Confucius (Kong Fuzi), born Kong Qiu or Zhongni, entered the world under modest circumstances. His father, Shuliang He (Kong He, styled Shuliang), was a low-ranking military officer in the state of Lu. Already advanced in age, Shuliang He had nine daughters and one son – whose lameness disqualified him as a worthy heir.
A humble birth on the sacred mountain
Yearning for a capable successor, Shuliang He married a young woman named Yan Zhengzai.
The couple prayed at Mount Niqiu, southeast of Qufu, begging Heaven for a son. When their wish was granted, they named the child Qiu (means “Hill”) in honor of the mountain, Zhong means “Second”, “Ni” is the name of the mountain, Zhongni mean the son of the Mount Niqiu, also it marks his birth order since he is the second son.
Tragedy struck early: Confucius lost his father at age three. His mother, ostracized by the Kong clan, was barred even from attending the funeral. Soon after, she and her son were expelled from the family estate.
A mother’s resolve and a child’s imitation
Undeterred, Yan Zhengzai moved to Qufu, supporting herself through hard labor while raising her son alone. With few toys, young Confucius observed his mother’s quiet rituals – setting out wine and food on ancestral anniversaries, weeping in silence. He began mimicking these rites with miniature bowls and dishes, playing at sacrifice and ceremony – a foreshadowing of his lifelong devotion to ritual propriety.
At seventeen, Confucius lost his mother. Because the Kong family had hidden his father’s burial site, he initially interred her in Qufu. Only later, guided by an elderly woman, did he learn his father lay buried at Fangshan (east of Qufu). He then reburied his mother beside his father, fulfilling filial duty.
Rejection and Resolve
That same year, Jisun Shi, a powerful Lu minister, hosted a gathering for scholars. Confucius, eager to enter intellectual circles, attended – but was publicly humiliated by Yang Hu, Jisun’s arrogant steward:
“This is for distinguished men! What are you doing here?”
Shamed but undeterred, Confucius redoubled his studies, determined to become a man of learning and moral excellence.
He settled in Daxiang Alley, mastering the Six Arts:
- Ritual (Li)
- Music
- Archery
- Charioteering
- Calligraphy
- Mathematics
These were the essential skills of a well-rounded gentleman. Neighbors praised him: “The Kong boy knows everything!” Yet Confucius remained humble:
“What do I really know? At least I’ve learned to drive a chariot.”
From herdsman to accountant: Integrity in small roles
In his mid-twenties, Confucius served as “Chengtian” – a minor official overseeing cattle and sheep. He declared:
“I will make them fat and thriving.”
And so they were.
Later, as “Weili” (a clerk managing granary accounts), he vowed:
“My records will be flawless.”
And indeed, not a single error was found.
These humble posts shaped his belief: moral character manifests in everyday duties, however small.
Founding private education and Gaining recognition
By age thirty, Confucius’s reputation had grown. Disciples sought him out – nobles and commoners alike. Breaking tradition – where education was reserved for aristocrats – he established private schools, democratizing access to classical learning.
He taught while closely observing state affairs, advocating that governance must be rooted in ritual, virtue, and ethical leadership.
His influence reached the elite: Meng Xizi, a senior Lu minister, instructed his sons – Meng Yizi and Nangong Kuo – to study ritual under Confucius.
Journey to Luoyi and Meeting with Laozi
In 522 BCE, at age thirty, Confucius accompanied Nangong Kuo on an official mission to Luoyi, the Zhou capital, to study ancient rites and music. Duke Zhao of Lu provided them with a carriage, two horses, and attendants.
There, Confucius sought out the legendary Laozi (Li Er, styled Dan) – keeper of the Zhou royal archives, revered sage, author of the great book Dao De Jing. Bearing a wild goose as a traditional gift, Confucius asked to learn about ritual and the Tao (Dao).
Though decades older, Laozi welcomed the earnest young scholar. He imparted wisdom with warmth and depth. Deeply moved, Confucius later told others:
“I do not know how the dragon mounts the clouds and ascends to heaven – but if I have seen one, it is Laozi!”
This encounter between Confucianism’s founder and Daoism’s patriarch became legendary – a symbolic meeting of two great Chinese philosophical traditions.
Leave a Reply