The Life of Confucius

  • 551 BCE

    Birth

    Birth
    Confucius was born in Zou, Lu state to a military officer and his concubine.
  • 548 BCE

    A Rough Beginning

    A Rough Beginning
    At the age of 3, Confucius lost his father. He was brought up by his mother under frugal conditions.
  • 532 BCE

    Love is in the Air

    Love is in the Air
    Confucius married a woman named Qiguan at the age of 19. It was said that they did not have an amicable relationship.
  • 528 BCE

    Parentless

    Parentless
    At the age of 23, Confucius lost his mother, Yan Zhengzai. He mourned her death for 3 years.
  • 519 BCE

    Aspiration for Education

    Aspiration for Education
    Confucius became the first teacher in China to provide education for everybody, no matter their personal backgrounds. He was well-versed in calligraphy, rituals, charioteering, arithmetic, music, archery, history, poetry, and classical traditions.
  • 501 BCE

    Stepping Stone into Politics

    Stepping Stone into Politics
    Confucius began to get into politics, and was appointed the governor of a town in the Lu state. He eventually became
    the "Minister of Crime".
  • 498 BCE

    Travel Time

    Travel Time
    For three days, due to an opponent’s distraction, The Duke of Lu neglected his official duties, leaving Confucius disappointed. Confucius resigned from the Lu government and temporarily traveled to north-east and central China to present his political beliefs.
  • 497 BCE

    Departure

    Departure
    Confucius left his homeland after his support for the failed attempt of dismantling the fortified city walls of three powerful families. The Ji, Meng, and Shu.
  • 483 BCE

    The Return

    The Return
    At 68 years old, Confucius returned from his exile from Lu to preserve and teach his classical traditions through writing and editing.
  • 479 BCE

    Death

    Death
    At the age of 73, Confucius died, leaving behind around 3,000 followers. 72 of his students to have a command on the arts that were taught and mastered by Confucius.