# Confucius — With the Empress Dowager of China character guide

> Confucius in With the Empress Dowager of China by Katharine A. Carl.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0015-xiii-the-steam-launch-semiannual-sacrifices-to-confucius

## Who they are

The ancient Chinese philosopher, referenced in relation to sacrifices and literary traditions.

## Relationships

### [Empress Dowager Tze-Hsi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/empress_dowager_tze_hsi)

_psychological_

The Empress Dowager frequently invokes Confucius's teachings to justify her authority and moral governance, treating him as a symbolic guide.

## In the story

### [XIII: The Steam-Launch—Semiannual Sacrifices to Confucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xiii-the-steam-launch-semiannual-sacrifices-to-confucius)

The great Sage whose philosophy is honored in the semiannual sacrifices, described as an ethical teacher rather than a religious leader.

### [XV: The Literary Tastes and Accomplishments of the Empress Dowager](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xv-the-literary-tastes-and-accomplishments-of-the-empress-dowager)

Implied through references to the classics and literary traditions.

### [XXIX: Religious Rites in China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/xxix-religious-rites-in-china)

Mentioned as the Great Sage whose ethical system, Confucianism, is the real moral guide for the Chinese people, transcending Buddhism and Taoism.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/chapters/endnotes)

Quoted on purity, linking to the Manchu dynasty's name.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters/confucius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_the_empress_dowager_of_china_se/characters