Codex of FaithsAn illustrated atlas of belief

Confucianism and Daoism compared

Confucianism and Daoism side by side: where each began, what they teach, their scriptures, holy days and symbols, and the beliefs and practices they share.

Confucianism took shape in the state of Lu, in northern China (6th–5th century BCE); Daoism in China (ideas from the 4th century BCE; organised religion from the 2nd century CE). Of the 24 broad features compared here, they share 4: honouring ancestors, a written scripture, images in worship and divination. Only Confucianism: a founder or prophet. Only Daoism: many gods or spirits, monks and nuns, priests, pilgrimage and sacred nature.

ConfucianismDaoismBOTH A founder or prophetDivinationA written scriptureHonouring ancestorsImages in worshipPilgrimageMonks and nunsMany gods or spiritsSacred naturePriests
Broad features only: every tradition holds great variety, and not every follower shares every feature.

Confucianism only

  • A founder or prophet

Both

  • Honouring ancestors
  • A written scripture
  • Images in worship
  • Divination

Daoism only

  • Many gods or spirits
  • Monks and nuns
  • Priests
  • Pilgrimage
  • Sacred nature

Side by side

Confucianism Daoism
Where it beganThe state of Lu, in northern ChinaChina
When6th–5th century BCEIdeas from the 4th century BCE; organised religion from the 2nd century CE
Founders and key figuresConfucius (Kong Fuzi, 551–479 BCE), who saw himself as a transmitter of ancient wisdom, not an innovatorLaozi, the legendary author of the Daodejing, revered as a deity; Zhang Daoling founded the first Daoist church in 142 CE
Followers today——
At the heart of itThe five constants: Ren, humaneness, Yi, righteousness, Li, ritual propriety, Zhi, wisdom, Xin, trustworthinessThe Dao: The Way, beyond all names, Yin and yang in balance, Qi, the breath of life, Wu wei, effortless action
ScripturesThe Analects; The Five Classics; The Four BooksDaodejing; Zhuangzi; The Daozang
Main branchesHan ConfucianismCelestial Masters, Quanzhen
Holy daysLunar New Year, Qingming, Seokjeon Daeje, Teachers’ Day, Mid-Autumn FestivalChinese New Year, Shangyuan, Qingming, Zhongyuan, Xiayuan, Mid-Autumn Festival
SymbolsRu, Ancestor tablet, Jade bi discYin and yang, Bagua, Gourd

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