The Temple of Duke Zhou
The Temple of Duke Zhou lies to the northeast of Qufu and serves as a ritual platform to offer sacrifices to Duke Zhou, a legendary man known for his administrative capability and loyalty to his country. He was one of the sages revered by Confucius for his great learning.
The temple covers 28,000 square meters. Thirteen buildings still exist in the quiet complex. Yuanshen Hall is the architectural center of the present day complex.
Duke Zhou is called Ji Dan(Chinese:姬旦), the younger brother of King Wu, who overthrew the brutal control of Zhou, the last ruler of the Shang Dynasty (16th B.C. – 11th century BC). He helped his brother invent a system of social etiquette under the Zhou Dynasty (557-581).
Considering the breakdown of the Shang Dynasty, he asked the rulers to protect his people, rich or poor, and take liberal measures to fulfill the blessed position as the Son of Heaven. He took education as an effective instrument of social government and paid huge attention to the political and moral teaching of the students in the powerful and wealthy families.
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