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76-452: The mansion is located immediately to the east of the Temple of Confucius to which it had been formerly connected. The layout of the mansion is traditionally Chinese and separates official spaces in the style of a Yamen in the front of the complex from the residential quarters in the rear. Besides the yamen and the inner quarters, the complex also contains an eastern and a western study as well as

152-589: A Central Secretariat that functioned similarly to the Song institution, but the paperwork was done by academicians rather than professional drafters. The Right Chancellor of the Central Secretariat ( shangshu you chengxiang 尚書右丞相) was subordinate to the Grand Chancellor. Emperor Wanyan Liang (r. 1149–1160) abolished the institution. The Mongol dominated Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) made the Central Secretariat

228-626: A Director ( zhongshu ling 中書令). Although lower in rank than the Department of State Affairs, the personnel of the Central Secretariat worked closer to the emperor and were responsible for drafting edits, and therefore their content. Under the Wei, the Central Secretariat was also in charge of the palace library, but this responsibility was terminated during the Jin dynasty (266–420) . In the Northern and Southern dynasties ,

304-528: A Vice Director ( zhongshu puye 中書仆射). These two posts came to assert significant political influence on the court, causing eunuchs to be forbidden from holding these posts by the end of the Western Han dynasty . This institution continued after the end of the Han dynasty into Cao Wei and it was Emperor Wen of Wei who formally created the Central Secretariat, headed by a Secretariat Supervisor ( zhongshu jian 中書監) and

380-506: A back garden. Within this overall arrangement, the spatial distribution of the buildings according to the seniority, gender, and status of their inhabitants reflects the Confucian principle of order and hierarchy: The most senior descendant of Confucius took up residence in the central of the three main buildings; his younger brother occupied the Yi Gun hall to the east. The eastern study was used by

456-524: A small number of mostly female servants. Trespassing into the inner compound was punishable by death. Drinking water had to be delivered through a trough in the wall. On the internal ghost wall behind this entrance is a painting of a "tan" (tān), a mythical animal representing greed. Although the tan already has the Eight Treasures (associated with the Eight Immortals , it is still attempting to swallow

532-547: A successful war. In total, 12 different emperors paid 20 personal visits to Qufu to worship Confucius. About 100 others sent their deputies for 196 official visits. The original three-room house of Confucius was removed from the temple complex during a rebuilding undertaken in 611 AD. In 1012 and in 1094, during the Song dynasty , the temple was extended into a design with three sections and four courtyards, around which eventually more than 400 rooms were arranged. Fire and vandalism destroyed

608-487: A supervising secretary ( jishizhong ), took over their work in the Chancellery. The position of supervising secretary originated in the Department of State Affairs, from where they were transferred to the Chancellery in the early Tang period. They were responsible for studying the drafts of memorials and implementing corrections before they were presented to the emperor. The Chancellery began to decline in significance during

684-724: A total of 460 rooms. Because the last major redesign following the fire in 1499 took place shortly after the building of the Forbidden City in the Ming dynasty , the architecture of the Temple of Confucius resembles that of the Forbidden City in many ways. The main part of the temple consists of nine courtyards arranged on a central axis, which is oriented in the north–south direction and is 1.3  km in length. The first three courtyards have small gates and are planted with tall pine trees, they serve an introductory function. The first (southernmost) gate

760-679: Is a 72-meter-tall statue of Confucius made of brass and reinforced with steel. Qufu, Shandong province, is the birthplace of the ancient Chinese educator and philosopher. Within two years after the death of Confucius, his former house in Qufu was already consecrated as a temple by the Duke of Lu . In 205 BC, Emperor Gao of the Han dynasty was the first emperor to offer sacrifices to the memory of Confucius in Qufu. He set an example for many emperors and high officials to follow. Later, emperors would visit Qufu after their enthronement or on important occasions such as

836-502: Is named "Lingxing Gate" ( 欞星門 ) after a star in the Great Bear constellation, the name suggests that Confucius is a star from heaven. The buildings in the remaining courtyards form the heart of the complex. They are impressive structures with yellow roof-tiles (otherwise reserved for the emperor) and red-painted walls, they are surrounded by dark-green pine trees to create a color contrast with complementary colors . The main structures of

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912-624: The Hongwu Emperor became suspicious of the chancellor Hu Weiyong and executed him in 1380. The Central Secretariat was also abolished and its functions delegated to the Hanlin Academy and Grand Secretariat . The Chancellery was originally the Court of Attendants in the Han dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD), which oversaw all palace attendants. It was not until the Cao Wei and Jin dynasty (266–420) era that

988-515: The Kangxi , Yongzheng and Qianlong eras of the Qing dynasty (between Kangxi 22 and Qianlong 13, i.e. A.D. 1683–1748). These imperial stelae stand 3.8 to 4 m tall, their turtles being up to 4.8 m long. They weigh up to 65 tons (including the stele, the bixi turtle, and the plinth under it). The southern row consists of eight pavilions, housing smaller steles, several in each. Four of them house stelae from

1064-544: The Qin and Han dynasties was the Three Lords and Nine Ministers ( 三 公 九 卿 , Sāngōng Jiǔqīng ) system. Nonetheless, even then, offices which fulfilled the same functions as the later three departments were already in existence. The Department of State Affairs originated in the Qin dynasty (221–206 BC) in an archival capacity. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (r. 141-87 BC),

1140-421: The Qin dynasty . The position of Chief Steward for writing ( shangshu ) became more important during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (r. 141-87 BC), who tried to escape the influence of the Grand Chancellor and Censor-in-Chief( yushi dafu 御史大夫) by relying on other officials. Emperor Guangwu of Han (r. 25–57) created the Department of State Affairs with the shangshu as head of the six sections of government. It

1216-671: The Sixteen Kingdoms and Northern dynasties tended to work more similarly to the Southern dynasties over time but were dominated by barbarian peoples such as the Xianbei . During the Sui dynasty (581–618), the post of Director was often left vacant while two Vice Directors, Gao Jiong and Yang Su , handled affairs. During the Tang dynasty (618–907), the post of Director continued to be left vacant for

1292-461: The Southern dynasties period, the Chancellery became responsible for the imperial coaches, medicine, provisions and the stables. During the Sui dynasty (581–618), it also became responsible for the city gates, the imperial seals, the wardrobe and the palace administration. These new external duties were reduced in the Tang dynasty (618–907) to just the city gates, the insignia, and the Institute for

1368-622: The Sui dynasty (581–618) to the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). It was also used by Balhae (698–926) and Goryeo (918–1392) and various other kingdoms in Manchuria, Korea and Vietnam. The Three Departments were three top-level administrative structures in imperial China. They were the Central Secretariat , responsible for drafting policy, the Chancellery , responsible for reviewing policy and advising

1444-570: The Three Bureaus and the Bureau of Military Affairs . The Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) transferred authority over the Six Ministries to the Central Secretariat. The succeeding Ming dynasty (1368–1644) abolished the Central Secretariat entirely and put the Six Ministries under the direct control of the emperor. In 1901 and 1906, the Qing dynasty (1644–1912) added new ministries to the structure, making

1520-517: The Xing Tan Pavilion ( simplified Chinese : 杏 坛 ; traditional Chinese : 杏 壇 ; pinyin : Xìng Tán ), or the Apricot Platform . It commemorates Confucius teaching his students under an apricot tree. Each year at Qufu and at many other Confucian temples a ceremony is held on September 28 to commemorate Confucius' birthday. A large number of stone stelae are located on

1596-514: The Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) and was never re-established in the following Ming dynasty . The Six Ministries (六部 Liù Bù ), also known as the "Six Boards," were government agencies directed by the Department of State Affairs and formally institutionalized during the Cao Wei and Jin dynasty (266–420) periods. Each ministry was headed by a Minister or Secretary ( Chinese : 尚書 ; pinyin : shàngshū ; Manchu : [REDACTED] ) who

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1672-506: The "Hall of Withdrawal", was used by the duke for drinking tea. This gate ( Chinese : 內 宅 門 ; pinyin : Nèizhái Mén ) dates to the Ming dynasty. The gate building stands 11.8 meters wide, 6.1 meters deep, and 6.5 meters tall. During the residence of the Kong family, the gate was heavily guarded and restricted access to the residential portion of the mansion accessible only to the family and

1748-566: The "Western Terrace" ( xitai 西臺), Wu Zetian (regent 684–690, ruler 690–704) called it the "Phoenix Tower" ( fengge 鳳閣), and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (r. 712–755) named it the "Department of the Purple Mystery" ( ziweisheng 紫微省). During the Sui-Tang period, the duty of the Central Secretariat was to read incoming material to the throne, answer questions from the emperor, and to draft imperial edicts. The Sui and Tang added posts for compilation of

1824-718: The Advancement of Literature. The Tang assigned several lower-ranking officials to the Chancellery to make records for the imperial diary. The Tang called the Chancellery, headed by the Grand Chancellor , a number of different names such as the Eastern Terrace ( Dongtai 東臺) or the Phoenix Terrace ( Luantai 鸞臺). In cases where the Vice Directors of the Chancellery or Central Secretariat were officiating as Grand Chancellor,

1900-403: The Central Secretariat became Vice Grand Chancellor. The Khitan dominated Liao dynasty (907–1125) had an institution similar in function to the Central Secretariat of the early Tang dynasty, called the Department of Administration ( zhengshisheng 政事省). The posts of Director, Vice Director, and the drafters, were mostly held by Chinese. The Jurchen dominated Jin dynasty (1115–1234) had

1976-532: The Chancellery was first instituted during the Jin dynasty (266–420) and carried on throughout the Northern and Southern Dynasties period (420–589), where it often became the most powerful office in the central government. The Department of State Affairs originated as one of the Six Chief Stewards ( liushang 六尚) that were responsible for headgear, wardrobe, food, the bath, the bedchamber and for writing ( shangshu 尚書, literally "presenting writings"), during

2052-575: The Chancellery. In the latter half of the Tang dynasty, the title of Director of the Central Secretariat was given to jiedushi (military commissioners) to give them a higher status, which deprived the title of its real value. The Hanlin Academy gained prominence as its academicians ( xueshi 學士) began processing and drafting documents in place of the Central Secretariat, which allowed emperors to issue edicts without prior consultation with Secretariat staff. During

2128-429: The Department of State Affairs ( shangshu you puye 尚書右仆射, or youcheng 右丞), who also held the title of Court Gentleman of the Central Secretariat ( zhongshu shilang 中書侍郎). Another Court Gentleman of the Central Secretariat managed the institution and participated in court consultations. The Rear Section was managed by a Secretariat Drafter ( zhongshu sheren ). The Left Vice Director ( zuo puye 左仆射, or zuocheng 左丞) held

2204-403: The Department of State Affairs decreased in the succeeding dynasties of Cao Wei and the Jin dynasty (266–420) as some of its functions and authority were delegated to the Central Secretariat and Chancellery. The posts of Director and Vice Director also became less important as it was bestowed upon high ministers and noble family members who did not participate in the administrative activities of

2280-418: The Duke of Yansheng to meet official guests and worship his ancestors. The western study was used by the family for study, meals, and entertaining friends. In its present layout, the mansion comprises 152 buildings with 480 rooms, which cover an area of 12,470 square metres (134,200 sq ft). Its tallest structure is the four-story refuge tower ( Chinese : 避 難 樓 ; pinyin : Bìnán Lóu ) that

2356-574: The Jurchen Jin dynasty (1115-1234) and the Mongol Yuan dynasty ; the others, from the Qing dynasty . A large number of smaller tablets of various eras, without bixi pedestals, are lined in the open air in "annexes" around the four corners of the Thirteen Stele Pavilions area. Four important tortoise-borne imperial stelae from the Ming dynasty can be found in the courtyard south of

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2432-603: The Kong family to live in the mansion was Kong Decheng , the 77th generation descendant of Confucius. Kong Decheng fled to Chongqing because of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. He did not return to Qufu but moved on to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War . There is another Kong Family Mansion in Quzhou built by the southern branch of Confucius descendants. Traditional Ming dynasty hanfu robes given by

2508-520: The Ming dynasty . In 1503, during the reign of the Hongzhi Emperor , the complex was expanded into three rows of buildings with 560 rooms and – like the neighboring Confucius Temple – nine courtyards. During the Qing dynasty, the mansion underwent a complete renovation in 1838 only to be damaged in a fire 48 years later that destroyed the women's quarters in 1886. Even during the fire, men did not dare to enter

2584-725: The Ming emperors to the Chinese noble Dukes Yansheng , descended from Confucius , are still preserved in the Confucius Mansion after over five centuries. Robes from the Qing emperors are also preserved there. The Jurchens in the Jin dynasty and Mongols in the Yuan dynasty continued to patronize and support the Confucian Duke Yansheng. The major structures along the central axis of the mansion (from south to north) are: The main entrance gate to

2660-648: The Ministries of Personnel , Rites , War , Justice , Works , and Revenue . During the Yuan Dynasty, authority over the Six Ministries was transferred to the Central Secretariat. The Three Departments were abolished by the Ming dynasty , but the Six Ministries continued under the Ming and Qing , as well as in Vietnam and Korea. Before the Three Departments and Six Ministries, the central administrative structure of

2736-496: The Qing era reconstruction after the fire of 1886, the Front Main Building ( Chinese : 前 堂 樓 ; pinyin : Qiántáng Lóu ) has two storeys and contained the private rooms of the wife and the concubines of the duke The rear building ( Chinese : 後 堂 樓 ; pinyin : Hòutáng Lóu ) was erected during the reign of the Qing dynasty's Jiaqing Emperor . It has a floor space of 3900 square meters and contained

2812-626: The Star of Literature Pavilion. This area has two stele pavilions. The eastern pavilion houses a stele from Year 4 of the Hongwu era (1371), designating deities associated with geographical directions etc. The western pavilion contains a stele from Year 15 of the Yongle era (1417), commemorating a renovation of the temple. The other two stelae are in the open air: a Year 4 of the Chenghua era (1468) stele in front of

2888-693: The Temple of Confucius has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu". The two other parts of the site are the nearby Kong Family Mansion , where the main-line descendants of Confucius lived, and the Cemetery of Confucius a few kilometers to the north, where Confucius and many of his descendants have been buried. Those three sites are collectively known in Qufu as San Kong ( 三孔 ), i.e. "The Three Confucian [sites]". There

2964-461: The Temple of Confucius, some have been moved to the temple's grounds for safekeeping from other sites in Qufu in modern times. The inscriptions on the stelae are mostly in Chinese, but some of the Yuan dynasty and Qing dynasty stelae also have texts, respectively, in Middle Mongolian (using the 'Pags-Pa script ) and Manchu . Some of the most important imperial stelae are concentrated in

3040-579: The area known as the " Thirteen Stele Pavilions " (十三碑亭, Shisan Bei Ting ). These 13 pavilions are arranged in two rows in the narrow courtyard between the Pavilion of the Star of Literature (奎文閣, Kuiwen Ge ) in the south and the Gates of Great Perfection (大成門, Dacheng Men ) in the north. The northern row consists of five pavilions, each of which houses one large stele carried by a giant stone tortoise ( bixi ) and crowned with dragons; they were installed during

3116-455: The arrival of imperial edicts. The structure is 6.24 meters wide, 2.03 meters deep, and 5.95 meters in height. It is also known as the "Yi Gate" ( Chinese : 儀 門 ; pinyin : Yí Mén ) or "Sai Gate" ( Chinese : 塞 門 ; pinyin : Sāi Mén ). The Great Hall ( Chinese : 大 堂 ; pinyin : Dà Táng ) was the site of the duke's official business and the place for the proclamation of imperial edicts. When holding court,

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3192-530: The associated titles were purely honorifics. The Chancellery only continued to exist in name during the Song dynasty (960–1279) while its functions were carried out by the Central Secretariat and the Department of State Affairs. For example, the Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs was concurrently Director of the Chancellery. The Chancellery was reorganized into several different sections: personnel, revenue, military, rites, justice, works,

3268-529: The central administrative office and abolished the Department of State Affairs in 1292 (revived 1309–1311). The post of Director was held by an imperial prince or left vacant, however real work went to the right and left Grand Chancellors. Under the Grand Chancellors were four managers of governmental affairs ( pingzhang zhengshi 平章政事) and a right and left aide ( you cheng 右丞, zuo cheng 左丞), who were collectively known as state counsellors ( zaizhi 宰執). Below

3344-417: The complex ( Chinese : 孔 府 大 門 ; pinyin : Kǒngfǔ Dàmén ) is marked by a tablet that reads "Sage Mansion" ( Chinese : 聖 府 ; pinyin : Shèngfǔ ). The central courtyard is flanked to the east and west by former administrative office buildings. The administration of the Kong family's official functions and businesses was structured into departments similar to the six ministries of

3420-530: The department's office was instituted as a channel of communications between the Emperor's advisors and the government as a whole. By the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220), an office of advisors and reviewers had also been set up. Under the reign of Emperor Wen of Wei (r. 220–226), the Central Secretariat was formally created to draft imperial edicts and to balance out the powerful Department of State Affairs The office of

3496-406: The department. Real paperwork became the purview of clerks, whose increasing influence frightened Emperor Wu of Liang . Emperor Wu decreed that only nobility should become clerks, but none of the nobles were willing to assign their sons to such a lowly position. Members of the department refused to cooperate with Emperor Wu and resisted any changes to administration. The Department of State Affairs in

3572-548: The duke was seated in the hall on a wooden chair that was covered by a tiger skin. The Second Hall ( Chinese : 二 堂 ; pinyin : Èr Táng ) was used for receiving high-ranking officials as well as for examinations in music and rites by the duke. It contains seven tablets inscribed by emperors, including one with the character "shou" (longevity) written by the Empress Dowager Cixi . The Third Hall ( Chinese : 三 堂 ; pinyin : Sān Táng ), also known as

3648-466: The early Song dynasty (960–1279), the Central Secretariat was formally demoted and its function reduced to processing less important documents like memorials, resubmitted documents, or lists of examinations. The Central Secretariat no longer had a Director and its office was merged with that of the Chancellery, called Secretariat-Chancellery ( zhongshu menxia 中書門下, shortened zhongshu 中書) or Administration Chamber ( zhengshitang ). Drafting documents became

3724-502: The eastern pavilion, and Year 17 of the Hongzhi era (1504) stele in front of the western pavilion, also commemorating temple repair projects. Dozens more of smaller, turtle-less stelae are located in this area as well. Three Departments and Six Ministries The Three Departments and Six Ministries ( Chinese : 三省六部 ; pinyin : Sān Shěng Liù Bù ) system was the primary administrative structure in imperial China from

3800-520: The emperor, and the Department of State Affairs , responsible for implementing policy. The former two were loosely joined as the Secretariat-Chancellery during the late Tang dynasty , Song dynasty and in the Korean kingdom of Goryeo. The Six Ministries (also translated as Six Boards) were direct administrative organs of the state under the authority of the Department of State Affairs. They were

3876-401: The front side of the hall are decorated with coiled dragons. It is said that these columns were covered during visits by the emperor in order not to arouse his envy. Dacheng Hall served as the principal place for offering sacrifices to the memory of Confucius. It is also said to be one of the most beautiful views of Confucius Temple. In the center of the courtyard in front of Dacheng Hall stands

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3952-662: The function of a new Document Drafting Office ( sherenyuan 舍人院). A reform during the Yuanfeng reign-period (1078–1085) restored the Central Secretariat to its former functions and the Document Drafting Office was renamed the Secretariat Rear Section ( zhongshu housheng 中書後省). However the title of Director remained an honorific while real leadership of the Central Secretariat went to the Right Vice Director of

4028-599: The imperial diary and proof-reading documents. In the Sui dynasty, the Central Secretariat Director was sometimes the same person as the Grand Chancellor ( zaixiang 宰相). In the Tang, the Director was also master of court assemblies, and often where Grand Chancellors started their careers. The Central Secretariat Director took part in conferences with the emperor alongside the directors of the Department of State Affairs and

4104-406: The imperial government : Department of Rites (ancestor worship), Department of Seals (jurisdiction and edicts), Music, Letters, and Archives, Rent Collection and Sacrificial Fields. Located to the north of the Central Courtyard, the Gate of Double Glory ( Chinese : 重 光 門 ; pinyin : Chóngguāng Mén ) was erected in 1503 and opened only for ceremonial purposes, visits by the emperor, or

4180-399: The institution of Chancellery was formalized. The Chancellery was led by a Director ( menxia shizhong 門下侍中), with assistance from a gentleman attendant at the palace gate ( Huangmen shilang 黃門侍郎 or jishi Huangmen shilang 給事黃門侍郎), later called Vice Director ( menxia shilang 門下侍郎). They were responsible for advising the emperor and providing consultation prior to the issuing of edicts. During

4256-431: The list. The Directorate of Astronomy was added during the Song dynasty . The Central Secretariat originated during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (r. 141-87 BC) to handle documents. The chief steward for writing ( shangshu 尚書), aided by eunuch secretary-receptionists ( zhongshu yezhe 中書謁者)), forwarded documents to the inner palace. This organization was headed by a Secretariat Director ( zhongshu ling 中書令) assisted by

4332-406: The local prefectural level, and each directly reported to their respective ministries in the central government. In addition to the Six Ministires, the Department of State Affairs was also in charge of the Nine Courts and Three Directorates. The Department of State Affairs was one of the largest employers in the government and provided income and posts for many officials. The institution lasted until

4408-473: The mid-Tang period as it competed in political power with the Central Secretariat. Ultimately control over the flow and content of court documents shifted over to the Central Secretariat. By the 9th century, the Chancellery was only responsible for the imperial seals, court ceremonies and the imperial altars. Some of its officials took care of lists of state examinees and household registers of state officials, while others were assigned to resubmit documents. Many of

4484-419: The mid-Tang period the Grand Chancellors had regained their predominance, and Vice Directors of the department were required to have special designations to participate in policy making discussions. Thereafter the department became a purely executive institution. The six sections of government were formally divided into the Six Ministries, each headed by a Minister ( shangshu ). The six divisions were replicated at

4560-427: The most part, and when it was filled, it was by the heir apparent like Li Shimin (r. 626–649) or Li Shi (r. 779–804). To weaken the power of the Vice Director, who was de facto head of the institution, the position was divided into left and right Vice Directors, with the former being the senior. At times the Vice Directors were comparable in power with the Grand Chancellor and sometimes even superseded him. However, by

4636-471: The personnel ranged from princes and high ranking family members to professional writers. The position and responsibilities of the Central Secretariat varied greatly in this period, sometimes even being put in charge of judicial and entertainment matters. The Central Secretariat was known by a variety of names during the Sui dynasty and Tang dynasty . The Sui called it neishisheng (內史省) or neishusheng (內書省). Emperor Gaozong of Tang (r. 618–626) called it

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4712-421: The premises of the Temple of Confucius. A recent book on Confucian stelae in Qufu catalogs around 500 such monuments on the temple's grounds, noting that the list is far from complete. The steles commemorate repeated rebuildings and renovations of the temple complex, contain texts extolling Confucius and imperial edicts granting him new honorary titles. While most of these tablets were originally associated with

4788-457: The private rooms of the duke. The last duke to inhabit the Rear Building was Kong Decheng . Originally a study for the duke, the rear five rooms ( Chinese : 後 五 間 ; pinyin : Hòuwǔ Jiān ) become a quarter for the maids of the residence during the late Qing dynasty. The Back Garden ( Chinese : 後 花 園 ; pinyin : Hòu Huāyuán ) also known as the Tieshan Garden ( Chinese : 鐵 山 園 ; pinyin : Tiěshān Yuán )

4864-417: The secretary's office, the office for ministerial routine memorandums, and finally the proclamations archive. In 1129, the Chancellery was merged with the Central Secretariat and became the Secretariat-Chancellery ( zhongshu menxia 中書門下, shortened zhongshu 中書) or Administration Chamber ( zhengshitang ). The Chancellery was also used in the Liao dynasty and the Jurchen Jin dynasty . In the Jin dynasty, it

4940-426: The state counsellors there were four consultants ( canyi zhongshusheng shi 參議中書省事) responsible for paperwork and took part in decisions. The Central Secretariat controlled the Six Ministries and was thus functionally the heart of the government. The regions of what are now Shandong , Shanxi , Hebei and Inner Mongolia were directly subordinate to the Central Secretariat. In the early Ming dynasty (1368–1644),

5016-407: The sun. The painting was placed at the exit from the inner apartments to the administrative portion to warn the members of the Kong family against greed in their business dealings outside. The Front Reception Hall ( Chinese : 前 上 房 ; pinyin : Qiánshàng Fáng ) is a structure with seven bays that was used for receiving relatives, banquets, marriage and funeral ceremonies. Built during

5092-508: The temple are: The Dacheng Hall ( Chinese : 大 成 殿 ; pinyin : Dàchéng diàn ), whose name is usually translated as the Hall of Great Perfection or the Hall of Great Achievement , is the architectural center of the present-day complex. The hall covers an area of 54 by 34  m and stands slightly less than 32  m tall. It is supported by 28 richly decorated pillars, each 6  m high and 0.8  m in diameter and carved in one piece out of local rock. The 10 columns on

5168-448: The temple in 1214, during the Jin dynasty . It was restored to its former extent by the year 1302 during the Yuan dynasty . Shortly thereafter, in 1331, the temple was framed in an enclosure wall modelled on the Imperial palace. After another devastation by fire in 1499, the temple was finally restored to its present scale. In 1724, yet another fire largely destroyed the main hall and the sculptures it contained. The subsequent restoration

5244-407: The term "Six Ministries" obsolete. The Nine Courts throughout most of history were: The Three Directorates, or sometimes five, were originally the Directorates of Waterways, Imperial Manufactories, and Palace Buildings. In the Sui dynasty , the Directorate of Armaments or Palace Domestic Service was sometimes counted as one. The Sui and Tang dynasties also added the Directorate of Education to

5320-411: The titles of Court Gentleman of the Chancellery ( menxia shilang 門下侍郎) and Grand Chancellor concurrently. Policy decisions were made by the Grand Chancellor before the edicts and documents were drafted and issued. In the Southern Song period (1127–1279), the Central Secretariat was merged with the Chancellery again. The Right Vice Director became Grand Chancellor of the Right while the Court Gentleman of

5396-401: The women's part of the mansion to fight the fire, leading to greater damage to this portion of the mansion complex. The damaged portions of the mansion were rebuilt two years later; the cost of both these 19th-century renovations was covered by the emperor. Despite these later renovations, the Kong Family Mansion remains the best-preserved Ming-era residential complex of its size. The last head of

5472-625: Was added during the Ming-era expansion of the mansion in 1503. The major building at the northern end of the garden is the Flower Hall ( Chinese : 花 廳 ; pinyin : Huā Tīng ). Temple of Confucius, Qufu The Temple of Confucius ( Chinese : 孔廟 ; pinyin : Kǒng miào ) in Qufu , Shandong Province , is the largest and most renowned temple of Confucius in East Asia. Since 1994,

5548-462: Was assisted by two Vice-Ministers or Secretaries ( Chinese : 侍郎 ; pinyin : shìláng ; Manchu : [REDACTED] ). Each ministry was divided into four bureaus ( si si 四司) responsible for local administration, each headed by a director ( langzhong 郎中), who was assisted by a vice director ( yuanwailang 員外郎). The Six Ministries structure was purely administrative. Sometimes they shared administrative duties with parallel structures such as

5624-683: Was completed in 1730. Many of the replacement sculptures were damaged and destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in 1966. In total, the Temple of Confucius has undergone 15 major renovations, 31 large repairs, and numerous small building measures. Another main Confucius Temple was built in Quzhou by the southern branch of the Confucius family. The temple complex is among the largest in China, it covers an area of 16,000  square metres and has

5700-467: Was designed as a shelter during an attack but was never used. The mansion houses an archive with about 60,000 documents related to the life in the mansion over a period of 400 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The first mansion for the Kong family of the Duke Yansheng was built in 1038 during the Song dynasty . In 1377, the mansion was relocated and rebuilt under orders of the first emperor of

5776-483: Was headed by a Director ( ling 令) and a Vice Director ( puye 僕射), assisted by a left and right aide ( cheng 丞) and 36 attendant gentlemen ( shilang 侍郎), six for each section, as well as 18 clerks ( lingshi 令史), three for each section. These six sections later became the Six Ministries , and their chief stewards, the Director, and Vice Director were collectively known as the eight executives ( bazuo 八座). The power of

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