Abstract This article analyzes the historical journey of Confucianism in Indonesia, which is closely linked to social and political dynamics, from the arrival of Chinese immigrants to its official recognition during the Reformation era. Confucianism not only functions as a belief system, but also as a foundation for ethics, cultural identity, and social solidarity for the Chinese-Indonesian community. However, in the context of national politics, its existence experienced systematic marginalization, particularly during the New Order era, through assimilation policies that restricted Chinese religious and cultural expression. This study aims to map the phases of political transition that have influenced the legal and social status of Confucianism in Indonesia. Using a critical historical approach and policy analysis, this study finds that the re-recognition of Confucianism under the administration of President Abdurrahman Wahid was an important turning point in the restoration of human rights and the strengthening of religious pluralism. Administrative discrimination that had persisted for decades began to gradually erode, although challenges related to inclusivity in education, public services, and bureaucracy still remained. The results of the study show that the resilience of the Confucian community, coupled with changes in the national political orientation after 1998, were the most important factors in restoring Confucianism's position in Indonesia's official religious map. This article concludes that the recognition of Confucianism reflects the maturity of Indonesian democracy in accommodating the civil rights of minority groups equally and non-discriminatorily within the framework of a modern multicultural democratic state.