Duke Yansheng
Encyclopedia
Duke Yansheng was a title of nobility in China
. It was originally created as a marquisate for the direct descendent of Confucius
during the Western Han dynasty. Then the Northern Song Dynasty Emperor Renzong of Song
(1022-1063) elevated the 46th generation descendants the current title of Duke
. The dukes enjoyed privileges that other nobles
were denied such as the right to tax their domain in Qufu
while being exempt from imperial taxes. Their fiefdom had its own court of law and the power of capital punishment; although all capital sentences had to be ratified by the Emperor. After the republican revolution
, the dukes lost their privileges, and Duke Yansheng was the only title of Chinese nobility
retained. In 1935, the Nationalist Government changed the title to Sacrificial Official to Confucius (大成至聖先師奉祀官), which still exists as an office of the Republic of China
, de facto hereditary. Until 2008, the Sacrificial Official to Confucius was ranked and compensated as a cabinet minister. This office is currently held by Kung Tsui-chang
, the 79th generation descendant in the main line, who was appointed in September 2009, following the death of his grandfather Kung Te-cheng
in 2008. In 2009, the Ministry of Interior announced that the position would no longer receive remuneration and that female descendants of Confucius would also be eligible for future appointment.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It was originally created as a marquisate for the direct descendent of Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
during the Western Han dynasty. Then the Northern Song Dynasty Emperor Renzong of Song
Emperor Renzong of Song
Emperor Renzong was the fourth emperor of the Song Dynasty of China. His personal name was Zhao Zhen . He reigned from 1022 to 1063. Renzong was the son of Emperor Zhenzong of Song. Despite his long reign of over 40 years, Renzong is not widely known...
(1022-1063) elevated the 46th generation descendants the current title of Duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
. The dukes enjoyed privileges that other nobles
Chinese nobility
Chinese sovereignty and peerage, the nobility of China, were an important feature of traditional social and political organization of Imperial China. While the concepts of hereditary sovereign and peerage titles and noble families were featured as early as the semi-mythical, early historical...
were denied such as the right to tax their domain in Qufu
Qufu
Qufu is a city in southwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It is located at 35° 36′ northern latitude and 117° 02′ east, about south of the provincial capital Jinan and northeast of the prefecture seat at Jining...
while being exempt from imperial taxes. Their fiefdom had its own court of law and the power of capital punishment; although all capital sentences had to be ratified by the Emperor. After the republican revolution
Xinhai Revolution
The Xinhai Revolution or Hsinhai Revolution, also known as Revolution of 1911 or the Chinese Revolution, was a revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing , and established the Republic of China...
, the dukes lost their privileges, and Duke Yansheng was the only title of Chinese nobility
Chinese nobility
Chinese sovereignty and peerage, the nobility of China, were an important feature of traditional social and political organization of Imperial China. While the concepts of hereditary sovereign and peerage titles and noble families were featured as early as the semi-mythical, early historical...
retained. In 1935, the Nationalist Government changed the title to Sacrificial Official to Confucius (大成至聖先師奉祀官), which still exists as an office of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, de facto hereditary. Until 2008, the Sacrificial Official to Confucius was ranked and compensated as a cabinet minister. This office is currently held by Kung Tsui-chang
Kung Tsui-chang
Kung Tsui-chang is the Sacrificial Official to Confucius in the Republic of China and Senior Advisor to the President of the Republic of China....
, the 79th generation descendant in the main line, who was appointed in September 2009, following the death of his grandfather Kung Te-cheng
Kung Te-cheng
K'ung Te-ch'eng was the 77th generation descendant of Confucius in the main line of descent. He was the final person to be appointed Duke Yansheng and the first Sacrificial Official to Confucius. He helped formulate and was in charge of officiating the modern Confucius ceremony held annually in...
in 2008. In 2009, the Ministry of Interior announced that the position would no longer receive remuneration and that female descendants of Confucius would also be eligible for future appointment.