How To Offer Incense In Confucianism

The jue wine vessel. The rite for Confucius is called Shidian (釋奠, Thích Điện). The Taipei Confucius Temple explains that both characters mean to set out and to present, as a mark of reverence for Confucius. In the three presentations of the rite, what is offered is silk and wine (獻帛、獻爵). The jue (爵) is an ancient wine vessel, the equivalent of a wine cup today. The icon shows the three-legged bronze jue.

The thread-bound book. The Analects open with the words of Confucius: to learn and at due times to practise what one has learned, is that not a pleasure (學而時習之，不亦說乎？). The icon shows an old-style thread-bound book to stand for study. It is not a ritual object.

The mirror. The Analects record the words of Zengzi: each day I examine myself on three points (吾日三省吾身). Have I been loyal in working for others, have I kept my word with friends, have I practised what was handed down to me. The mirror is the library's own illustration of self-examination, not a ritual object.

A cup of tea for one's parents. Ziyou asked about filial piety. Confucius answered: today filial piety is taken to mean being able to feed one's parents, yet without respect, where is the difference (今之孝者，是謂能養。…不敬，何以別乎？). The Analects also say that filial and fraternal conduct is the root of humaneness (孝弟也者，其爲仁之本與？). The hot cup of tea on a tray is the library's own illustration of care joined with respect.

The doctoral stele on a stone turtle. The Analects say: on seeing a worthy person, think of equalling them. On seeing an unworthy one, look within and examine yourself (見賢思齊焉，見不賢而內自省也). At Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám in Hanoi 82 stone stelae remain, erected between 1484 and 1780 and carved with the names of the laureates of the examinations held from 1442 to 1779. UNESCO lists them on the Memory of the World register. Each stele stands on a stone turtle. The stelae are now fenced and visitors no longer rub the turtles' heads.

The stone chime. The Analects record the words of Youzi: in the practice of the rites, harmony is what is prized (禮之用，和爲貴). The Shidian rite is performed with music. The teqing (特磬) is one large stone slab hung on a frame and struck once at the end of each musical phrase to close it. The library chose the chime to stand for rite and music in accord.

Brush, inkstone and red paper. This is a folk custom, not a Confucian rite. Each Tết the Spring Calligraphy Festival opens around Văn Lake at Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám. In 2024 forty calligraphers (ông đồ) wrote for visitors. The Government portal writes that asking for a character at the new year shows esteem for learning and places the year's hopes in each stroke. The icon shows the calligrapher's tools and no written character.

Khuê Văn Các pavilion. This is a modern folk custom, not a Confucian rite. Before each examination many students and parents come to Văn Miếu Quốc Tử Giám to offer incense outside the Đại Thành Hall, ask for calligraphy and write their wishes. Confucian rites express respect and do not petition, so the library words this as a promise to oneself. Khuê Văn Các was built in 1805. The Khuê constellation was regarded of old as the star that governs letters.