Four Sages
The Four Sages, Assessors,[1] or Correlates (Chinese: 四配; pinyin: Sì Pèi) are four eminent Chinese philosophers in the Confucian tradition. They are traditionally accounted a kind of sainthood and their spirit tablets are prominently placed in Confucian temples, two upon the east and two upon the west side of the Hall of the Great Completion (Dacheng Dian).
The Four Sages are:
- Yan Hui, Confucius's favourite disciple
- Zengzi or Zeng Sheng, another disciple of Confucius and author of the Great Learning
- Zisi or Kong Ji, Confucius's grandson, student of Zengzi, and author of the Doctrine of the Mean
- Mencius or Master Meng, student of Zisi and author of the Mencius
Within a traditional Confucian temple, Yan Hui's tablet is placed first to the east of Confucius.[1]