Confucian ritual religion (s 礼教, t 禮教 Lǐjiào, "rites' transmission", also called 名教 Míngjiào, the "names' transmission"), or the Confucian civil religion, defines the civil religion of China. It consists of the state-endorsed ceremonies and sacrifices (cults), held according to Confucian modalities, dedicated to the Gods which represent the theologico-political origin of the state itself and the Chinese civilisation. These rituals have undergone a great revitalisation in post-Maoist China, creating a public space in which the Chinese state and popular Confucian movements jostle and negotiate with each other.
