Introduction to Chinese History and Culture

Introduction to Chinese History, Cultures, Traditions, and Beliefs

• China is located in East Asia, the third largest country in the world, with a land area of 9,561,000 square kilometers and over 1.2 billion people.
• It is geographically divided into two regions: Outer (Western) China and Inner (Eastern) China.
• Inner China, including China Proper and Manchuria, is densely populated.
• Beijing is the capital and second largest city (after Shanghai). It has hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.
• China is home to various dynasties, internal struggles, and political transformations. Communism is one major political transformation.
• Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam are the main religions.
• The Great Wall of China, over 2,400 km long, was built in the 3rd century BCE to protect from invaders. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
• China has diverse forest types, ranging from cold coniferous forests in the north, supporting moose and black bears, to subtropical forests in the center and south.
• China became a communist state in 1949.
• The Cultural Revolution, designed by Mao Tse-tung in the 1960's, aimed to replace the existing power structure with a more revolutionary one.
• The People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC) both claim the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, with the southernmost claim reaching Zengmu Ansha (James Shoal).

Famous People

• Confucius was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher from the Spring and Autumn Period. He authored or edited the Five Classics and his teachings are found in the Analects. Confucius championed strong family values.
• Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese revolutionary, first president, and founding father of the Republic of China. His primary contribution is the Three Principles of the People, which consist of nationalism, democracy, and the people's livelihood.
• Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of China in the 20th century, leading the Northern Expedition and becoming chairman of the Nationalist government.
• Mao Zedong, also known as Mao Tse-Tung, was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla strategist, Marxist political philosopher, architect, and founding father of the People's Republic of China.

Historical Places

• Badaling Great Wall: The most visited section of the Great Wall.
• The Forbidden City: The Chinese Imperial Palace, home to emperors, and a World Heritage Site (largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures).
• The Temple of Heaven: China's largest complex of ancient sacrificial buildings.
• Yungang Grottoes: Buddhist cave art with over 51,000 statues.

Significant Events

• The Tripartite Confrontation of the Three Kingdoms: A period in Chinese history between 220-265 CE, with conflict between the Wei, Shu, and Wu states.
• The Xi'an Incident: A significant historical episode during the Chinese Civil War.

Culture

• Chinese culture is highly influenced by Confucianism and conservative philosophies.
• Important components include: literature, music, visual arts, martial arts, cuisine, fashion, architecture, and leisure.
• Chinese classic texts include: concepts of poetry, astrology, astronomy, calendar, divination, constellations etc.
• Chinese art encompasses fine arts, folk art, and performance art (porcelain pottery, painting).

Music, Art, and Fashion

• Youlan or the Solitary Orchid, is one of Confucius's oldest written music pieces.
• Chinese orchestras contain bowed strings, woodwinds, plucked strings, and percussion.
• Chinese art encompasses aspects of fine art, folk art, and performance art (porcelain pottery, painting).
• Martial Arts, are often called Kung Fu or Wushu ("martial arts" or "military arts").
• In Chinese fashion the color yellow or red is often reserved for the emperor.

Architecture

• Chinese architecture emphasizes width, exhibiting grandeur in halls and symmetry.
• Feng shui plays an important role in structural development.

Literature

• Chinese literature has roots in the Hundred Schools of Thought in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

Traditions

• Naming a baby before birth is considered bad luck in Chinese culture.
• Chinese babies' date and time of birth are determined by Eight characters of Chinese Astrology, that influence the entire life.
• Families in Chinese culture are generally tight knit, living under one roof.

Chinese Marriage and Wedding Traditions

• Traditional Chinese marriages involved pre-arrangements between families.
• Romantic love was, however, allowed.

Chinese Food

• Famous Chinese cuisines include Cantonese, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Sichuan.
• Techniques such as braising and stewing are frequently used.
• Regional delicacies like Peiking Roast Duck and Hairy Crab are well-known.

Recreation

• San Mao (three feathers): a game using three feathered shuttlecocks and wooden paddles.
• Jian zi is a gate game similar to hacky sack.
• Ti Jian Xi is a hacky sack like game where players kick a large shuttlecock around a circle

Beliefs

• Pre-modern China had beliefs about death and practices, influencing popular religion.
• Religions like Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and others influenced Chinese beliefs and practices.

Government

• Reverent attention to business, sincerity, economy in expenditure, love for others, and employment of the people in seasons are key government principles.
• A well-governed country values poverty and mean conditions, while riches and honor are valued in poorly run countries.
• The Art of governing is about keeping affairs before the mind tirelessly, and practicing without deviation.

Education

• Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is dangerous.
• Important stages of life were marked by events like when a person was 15, 30, 40, 50, or 70 yrs old.