

   Jan 1, 1368Labels: Ming court, Wenmiao, Local governments

   • Britannica
   • Temple overview

2. Hongwu-era expansion of local Confucian temples

   Jan 1, 1369Labels: Hongwu era, Local wenmiao, Government schools

   • Temple overview
   • Jinan temple

3. Qufu temple rebuilt in Ming palace style

   Jan 1, 1499Labels: Qufu Temple, Imperial palace, Temple architecture

   • UNESCO Qufu
   • Qufu temple

4. Jiajing reforms replace images with spirit tablets

   Jan 1, 1530Labels: Jiajing Emperor, Spirit tablets, Ritual reform

   • Jiajing Emperor
   • Xu Jie

5. Confucius worship tied to Ming–Qing examinations

   Jan 1, 1600Labels: Civil examinations, Confucian temples, Students

   • Britannica exams
   • Eight legged

6. Qing promotes Confucian morality through the Sacred Edict

   Jan 1, 1670Labels: Kangxi Emperor, Sacred Edict, Local communities

   • Sacred Edict

7. Kangxi visits Qufu to honor Confucius

   Jan 1, 1684Labels: Kangxi Emperor, Qufu pilgrimage, Imperial legitimacy

   • Duke Yansheng
   • OCAC News

8. Yongzheng amplifies the Sacred Edict for public instruction

   Jan 1, 1724Labels: Yongzheng Emperor, Amplified Instructions, Public instruction

   • Sacred Edict
   • China Heritage

9. Qufu’s main hall rebuilt after a major fire

   Jan 1, 1730Labels: Qufu Temple, Main hall, Restoration

   • Qufu temple
   • UNESCO Qufu

10. Qianlong performs offerings at Chengde’s Wenmiao

    Jul 7, 1779Labels: Qianlong Emperor, Chengde Wenmiao, Imperial offerings

    • Kenyon Wenmiao

11. Late Qing reforms end the civil service examinations

    Sep 1, 1905Labels: Late Qing, Examination abolition, Educational reform

    • Britannica exams
    • ChiCulture

12. Abdication of the last Qing emperor ends imperial rites

    Feb 12, 1912Labels: Abdication 1912, Last Qing, Imperial rites

    • Abdication Edict
    • Britannica exams