Confucius

Confucius is a man whose name and legacy cannot be overlooked in the list of the most famous people in ancient China. He was born in the ninth month of the year, September 28, 551 BC. Born into a middle-class family, and later suffered terrible poverty due to the death of his father at the age of three. He is married to his wife, Qiguan, and they have 3 children to be exact, a son and two daughters. Unfortunately, he lost one of his daughters at a very young age. He actually served in the fields and was a bookkeeper. With that, he became a teacher, teaching a relatively small group of devoted students or disciples. All of this laid the groundwork for him to become a respected sage or philosopher and thinker.

Confucius has influenced so many lives, not only in China but also in neighboring countries like Japan, Korea, Vietnam, etc., through his teachings. All are deeply rooted in his teachings. For the sake of simplicity, his maxims and ideology/philosophy are often referred to as Confucianism, which formed the origin of the worldwide famous anthology called Analects of Confucius. He often made his mark on history through his teachings and ideology. He also contributed to education as he founded and promoted the private school system, where everyone, regardless of class or status, is welcome. He himself was constantly learning and he taught his followers the six arts on which their education was formed; mathematics, calligraphy, music, archery, chariot driving, and rituals last but not least. He did this as a countermeasure against the saying or belief common in the Zhou dynasty that education was only open to people of the higher classes.

• Born and died: 551 – 479 BCE
• Known as: Philosopher and politician