chinese culture is one of the world
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8/3/2019 Chinese Culture is One of the World
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SOCIETY
LANGAUGE
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Mythology and spirituality
Music
Arts
Martial arts
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Fashion
Cuisine
Gallery
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Chinese culture is one of the world's oldest and most complex.[1][2] The area in which the culture is dominant
covers a large geographical region in eastern Asia with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns,cities and provinces. Important components of Chinese culture includes literature, music, visual arts, martial
arts, cuisine, etc.
[edit] People in the culture[edit] IdentityToday there are 56 distinct recognized ethnic groups in China.[3] In terms of numbers however, the pre-eminent
ethnic group is the Han Chinese. Throughout history, many groups have been assimilated into neighboringethnicities or disappeared without a trace. At the same time, many within the Han identity have maintaineddistinct linguistic and regional cultural traditions. The term Zhonghua Minzu has been used to describe the
notion of Chinese nationalism in general. Much of the traditional identity within the community has to do with
distinguishing the family name.
[edit] RegionalMain article: Three ancestral treasuresTraditional Chinese Culture covers large geographical territories, where each region is usually divided into
distinct sub-cultures. Each region is often represented by three ancestral items. For example Guangdong is
represented by chenpi, aged ginger and hay.[4][5] Others include ancient cities like Lin'an (Hangzhou), whichinclude tea leaf , bamboo shoot trunk and hickory nut.[6] Such distinctions give rise to the old Chinese proverb:
"十里不同風,百里不同俗/十里不同风,百里不同俗" (Shí lǐ bùtóng fēng, bǎi lǐ bùtóng sú), literally "the windvaries within ten li, customs vary within a hundred li."""
[edit] Society
Gold detailing on a throne used by the Qianlong Emperor . The Chinese dragon was a symbol reserved for the
Emperor of China or high level imperial families during the Qing Dynasty
[edit] StructureMain article: Social structure of ChinaSince the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period, some form of Chinese monarch has been the main ruler
above all. Different periods of history have different names for the various positions within society.
Conceptually each imperial or feudal period is similar, with the government and military officials ranking highin the hierarchy, and the rest of the population under regular Chinese law.[7] From the late Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE) onwards, traditional Chinese society was organized into a hierarchic system of socio-economic
classes known as the four occupations.
However, this system did not cover all social groups while the distinctions between all groups became blurredever since the commercialization of Chinese culture in the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE). Ancient Chinese
education also has a long history; ever since the Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE) educated candidates prepared for
the Imperial examinations which drafted exam graduates into government as scholar-bureaucrats.This led to the creation of a meritocracy, although success was available only to males who could afford test
preparation. Imperial examinations required applicants to write essays and demonstrate mastery of the
Confucian classics. Those who passed the highest level of the exam became elite scholar-officials known as
jinshi, a highly esteemed socio-economic position. Trades and crafts were usually taught by a shifu. The femalehistorian Ban Zhao wrote the Lessons for Women in the Han Dynasty and outlined the four virtues women must
abide to, while scholars such as Zhu Xi and Cheng Yi would expand upon this. Chinese marriage and Taoist
sexual practices are some of the customs and rituals found in society.
[edit] ValuesMain articles: Chinese philosophy and Religion in China
Most social values are derived from Confucianism and Taoism. The subject of which school was the most
influential is always debated as many concepts such as Neo-Confucianism, Buddhism and many others have
come about. Reincarnation and other rebirth concept is a reminder of the connection between real-life and theafter-life. In Chinese business culture, the concept of guanxi, indicating the primacy of relations over rules, has
been well documented.[8]
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Confucianism was the official philosophy throughout most of Imperial China's history, and mastery of
Confucian texts was the primary criterion for entry into the imperial bureaucracy. A number of moreauthoritarian strains of thought have also been influential, such as Legalism.
There was often conflict between the philosophies, e.g. the Song Dynasty Neo-Confucians believed Legalism
departed from the original spirit of Confucianism. Examinations and a culture of merit remain greatly valued inChina today. In recent years, a number of New Confucians (not to be confused with Neo-Confucianism) have
advocated that democratic ideals and human rights are quite compatible with traditional Confucian "Asian
values".[9]
With the rise of European economic and military power beginning in the mid-19th century, non-Chinesesystems of social and political organization gained adherents in China. Some of these would-be reformers
totally rejected China's cultural legacy, while others sought to combine the strengths of Chinese and European
cultures. In essence, the history of 20th-century China is one of experimentation with new systems of social, political, and economic organization that would allow for the reintegration of the nation in the wake of dynastic
collapse.
[edit] LanguageChinese calligraphy written by Song Dynasty (1051-1108 CE) poet Mi Fu
Main articles: Chinese language and History of Mandarin
The ancient written standard was Classical Chinese. It was used for thousands of years, but was mostly reservedfor scholars and intellectuals which forms the "top" class of the society called "shi da fu (士大夫）".
Calligraphy later became commercialized, and works by famous artists became prized possessions. Chinese
literature has a long past; the earliest classic work in Chinese, the I Ching or "Book of Changes" dates to around
1000 BC. A flourishing of philosophy during the Warring States Period produced such noteworthy works asConfucius's Analects and Laozi's Tao Te Ching . (See also: the Chinese classics.) Dynastic histories were often
written, beginning with Sima Qian's seminal Records of the Grand Historian, which was written from 109 BC
to 91 BC.The Tang Dynasty witnessed a poetic flowering, while the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature
were written during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Printmaking in the form of movable type was developed
during the Song Dynasty. Academies of scholars sponsored by the empire were formed to comment on theclassics in both printed and handwritten form. Royalty frequently participated in these discussions as well.
Chinese philosophers, writers and poets were highly respected and played key roles in preserving and
promoting the culture of the empire. Some classical scholars, however, were noted for their daring depictions of
the lives of the common people, often to the displeasure of authorities.By the 20th century, millions of citizens , especially those outside of the "shi da fu" social class were still
illiterate.[7] Only after the May 4th Movement did the push for written vernacular Chinese begin. This allowed
common citizens to read since it was modeled after the linguistics and phonology of the standard spokenlanguage. Nowadays there are many different dialects among different regions. These dialects are just like
"local codes". People could not understand each other if they are not from related areas.
[edit] Mythology and spirituality
A Luohan, one of the spiritual figures of Chinese Buddhism.
Chinese calligraphy, a combination of Chinese art.
Main articles: Chinese spiritual world concepts, Chinese mythology, and Chinese folk religionChinese religion was originally oriented to worshipping the supreme god Shang Di during the Xia and Shang
dynasties, with the king and diviners acting as priests and using oracle bones. The Zhou dynasty oriented it to
worshipping the broader concept of heaven. A large part of Chinese culture is based on the notion that aspiritual world exists. Countless methods of divination have helped answer questions, even serving as an
alternate to medicine. Folklores have helped fill the gap for things that cannot be explained. There is often a
blurred line between myth, religion and unexplained phenomenon.
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While many deities are part of the tradition, some of the most recognized holy figures include Guan Yin, Jade
Emperor and Buddha. Many of the stories have since evolved into traditional Chinese holidays. Other conceptshave extended to outside of mythology into spiritual symbols such as Door god and the Imperial guardian lions.
Along with the belief of the holy, there is also the evil. Practices such as Taoist exorcism fighting mogwai and
jiang shi with peachwood swords are just some of the concepts passed down from generations. A few Chinesefortune telling rituals are still in use today after thousands of years of refinement.
[edit] Literature
Main article: Chinese literatureChinese literature began with record keeping and divination on Oracle Bones. The extensive collection of books
that have been preserved since the Zhou Dynasty demonstrate just how advanced the intellectuals were at one
time. Indeed, the era of the Zhou Dynasty is often looked to as the touchstone of Chinese cultural development.The Five Cardinal Points are the foundation for almost all major studies. Concepts covered within the Chinese
classic texts present a wide range of subjects including poetry, astrology, astronomy, calendar , constellations
and many others. Some of the most important early texts include I Ching and Shujing within the Four Books
and Five Classics. Many Chinese concepts such as Yin and Yang, Qi, Four Pillars of Destiny in relation toheaven and earth were all theorized in the dynastic periods.
The Song Dynasty was also a period of great scientific literature, and saw the creation of works such as Su
Song's Xin Yixiang Fayao and Shen Kuo's Dream Pool Essays. There were also enormous works of historiography and large encyclopedias, such as Sima Guang's Zizhi Tongjian of 1084 AD or the Four Great
Books of Song fully compiled and edited by the 11th century. Notable confucianists, taoists and scholars of all
classes have made significant contributions to and from documenting history to authoring saintly concepts thatseem hundred of years ahead of time. Many novels such as Four Great Classical Novels spawned countless
fictional stories. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, Chinese culture would embark on a new era with written
vernacular Chinese for the common citizens. Hu Shih and Lu Xun would be pioneers in modern literature.
[edit] Music
A performer of Chinese opera
Main article: Music of ChinaThe music of China dates back to the dawn of Chinese civilization with documents and artifacts providing
evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BCE - 256 BCE). Some of the
oldest written music dates back to Confucius's time. The first major well-documented flowering of Chinesemusic was for the qin during the Tang Dynasty, although the instrument is known to have played a major part
before the Han Dynasty.
There are many musical instruments that are integral to Chinese culture, such as the zheng (zither with movable bridges), qin (bridgeless zither), sheng and xiao (vertical flute), the erhu (alto fiddle or bowed lute), pipa (pear-
shaped plucked lute), and many others.
[edit] Arts
A Tang Dynasty tri-color Chinese glazed horse circa 700 CEFor all major visual, performance or artistic categories, see Chinese art.
Different forms of art have swayed under the influence of great philosophers, teachers, religious figures and
even political figures. Chinese art encompasses all facets of fine art, folk art and performance art. Porcelain pottery was one of the first forms of art in the Palaeolithic period. Early Chinese music and poetry was
influenced by the Book of Songs, and the Chinese poet and statesman Qu Yuan.
Chinese painting became a highly appreciated art in court circles encompassing a wide variety of Shan shui with specialized styles such as Ming Dynasty painting. Early Chinese music was based on percussion
instruments, which later gave away to stringed and reed instruments. By the Han dynasty papercutting became a
new art form after the invention of paper. Chinese opera would also be introduced and branched regionally inadditional to other performance formats such as variety arts.
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[edit] Martial arts
Demonstrating Kung Fu at Daxiangguo Monastery, Kaifeng, Henan.
Main articles: Chinese martial arts and List of Chinese martial arts
China is one of the main birth places of Eastern martial arts. Chinese martial arts are collectively given thename Kung Fu ((gong) "achievement" or "merit", and (fu) "man", thus "human achievement") or (previously
and in some modern contexts) Wushu ("martial arts" or "military arts"). China also includes the home to the
well-respected Shaolin Monastery and Wudang Mountains. The first generation of art started more for the purpose of survival and warfare than art. Over time, some art forms have branched off, while others haveretained a distinct Chinese flavor. Regardless, China has produced some of the most renowned martial artists
including Wong Fei Hung and many others. The arts have also co-existed with a variety of weapons including
the more standard 18 arms. Legendary and controversial moves like Dim Mak are also praised and talked aboutwithin the culture.
[edit] Fashion
Men and women in xuanduan formal wear at a Confucian ceremony in China
A north corner of Forbidden City, featuring classic construction style
Main article: Clothing of China
Different social classes in different eras boast different fashion trends, the colour yellow is usually reserved for the emperor. China's fashion history covers hundreds of years with some of the most colourful and diverse
arrangements. During the Qing Dynasty, China's last imperial dynasty dramatic shift of clothing occurred, the
clothing of the era before the Qing Dynasty is referred to as Hanfu or traditional Han Chinese clothing. Manysymbols such as phoenix have been used for decorative as well as economic purposes.
[edit] ArchitectureMain article: Chinese architectureChinese architecture, examples for which can be found from over 2,000 years ago, has long been a hallmark of
the culture. There are certain features common to Chinese architecture, regardless of specific region or use. Themost important is its emphasis on width, as the wide halls of the Forbidden City serve as an example. Incontrast, Western architecture emphasize on height, though there are exceptions such as pagodas.
Another important feature is symmetry, which connotes a sense of grandeur as it applies to everything from
palaces to farmhouses. One notable exception is in the design of gardens, which tends to be as asymmetrical as
possible. Like Chinese scroll paintings, the principle underlying the garden's composition is to create enduringflow, to let the patron wander and enjoy the garden without prescription, as in nature herself. Feng shui has
played an important part in structural development.
[edit] Cuisine
Chinese meal in Suzhou with rice, shrimp, eggplant, fermented tofu, vegetable stir-fry, vegetarian duck with
meat and bamboo The overwhelmingly large variety of Chinese cuisine comes mainly from the practice of dynastic period, when
emperors would host banquets with 100 dishes per meal.[10] A countless number of imperial kitchen staff and
concubines were involved in the food preparation process. Over time, many dishes became part of the everyday-citizen culture. Some of the highest quality restaurants with recipes close to the dynastic periods include
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Fangshan restaurant in Beihai Park Beijing and the Oriole Pavilion.[10] Arguably all branches of Hong Kong
eastern style or even American Chinese food are in some ways rooted from the original dynastic cuisines.
[edit] LeisureA number of games and pastimes are popular within Chinese culture. The most common game is Mah Jong.
The same pieces are used for other styled games such as Shanghai Solitaire. Others include Pai Gow, Pai gow poker and other bone domino games. Weiqi and Xiangqi are also popular. Ethnic games like Chinese yo-yo are
also part of the culture.
[edit] GalleryThe Chinese Dragon, Guardian Lions and incense comprise three symbols within traditional Chinese
culture. No. 4 of Ten Thousand Scenes (十萬圖之四). Painting by Ren Xiong, a pioneer of the Shanghai School
of Chinese art circa 1850
A koi pond is a signature Chinese scenery depicted in countless art work.
"Nine Dragons" handscroll section, by Chen Rong, 1244 CE, Chinese Song Dynasty, Museum of Fine
Arts, Boston.