Chinese philosophy originates in the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period, during a period known as the "Hundred Schools of Thought", which was characterized by significant intellectual and cultural developments. Although much of Chinese philosophy begun in the Warring States period, elements of Chinese philosophy have existed for several thousand years. Some can be found in the I Ching, an ancient compendium of divination, which dates back to at least 672 BCE.
Yin and Yang symbol with the bagua symbols paved in a clearing outside of Nanning City, Guangxi province, China
Kong Fuzi (Latin: Confucius)
Chinese glazed stoneware statue of a Daoist deity, from the Ming dynasty, 16th century
The Sakyamuni Buddha, by artist Zhang Shengwen, 1173–1176 CE, Song dynasty
Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy, religion, theory of government, or way of life. Confucianism developed from teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE), during a time that was later referred to as the Hundred Schools of Thought era. Confucius considered himself a transmitter of cultural values inherited from the Xia (c. 2070–1600 BCE), Shang (c. 1600–1046 BCE) and Western Zhou dynasties (c. 1046–771 BCE). Confucianism was suppressed during the Legalist and autocratic Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), but survived. During the Han dynasty, Confucian approaches edged out the "proto-Taoist" Huang–Lao as the official ideology, while the emperors mixed both with the realist techniques of Legalism.
Temple of Confucius of Jiangyin, Wuxi, Jiangsu. This is a wenmiao (文庙), that is to say a temple where Confucius is worshipped as Wendi, "God of Culture" (文帝).
Gates of the wenmiao of Datong, Shanxi
Confucius in a fresco from a Western Han tomb in Dongping, Shandong
Painting of Confucius donning traditional robes, by Wu Daozi, 8th century