Confucian art

Confucian art is art inspired by the writings of Confucius, and teachings. Confucian art originated in China, then spread westwards on the Silk road, southward down to southern China and then onto Southeast Asia, and eastwards through northern China on to Japan and Korea. It still maintains a strong influence within Indonesia. Confucian influence on western art has been limited.

Notable elements of this art are calligraphy of Confucian writings and thoughts, often contained within Confucian temples and schools, as well as whiteware ceramics and pottery related to Confucian religious and scholarly practices. In China, Chinese scholar's rocks were part of this tradition. As most importantly the Korean stone art which continues to this day.

Confucian art may be distinguished between: classical early period, neo-Confucianism, and post-modern Confucian art.

Contemporary art events

Confucius' birthday, the 27th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, is celebrated as a holiday in Taiwan and within a community of a million Confucians within Indonesia. Mainland and overseas Chinese have a more limited celebration, mostly among the scholarly community where calligraphy and paintings are done. The month varies between late September and early October in the western calendar. And celebrations provide visuals of contemporary Confucian art, music, and maintenance of the rites.