Duke Yansheng

The spirit way of Kong Yanjin, the 59th-generation senior-line direct descendant of Confucius and Duke Yansheng, in the Cemetery of Confucius, Qufu

Duke Yansheng (simplified Chinese: 衍圣公; traditional Chinese: 衍聖公; pinyin: Yǎnshèng gōng; lit. 'overflowing with sage') was a title of nobility in China. It was originally created as a marquisate for the direct descendent of Confucius during the Western Han dynasty. Then the Northern Song Dynasty Emperor Renzong of Song (1022–1063) elevated the 46th generation descendants the current title of Duke.

The dukes enjoyed privileges that other nobles were denied such as the right to tax their domain in Qufu while being exempt from imperial taxes. Their fiefdom had its own court of law and the power of capital punishment; although all capital sentences had to be ratified by the Emperor.

After the republican revolution, the dukes lost their privileges, and Duke Yansheng was the only title of Chinese nobility retained. In 1935, the Nationalist Government changed the title to Sacrificial Official to Confucius (大成至聖先師奉祀官), which still exists as an office of the Republic of China, de facto hereditary. Until 2008, the Sacrificial Official to Confucius was ranked and compensated as a cabinet minister. This office is currently held by Kung Tsui-chang, the 79th generation descendant in the main line, who was appointed in September 2009, following the death of his grandfather Kung Te-cheng in 2008. Kung Te-cheng was the last person to hold the original title and first to hold the current title. The Ministry of Interior has now declared that the position would no longer receive remuneration and that female descendants of Confucius would also be eligible for future appointment.

Tombs of the Dukes of Yansheng of the Ming and Qing eras can be seen in the Cemetery of Confucius in Qufu; the Ming burials are primarily in the western part of the cemetery, and the Qing, in the eastern.

See also

• Family tree of Confucius in the main line of descent
• Descent from antiquity