CHINA
History
Although China's historical records show the dynasties dating back 5,000 years ago, Chines Civilization actually started way before as little communities on the banks of the Yangtze and Yellow River.
The first recorded Dynasty among the city-states near the Yangtze was founded by Yu the Great, the Xia Dynasty (2200 - 1700 BC). This was followed by the Shang (1600 - 1046 BC), which will be overrun by the semi-feudal Zhou Dynasty (1122 - 256 BC). The Zhou Dynasty is the longest dynasty to be recorded and under its rulers, believed to be blessed with the mandate of heaven, China expanded its territory including communities near both the Yangtze and Yellow River.
But it wasn't until Qin Shi Huang, who ascended the throne in 221 BC that scholars attribute the unification of China. Qin Shi Huang conquered neighbouring vity-states and founded the Qin Dynasty. From the Qin Dynasty, succeeding Dynasties exoanded china's territory to as far as India. Until in 220 AD, when the Han dynasty collapsed, causing fiefdoms and kingdoms to compete for war. This era stretching from 220 - 589 AD was known as the "Three Kingdoms," named after Wei, Shu, and Wu, the most powerful kingdoms that fought over China.
The first recorded Dynasty among the city-states near the Yangtze was founded by Yu the Great, the Xia Dynasty (2200 - 1700 BC). This was followed by the Shang (1600 - 1046 BC), which will be overrun by the semi-feudal Zhou Dynasty (1122 - 256 BC). The Zhou Dynasty is the longest dynasty to be recorded and under its rulers, believed to be blessed with the mandate of heaven, China expanded its territory including communities near both the Yangtze and Yellow River.
But it wasn't until Qin Shi Huang, who ascended the throne in 221 BC that scholars attribute the unification of China. Qin Shi Huang conquered neighbouring vity-states and founded the Qin Dynasty. From the Qin Dynasty, succeeding Dynasties exoanded china's territory to as far as India. Until in 220 AD, when the Han dynasty collapsed, causing fiefdoms and kingdoms to compete for war. This era stretching from 220 - 589 AD was known as the "Three Kingdoms," named after Wei, Shu, and Wu, the most powerful kingdoms that fought over China.
The Wei eventually overpowered the other Kimgdoms and founded the Sui dynasty, under which chinas was united again. This was followed by the prosperous Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), founded by General Li Yuan. After the Tang came another warring period: 5 Dynasties and 10 Kingdoms. This chaos lasted until 959 when Zhao Kuangyin defeated the other kingdoms and established the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). Under this dynasty and the two to follow: Kublai Khan's Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) and Han Ming's Dynasty under the same name (1368 - 1644), China's philosophy, culture, and art continued to flourish.
The last Chinese dynasty, the Qing, ruled from 1644 to 1911, when it was overthrown by Sun Yat-Sen, touching off the Chinese Civil War. Although the war was interrupted for a decade by the Japanese invasion and World War II, it picked up again once Japan was defeated. Mao Zedong and the Communist Peoples Liberation Army won the Chinese Civil War, and China became the Peoples' Republic of China in 1949. Chiang Kai Shek, leader of the losing Nationalist forces, fled to Taiwan.
The last Chinese dynasty, the Qing, ruled from 1644 to 1911, when it was overthrown by Sun Yat-Sen, touching off the Chinese Civil War. Although the war was interrupted for a decade by the Japanese invasion and World War II, it picked up again once Japan was defeated. Mao Zedong and the Communist Peoples Liberation Army won the Chinese Civil War, and China became the Peoples' Republic of China in 1949. Chiang Kai Shek, leader of the losing Nationalist forces, fled to Taiwan.
Religion and Philosophy
Confucianism
Confucianism is a non-theistic, humanistic philosophy that emphasizes harmony through social values.
It was started by Confucius (551 - 479 BC) who was a wandering teacher of philosophy, which consisted of him promoting values such as filial piety, respecting one's parents, elders, and family members; respect of the ruling government and social relationships; and having a just and moral character, which can be achieved by receiving a good education. Such values, he believed, are that what makes society achieve a state of functioning harmoniously. His main teachings can be found in the Analects, a collection of Confucius' beliefs that has become part of China's literary canon and is still one of the most widely studied texts in China.
Five Main Confucian Virtues
The Five Bonds
Confucianism is a non-theistic, humanistic philosophy that emphasizes harmony through social values.
It was started by Confucius (551 - 479 BC) who was a wandering teacher of philosophy, which consisted of him promoting values such as filial piety, respecting one's parents, elders, and family members; respect of the ruling government and social relationships; and having a just and moral character, which can be achieved by receiving a good education. Such values, he believed, are that what makes society achieve a state of functioning harmoniously. His main teachings can be found in the Analects, a collection of Confucius' beliefs that has become part of China's literary canon and is still one of the most widely studied texts in China.
Five Main Confucian Virtues
- Humaneness, "rén" compassion, benevolence.
- Righteousness, “yì” justice, morally right.
- Ritual propriety,"lǐ" the proper customs in social rituals and expectations.
- Knowledge,"zhì" understanding and familiarity with truths, facts, and/or principles.
- Integrity,"xìn" adhering to moral character; honesty.
The Five Bonds
- Ruler to Ruled
- Father to Son
- Husband to Wife
- Elder Brother to Younger Brother
- Friend to Friend
Taoism
Taoism, also refered to as Daoism, is an ancient tradition of philosophy and religious belief that is deeply rooted in Chinese customs and worldview.
Taoism is a religion of unity and opposites; Yin and Yang. The principle of Yin Yang sees the world as filled with complementary forces - action and non-action, light and dark, hot and cold, and so on.
It is about the Tao (translated in English as the Way). The Tao is the ultimate creative principle of the universe. In the Tao, all things are unified and connected.
Taoism promotes:
Their practices include meditation, feng shui, fortune telling, and reading and chanting of scripture. Taoists also worship deities who, like all things, depend on the Tao.
Before the Communist revolution fifty years ago, Taoism was one of the strongest religions in China. After a campaign to destroy non-Communist religion, however, the numbers significantly reduced, and it has become difficult to assess the statistical popularity of Taoism in the world.
Taoism, also refered to as Daoism, is an ancient tradition of philosophy and religious belief that is deeply rooted in Chinese customs and worldview.
Taoism is a religion of unity and opposites; Yin and Yang. The principle of Yin Yang sees the world as filled with complementary forces - action and non-action, light and dark, hot and cold, and so on.
It is about the Tao (translated in English as the Way). The Tao is the ultimate creative principle of the universe. In the Tao, all things are unified and connected.
Taoism promotes:
- achieving harmony or union with nature
- the pursuit of spiritual immortality
- being 'virtuous' (but not ostentatiously so)
- self-development
Their practices include meditation, feng shui, fortune telling, and reading and chanting of scripture. Taoists also worship deities who, like all things, depend on the Tao.
Before the Communist revolution fifty years ago, Taoism was one of the strongest religions in China. After a campaign to destroy non-Communist religion, however, the numbers significantly reduced, and it has become difficult to assess the statistical popularity of Taoism in the world.
Theater Forms
Literature
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