Ancient China Elements of Civilization
Background Rivers were important to the development of China Landforms and climate also influenced the culture There were many differences in climate throughout China Monsoons bring rains from the South China Sea towards the southern half of China The rain does not reach the northern, cooler part of China The climate there is very dry, people depended on Rivers
Background What is the “Middle Kingdom? ” Geographic barriers like mountains and seas cut China off from other lands They had no knowledge of other cultures like Greece, Rome, India, or Egypt They thought that they were at the center of the world and called themselves the “Middle Kingdom”
China’s Geography The development of civilization in early China was aided by features like long rivers, fertile soils, temperate climates, and isolated valleys. Rivers, Soils, Climates Loess China’s first civilizations developed in river valleys Annual floods deposited rich soil, loess, on flood plains Two major rivers supplied water for earliest civilizations Valley of Huang He particularly fertile due to loess Chang Jiang, also called Yangzi Huang He, or Yellow River Both flow east from Plateau of Tibet to Yellow Sea Fine dusty soil Carried into China by desert winds
China’s Geography Beginnings of Civilization Archaeological discoveries suggest Chinese civilization began in Huang He valley People started growing crops there 9, 000 years ago Xia Legend says earliest Chinese ruled by Xia dynasty No written, archaeological evidence Xia dynasty existed Most historians date beginning of Chinese civilization to rise of Shang dynasty
Crops Most of eastern China covered with fertile soils; some regions better suited than others for growing certain crops Southern China—warm, receives plenty of rainfall, excellent region for growing rice Further north—climate cooler, drier; suitable for grains, wheat, millet Isolation Combination of rivers for irrigation, fertile soil for planting allowed Chinese to thrive, as did China’s relative isolation Mountains, hills, desert protected China from invasion Himalaya Mountains separate southern China from India, rest of southern Asia; vast Gobi Desert prevented reaching China from west
Background Early civilizations developed near rivers China had a few rivers that provided resources to be successful Chang Jiang River (longest river) Huang He River Yangzi River China’s rivers overflowed just like others we have studied Provides fertile soil for farming The Huang He River is also known as the Yellow River because of the Loess is yellow-brown soil that the Yellow River carries along
Background What is “China’s Sorrow? ” The river was unpredictable and dangerous and often killed The river also brought life through fertile soil Destructive floods would come without warning To control the flooding the people built dikes or walls that hold back water
Summarize What geographic features influenced life in early China? .
New Philosophies The conflicts of the late Zhou period led many Chinese thinkers to question the nature of society and people’s roles in it. Effort to make sense of chaos led to creation of many new Chinese philosophies, or ways of looking at the world Of many philosophies created during late Zhou period, two became influential in later Chinese history: Confucianism Daoism
Confucianism Confucius Confucianism based on teachings of scholar named Kongfuzi, better known as Confucius, who thought people should treat one another humanely Should express love, respect for others, honor one’s ancestors Love and Respect Believed that love, respect had disappeared and was responsible for violence in society; restoring respect for tradition would make society stable Thoughts on how to improve society collected in book, Analects Ruler should treat subjects fairly; subjects reward ruler with respect, loyalty People should respect members of family, devote selves to public service Confucian ideas spread elsewhere in Asia, including Korea, Japan, Vietnam
Confucianism K’ung Fu Tze Born in 551 BC Lived during Zhou/Chou dynasty Time of lax morality Wandered through many states, advising rulers Writing Dealt with individual morality Political power of rulers Social ethics Afterlife Similar to Buddhist or Taoist
Confucianism The Five Relationships ruler and people parent and child older brother and younger brother husband wife between friend and friend
Confucianism Parts of teaching Li: includes ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc Hsiao: love within the family love of parents for their children Love of children for their parents Yi: righteousness Xin: honesty and trustworthiness Jen: benevolence, humaneness towards others; the highest Confucian virtue Chung: loyalty to the state Important texts – the Si Shu Lun Yu: the analects of Confucius Chung Yung: doctrine of the mean Ta Hsuech: the greatest learning Meng Tzu: analects of philosopher Meng Tzu
Daoism Definition Yin and Yang Unlike Confucianism, which focuses on improving society, Daoism encourages people to retreat from laws of society, yield to law of nature Daoism embraced Chinese concept of yin and yang, representing balancing aspect of nature—male, female; dark, light; hot, cold Heart of Daoism is concept of the dao, or the way Dao is the limitless force that is part of all creation Through the dao, all things in nature connected Finding one’s place in nature allows person to achieve harmony with universe Important for two to remain balanced for perfect harmony Origins of Daoist teachings attributed to philosopher named Laozi Wrote book called Dao De Jing Neither can exist without other Laozi worshipped by some as a god
Taoism Loa Tsu (Lao Tzu, Laozi, Loatze) Lived approx. 604 -531 BC Lived in a feudal society with lots of warfare Wrote book: Tao-te-Chine (the way of virtue) Tao (Dao) The path or the way (undefinable) Way to avoid conflict (esp feudal conflict) Power which surrounds and flows through all things
Taoism Balance – between 2 extremes no love with out hate no peace without war no male without female no light without dark Believers goal: be one with the Tao Gods are manifestations of the Tao Time is cyclical, not linear Yin & Yang Yin formed breath of earth Yang formed the breath of heaven Pair of opposites seen through out the universe Intervention of human civilization has upset balance
Taoism Chi (air, breath) Life force that has been entrusted to each person Developing one’s virtues nurtures the Chi Being nice to another means they will reciprocate the kindness Believe people are compassionate by nature Feng Shui (wind & water) Consult Chinese calendar for birth sign Use I-Ching (book of changes) Creates balance between ying/yang, 5 elements and environment Seeks to maximize balance of Chi Simple balance – no clutter Sharp angles bad – cut the Chi
Some Lasting Effects Daoism eventually proved less influential than Confucianism in Chinese history Still played major role in later dynasties Idea of balance key concept in China for centuries as result of Daoist teaching Daoist philosophy led many followers to work for preservation, protection of natural environment
Buddhism Gautama Siddhartha (63 -483 BC) Born a prince, raised in luxury Took 3 trips outside the palace Saw old, sick, and dead Becomes an ascetic (abandons worldly pleasures) Search for enlightenment Medidates under Bodhi tree God Mara (death and desire) tries to prevent Finds the ‘middle way’ – between deprivation and gratification 4 noble truths and 8 fold path
Buddhism 4 noble truths 1 – all life is characterized by suffering 2 – suffering is caused by desire/craving 3 – suffering can be stopped if you stop desire/craving 4 – stop desire/craving w/8–fold path 8 fold path Right: views intentions Speech livelihood Effort Conduct concentration mindfulness
Buddhism Important concepts Karma: for every action there is a moral reaction Dharma: fulfilling your social role – avoids bad karma Samsara: cycle of death and rebirth Nirvana: enlightenment – breaking out of samsara Bodhisattvas: people who have achieved enlightenment, stay on earth to help others Buddha Not a god, a man (role model) Koans – illogical riddles used to gain insight
Contrast What is one difference between Confucianism and Daoism?
Comparing Philosophies 1. A student knows that they are failing a class. Students from each of these doctrines know they will be in trouble when their parents find out. How do they handle this situation? ) 2. A student's friends smoke and are trying to get them to start. How do they handle this situation? 3. A student has just found $20 in the hall. What should they do? 4. A student's parents have just spent a lot of money on a new outfit. The student has been playing around and has gotten ink all over it. What should they tell their parents, or should they? 5. A student really likes a new student in school, but all the other students are making fun of the new student's clothes. How should the first student act? 6. A student knows that an older brother or sister is cheating on tests. How should the student act? 7. A student sees an opportunity to take something they have really wanted, without being caught. How should that student act?
The Shang Dynasty According to ancient Chinese records, the Shang dynasty formed around 1766 BC, although many archaeologists believe it actually began somewhat later than that. Government and Society China ruled by strong monarchy At capital city, Anyang, kings surrounded by court Rituals performed to strengthen kingdom, keep safe Order Agricultural Society King’s governors ruled distant parts of kingdom Shang China largely agricultural King also had large army at disposal Prevented rebellions, fought outside opponents Most tended crops in fields Farmers called on to fight in army, work on building projects—tombs, palaces, walls
Shang Elite Leisure Ruling elite had free time to pursue leisure activities, hunting for sport Wealthy enjoyed collecting expensive bronze, jade objects Afterlife Tombs held remains of sacrificed prisoners of war Believed in afterlife where ruler would need riches, servants Artifacts Much of what is known comes from studying royal tombs Contained valuable items made of bronze, jade Ancestor Worship Shang offered gifts to deceased ancestors to keep them happy in afterlife Steam from ritual meals nourished ancestors’ spirits
Oracle Bones As part of worship, Shang asked ancestors for advice Sought advice through use of oracle bones Inscribed bits of animal bone, turtle shell Living person asked question of ancestor Hot piece of metal applied to oracle bone resulting in cracks on bone’s surface Specially trained priests interpreted meaning of cracks to learn answer
Shang Achievements and Decline Writing Development of Chinese writing closely tied to use of oracle bones Earliest examples of Chinese writing, questions written on bones themselves Early Shang texts used picture symbols to represent objects, ideas Bronze Shang religion led to great advances in working with bronze Highly decorative bronze vessels, objects created for religious rituals Also built huge structures like tombs; created calendar, first money systems End of Dynasty Shang ruled for more than 600 years, until about 1100 BC Ruling China’s growing population proved too much for Shang Armies from nearby tribe, Zhou, invaded, established new ruling dynasty
Summarize How did religion influence other aspects of Shang culture?
The Zhou Dynasty Beginning around 1100 BC, the Zhou rules China for several centuries. The Zhou dynasty is divided into two periods. During the Western Zhou, kings ruled from Xian in a peaceful period. Later conflict arose, kings moved east to Luoyang, beginning the Eastern Zhou period. Government When Zhou conquered Shang, leaders worried Chinese people would not accept them Dynastic Cycle Zhou said Shang overthrown because they lost gods’ favor Introduced idea they ruled by Mandate of Heaven Later rulers used Mandate of Heaven to explain dynastic cycle, rise and fall of dynasties in China Gods would support just ruler, not allow anyone corrupt to hold power If dynasty lost power, it obviously had become corrupt In that case, they said, it was the will of the gods that dynasty be overthrown and a new one take power.
Zhou Achievements Before Zhou, Chinese metalwork done almost exclusively in bronze Zhou learned to use iron, became backbone of economy Iron was strong, could be cast more cheaply, quickly than bronze Iron weapons strengthened Zhou army, as did new weapons like catapult and creation of China’s first cavalry Growth Population grew under Zhou Farmers learned new techniques, increased size of harvest, created food surpluses; cities also grew Roads, canals allowed better transportation, communication Introduced coins, use of chopsticks Decline of the Zhou Conflict arose during latter part of Zhou dynasty Clan leaders within China rose up against king As time passed, more and more local leaders turned against Zhou, further weakening rule
Small States Fight Result of rebellions was Warring States Period 403 BC to 221 BC, number of small states fought each other for land, power Zhou still nominally in charge, but power almost nonexistent by mid-200 s BC Qin, new dynasty, arose to bring end to Warring States Period, Zhou dynasty
Analyze How did China change under the Zhou?
Silk Culture Legendary Beginnings Lady His-Ling-Shih (wife of Yellow Emperor) began raising silk worms and invented the loom (believed to have reigned approx. 3000 BC) Excavated silkworm cocoon dated between 2600 to 2300 BC Other evidence suggests silk cultivation began much earlier
Silk Culture The worm Many varieties throughout the world Chinese species is blind, flightless Lays 500 eggs in 4 -6 days 100 eggs weigh less than 1 gram Silk worm has a smoother, finer filament than other species
Silk Culture Secrets of Cultivation (sericulture) Need to be carefully changed from 65 to 77 degrees to hatch Baby worms are feed night and day until they are plump Roomful of worms have to be kept at a constant temperature – sounds like heavy rain falling in the roof Have to be kept warm when cocooning and isolated from noises and smells Produce white fluffy looking cocoons After 8 days in a warm place, worms are steamed/baked to kill the worms
Silk Culture Cultivation Entire process of feeding to weaving takes 6 months Dip puff balls in water to loosen filaments Unwind filaments onto a spool One cocoon is between 600 -700 meters long 5 -8 filaments are twisted together to make thread Considered part of household duties for women
Silk Culture Product Clothes are light weight Warm in winter Cool in summer Silk Privilege First – reserved only for emperor and family Wore robe of white inside palace, yellow outside (color of the earth) Other classes began wearing silk Silk developed as an industrial product Instruments, fishing lines, bowstrings, paper
Silk Culture Tribute paid in rice and silk Currency – items were priced in lengths of silk Lost monopoly in 200 AD when Chinese immigrants began to move to Korea West gained sericulture in 550 AD when two monks appeared in Justinian’s court with eggs in hollowed staffs Silk Road Precious commodity to foreigners Traders traveled the silk road overland – for months at a time – to get silk Important artifacts found along the Silk Road
Rice Culture History Chinese have been cultivating rice for thousands of years Strong dependence and work put into rice added to strong rural essence Chinese culture can be called ‘rice culture’ Hunters and gathers left seeds in low-laying areas and developed system of rice farming Originated in Yellow (Huang He) and Hanshui basins Large areas of land viable for rice planting
Rice Culture Evidence of rice farming as long as 3 to 4 thousand years Widely accepted by Zhou dynasty (1100771 BC) By Han dynasty, rice was a staple (260 BC 220 AD) Developments Complicated irrigation techniques were required for farming Year round – ploughing spring, weeding in summer, harvesting in autumn, hoarding in spring Used to brew wine and offer as sacrifices to gods and ancestors
Rice Culture Central part of Spring Festival – lunar new year Gao – specialty rice used for celebrations Rice dumplings made on 15 th night of the 1 st lunar month – for luck Throw rice in river 5 th day of 5 th month to prevent fish from eating the body of legendary leader Qu Yuan (Chu official) 9 th day of 9 th month eat double 9 festival cakes 8 th day of 12 th month people eat porridge with rice, beans, nuts, and dried fruit Believed that Sakyamuni achieved Buddha-hood on this day
The Yangtze River, called Chang Jiang in Chinese, is the longest river in China and becomes well-known by its Three Gorges scenery.
Papermaking Chinese legend tells that the new invention of paper was presented to the Emperor in the year 105 AD by Cai Lun. Archeological evidence, however, shows that paper was in use two hundred years before then. Either way, the Chinese were significantly ahead of the rest of the world. The craft of papermaking relied upon an abundance of bamboo fiber to produce a fine quality paper. In China the papermaker uses only the traditional materials and methods to produce fine art paper.
Gunpowder Imagine their enemy's surprise when the Chinese first demonstrated their newest invention in the eighth century AD. Chinese scientists discovered that an explosive mixture could be produced by combining sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter (potassium nitrate). The military applications were clear. New weapons were rapidly developed, including rockets and others that were launched from a bamboo tube. Once again, the raw materials at hand, like bamboo, contributed ideas for new technologies.
Abacus The abacus is a calculator for adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying. Tests have shown that, for operations of addition and subtraction, the abacus is still faster than the electronic calculator.
Silk China is the first country in the world that discovered the use of silk. Silkworms were domesticated as early as 5000 years ago. The production of silk thread and fabrics gave rise to the art of embroidery. Historical documents record the use of embroidery in China as early as 2255 B. C. Archaeological finds, however, place the beginnings of embroidery at some point during the Shang dynasty(1766 B. C. -1122 B. C. )
Wheelbarrow The wheelbarrow was invented by the Chinese. The Chinese wheelbarrow had a single wheel in the middle of the wheelbarrow. Farmers used the wheelbarrow to take a load of produce to the market place. Builders used the wheelbarrow to carry heavy building supplies. Soldiers used the wheelbarrow to remove injured or dead people from the battlefield.
The Terra Cotta Army More than 35 years ago, in 1974, Chinese farmers were digging a well in central China when they discovered an important archaeological site. They discovered fragments from the burial grounds of a Chinese emperor, Shi Huangdi (Shee-hwang-dee). His name is also spelled Shihuangdi.
Qin was the name of the part of China he ruled. He had his army of more than one million soldiers conquer the entire country in 221 B. C. He united all the little kingdoms he conquered and became an emperor. An emperor is the supreme ruler of an empire. Like most Chinese, he believed in taking the real world with him when he died. He wanted his tomb to be spectacular, and he certainly would need an army to protect him when he died. Therefore, he ordered a terra cotta (clay) army be built. He ordered that the terra cotta soldiers be set up in formation with their backs to him. The terra cotta soldiers and horses would stand guard in order to protect him from attack.
As many as 700, 000 people worked for more than thirty years to make the 7, 000 - 8, 000 soldiers, horses and chariots. When they were first made more than 2, 000 years ago, the soldiers were brightly painted and held real weapons. While molds were used to make the bodies, no two soldiers were alike. They had different hair styles, shoes, expressions and uniforms. Over the years, the paint has faded, and vandals have taken the weapons. Most of the bodies are smashed because the wooden ceiling that was above them fell, and terra cotta breaks easily. Therefore, most of the soldiers are in bits and pieces. Archaeologists carefully sift through the dirt inch by inch to find the tiniest parts.
Farming, Life ·Most of the people of ancient China were peasant farmers who grew crops on small plots of land. Every member of the family helped grow and harvest the crops. ·Farmers supplied food to the army and to people in the city. ·Farmers in the north grew wheat, millet, and barley to eat. Farmers in the south grew rice to eat. ·Farmers may have kept pigs and chickens, but dairy cows were not kept due to a lack of pasture land. ·Oxen and water buffalo were used to pull carts and plows.
Farming, Life ·Villagers dug ditches and canals to water the fields. ·Many farmers used simple wooden or stone tools even after bronze and iron weapons were invented. ·The lives of peasant farmers consisted of many long, backbreaking hours tending to crops. ·Peasant farmers also had to serve in the army and help with government projects such as building walls and canals. ·Poor people spent most of their time growing and preparing food, or doing heavy work such as digging and carrying large loads. ·Farmers use a method known as terracing which is cutting flat plains into hillsides. They would farm on the flat plains. The flat plains looked like shelves coming out of the side of a hill. Cutting flat plains into the hillside would also slow erosion in a hilly area.
Food ·Poor people ate simple meals. Their main foods were rice, grains, millet, vegetables, and beans. If they ate meat, it was usually chicken or wild bird. Once in a while, they ate fish. ·Wealthy people ate pork, lamb, venison, duck, goose, pigeon. For special occasions they might eat snakes, dogs, snails, sparrows, or bear claws. ·Both rich and poor people used spices, salt, sugar, honey, and soy sauce to add flavor to the food. ·Vegetables and fruits were always included in a wealthy person's diet. ·To save fuel, food was chopped into small pieces and cooked quickly in an iron frying pan, or wok, for a few minutes only. ·Steaming was also a common cooking method with the rich and poor. ·People usually drank tea. ·Water was usually boiled before drinking it.
Clothing ·Clothing was a mark of class in ancient China. The type of fabric, the color and decorations on the fabric, jewelry, headgear and footwear all told something about the wearer's position in society. ·High-ranking people dressed in the finest silk in public. ·Peasants wore a long, shirt-like garment, made of undyed hemp fiber. Hemp is a rough fabric woven from plant fibers. ·The type of jewelry worn showed the position of that person in society. ·A man almost always wore a hat in public. The hat showed the wearer's occupation and status in society.
Clothing ·Women's long hair was arranged in topknots and held in place by hairpins and other ornaments. ·Wealthy women wore elaborate make-up. ·People wore thick padded clothing in winter. ·From the Sui dynasty onward, only the emperor was allowed to wear yellow. Ordinary people had to dress in blue and black. White was for mourning, and children could not wear white while their parents were alive.
Homes ·Farmers usually made their homes from mud bricks with reed or tile roofs. The bottom floor was often built below ground to help keep the family warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. ·Some Chinese built their house with timber or bamboo poles. A timber frame held up the roof. The outer walls were sometimes made of brick. The Chinese preferred wood to stone for building because it looked more natural and it was less likely to injure people if the house collapsed during an earthquake. ·Poor people often cooked outside in the open air. Wealth people had a kitchen indoors on the bottom floor. Servants would also live on the bottom floor. ·Charcoal or coal was burned in the fireplace to keep the house warm. ·A traditional home was divided into different sections by courtyards.
Beliefs and Customs ·Families in China usually included many generations living together - often under the same roof. The oldest male was usually in charge of everyone in the house. ·There was little individualism in Chinese families. Decisions were made that benefited the entire family and family honor and family achievements were more important than individual needs or achievements. ·Age demanded respect. The old were considered wise and were treated with honor. ·Children were taught to respect and obey their elders. ·Children were taught that they must care for their mothers and fathers in sickness and old age. ·Boys learned their family's trade, and girls learned to manage a household.
Social Class ·The emperor was at the top of the social system. ·Ancient China was divided into four main classes. ·Scholars were respected above everyone else because they could read and write. ·Peasants were the next most important because the country depended on them to produce food. ·Artisans (people who worked with their hands) were next because they used their skills to make things that everyone needed, such as weapons, tools, and cooking utensils. ·The lowest class were merchants because they made nothing. All they did was trade goods. ·Soldiers who made a career of being in the army were not highly regarded and did not belong to a class of their own.
Chinese Zodiac The Chinese Zodiac is a twelve-year cycle. It started from Buddhism. According to the story, Buddha called all the animals of China to his bedside, but only twelve animals came. Because he wanted to honor the animals for their devotion, he created a year for each animal. The twelve animals that appeared were the rat, ox, tiger, hare (rabbit), dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and the pig. Each animal has its own special characteristics. Many people believe that these characteristics affect events that happen during the year. In addition, some people believe that people born in a certain year will have qualities of that year's animal.
Animal Dates 1948, 1960, 1972, Rat 1984, 1996, 2008 1949, 1961, 1973 Ox Characteristics charming, bright, creative, thrifty steadfast, dependable, methodical 1985, 1997, 2009 Tiger 1950, 1962, 1974, dynamic, warm, sincere, a leader 1986, 1998, 2010 Hare/Rabbit Dragon 1951, 1963, 1975, humble, artistic, clear-sighted 1987, 1999, 2011 1952, 1964, 1976, flamboyant, lucky, imaginative 1988, 2000, 2012 Snake 1953, 1965, 1977, discreet, refined, intelligent 1989, 2001, 2013 Horse 1954, 1966, 1978, social, competitive, stubborn 1990, 2002, 2014
Animal Sheep Dates 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 Monkey Characteristics artistic, fastidious, indecisive 1956, 1968, 1980, witty, popular, good-humored, versatile 1992, 2004, 2016 Rooster 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 1958, 1970, 1982, Dog Boar/Pig aggressive, alert, perfectionist honest, conservative, sympathetic, loyal 1994, 2006, 2018 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 caring, industrious, home-loving
Compass By the third century AD, Chinese scientists had studied and learned much about magnetism in nature. For example, they knew that iron ore, called magnetite, tended to align itself in a North/South position. Scientists learned to "make magnets" by heating pieces of ore to red hot temperatures and then cooling the pieces in a North/South position. The magnet was then placed on a piece of reed and floated in a bowl of water marked with directional bearings. These first navigational compasses were widely used on Chinese ships by the eleventh century AD.
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