1. Ancient Confucianism, from the time Duke Zhou established Confucianism by “making rituals and music” to the end of Qin Shihuang by “burning books and trapping Confucians”, its main feature is the integration of politics and religion, and the study of Confucian theology is also It is equivalent to the study of state governance theory, which belongs to both religious management and state management. Its representatives are Zhou Wen Wang Jichang, who initiated the ideological enlightenment, and Zhou Gong Ji Dan, the master of theory.

Due to the early creation of religion, many religious doctrines are under discussion and exploration, which has formed a "great discussion" and "great debate" among the whole people. .

It is worth noting that the priestly class that leads Confucianism is Taoism. The Confucian religious belief model and state management model are all headed by Taoists, whose functions are to "train the emperor" and "train the officials". The Confucians who were doing practical work were the ones being led at this time. According to historical records, their standard titles were alchemists and Confucian scholars. Taoists always played the role of Confucian teachers.

Confucius, a Confucian at that time, had a famous saying, "When three people walk together, there must be one who is my teacher." In the past, people usually used it as a model of studiousness. In fact, the implicit meaning is to learn from Taoism, which refers to people. In a group of three people, there must be a Taoist figure who plays the role of "teacher". Only when everyone obeys the "teacher's" teachings and respects the teacher will the group be united and the group's interests be safeguarded.

2. Medieval Confucianism was established when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty "deposed hundreds of schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone" until the rise of "Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism" and was actually replaced. Although Confucianism still existed in form, But in essence, it has returned to de facto atheism. The national system has changed from the integration of politics and religion to the separation of politics and religion. The so-called Confucianism has actually transformed into Confucianism. Its representatives are the theoretical pioneer Dong Zhongshu and his ancestor Confucius Kongqiu.

3. Confucianism in modern times was established from the "Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism" until the collapse of Confucianism during the Manchu Qing government. Its representatives were "Er Cheng" (Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi) and Neo-Confucianism, the originators of Neo-Confucianism. Zhu Xi is the master of all things.

4. Modern Confucianism has become non-mainstream in national life and has become the target of overthrow. The so-called "overthrowing the Confucian family store" is a vivid metaphor, but it proposes "Chinese learning as the body and Western learning as the body". Thoughts such as “for use” and “taking the essence and discarding the dross”.

5. Modern Confucianism. Traditional Confucian thought has been revived. The landmark events with greater influence are mainly the establishment of Confucius Institutes overseas and the promulgation of the concept of Confucian businessmen.