Information about Culture Of China

The Culture of China (Chinese: 中國文化) is home to one of the world's oldest and most complex civilizations covering a history of over 5,000 years. The nation covers a large geographical region with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns, cities and provinces. Chinese culture (Chinese: 中華文化) is a broad term used to describe the cultural foundation, even among Chinese-speaking regions outside of mainland China.

People in the culture

Identity

Main articles: Ethnic groups in Chinese history and Ethnic minorities in China

Many ethnic groups have existed in China. In terms of numbers, however, the pre-eminent ethnic group is the Han Chinese. Throughout history, many groups have been assimilated into neighbouring ethnicities or disappeared without a trace. At the same time, many within the Han identity have maintained distinct 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 cultural identity within the community has to do with distinguishing the family name.

Regional

Traditional Chinese Culture covers a large geographical territories, each region is usually divided into distinct sub-cultures. Using modern names, here are some distinction:

• The Yellow River basin areas include Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei and Shandong
• The Yangtze River areas include Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangsu.

Society

Structure

Since 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 high in the hierarchy, and the rest of the population under regular Chinese law^[1]. Ancient Chinese education also has a long history especially with the Imperial examination. Trades and crafts were usually taught by a sifu. The female historian Ban Zhao wrote the Lessons for Women in the Han Dynasty and outlined the four virtues women must abide to. Chinese marriage and Taoist sexual practices are some of the customs and rituals found in society.

Values

Main articles: Chinese philosophy and Religion in China

Most social values are derived from Confucianism and Taoism with a combination of conservatism. 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 the next-life.

Language

Main articles: Chinese language and History of Standard Mandarin

Spoken Chinese consisted of a number of Chinese dialects throughout history. In the Ming Dynasty standard Mandarin was nationalized. Even so, it wasn't until the Republic of China era in the 1900s when there was any noticeable result in promoting a common unified language in China.

The ancient written standard was Classical Chinese. It was used for thousands of years, but was mostly reserved for scholars and intellectuals. By the 20th century, millions of citizens, especially those outside of the imperial court were illiterate<ref name="Mente" />. Only after the May 4th Movement did the push for Vernacular Chinese begin. This allowed common citizens to read since it was modeled after the linguistics and phonology of a spoken language.

Mythology and spirituality

Main articles: Chinese mythology, Chinese folk religion, and Traditional Chinese holidays

A large part of Chinese culture is based on the notion that a spiritual 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. While many deities are part of the tradition, some of the most recognized holy figures include Guan Yin, Jade Emperor and Budai. Other concepts have 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 Chinese fortune telling rituals are still in use today after thousands of years of refinement.

Health

A large part of traditional Chinese culture is about finding the balance of Yin and Yang in relation to Qi, health and the meridian system in order to find harmony. Traditional Chinese medicine consists of a number of treatments including Chinese herbology and acupuncture. Other less intrusive forms of health improvement include qigong and meditation.

Literature

Main article: Chinese literature

The extensive collection of books that have been preserved since the Zhou Dynasty demonstrate just how advanced the intellectuals have been 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 is 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 to heaven and earth were all theorized in the dynastic periods.

Notable confucianists, taoists and scholars of all class have made significant contributions from documenting history to authoring saintly concepts that seem 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 Vernacular Chinese for the common citizens. Hu Shih and Lu Xun would be pioneers in modern literature.

Music

Main article: Music of China

The 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 BC - 256 BC). Some of the oldest written music dates back to Confucius's time. The first major well-documented flowering of Chinese music was for the qin during the Tang Dynasty, though it is known to have played a major part before the Han Dynasty.

Arts

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 form of art in the Palaeolithic period. Early Chinese music and poetry was influenced by the Book of Songs, Confucius 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 string 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 in additional to other performance formats such as variety arts.

Martial arts

Main articles: Chinese martial arts and List of Chinese martial arts

China is the original birth place of Eastern martial arts. The names of martial arts were called Kung Fu or its first name Wushu. 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. Overtime, some art forms have branched off, while others have retained a distinct Chinese flavor. Regardless, China has brewed some of the most renowned martial artists including Wong Fei Hung and many others. The art have also co-existed with a variety of including the more standard 18 arms. Legendary and controversial moves like Dim Mak are also praised and talked about within the culture.

Fashion

Main article: Fashion of China

Different social class in different time eras boast different fashion trends. China's fashion history covers thousands of years with some of the most colorful and diverse arrangements. Fashionable but questionable practices such as footbinding have also been part of the culture. Many symbols such as phoenix have been used for decorative as well as political purposes.

Architecture

Forbidden City, featuring classic construction style

Main article: Chinese architecture

Chinese architecture, examples of 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. The most important is its emphasis on width, as the wide halls of the Forbidden City serve as an example. In contrast, 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 enduring flow, 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.

Cuisine

Main article: Chinese cuisine

The overwhelmingly large variety mainly comes from the emperors hosting a banquet of 100 dishes each meal^[2]. Countless number of imperial kitchen staff and concubines were involved in the food preparation process. Overtime, many dishes became part of the everyday-citizen culture. Some of the highest quality restaurants with recipes close to the dynastic periods include Fangshan restaurant in Beihai Park Beijing and the Oriole Pavilion<ref name="Kong" />. Arguably all branches of Hong Kong eastern style or even American Chinese food are in some ways rooted from the original dynastic cuisines.

Leisure

A number of and past-times 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. Go proverb and Xiangqi is also popular. Ethnic games like Chinese yo-yo are also part of the culture.

See also

• Sinology
• Chinese name
• Chinese dragon
• Fenghuang
• Chinese dress
• Chinese folklore
• Science and technology in China

*Chinese astronomy

*Chinese calendar

*Chinese mathematics

*Chinese medicine

*Chinese units of measurement

*Chinese measure word

External links

• Exploring Ancient World Cultures - Ancient China, University of Evansville
• Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home explored
• Chinese Culture Articles

References

1. ^ Mente, Boye De. [2000] (2000). The Chinese Have a Word for it: The Complete Guide to Chinese thought and Culture. McGraw-Hill Professional. ISBN 0658010786
2. ^ Kong, Foong, Ling. [2002] (2002). The Food of Asia. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0794601464

Cultural Gallery

The Chinese Dragon, Fu dog 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 goldfish pond is a signature Chinese scenery depicted in countless art work.	"Nine Dragons" handscroll section, by Chen Rong, 1244 AD, Chinese Song Dynasty, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

•  • [ e] Culture of Asia
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1Transcontinental nations

Civilization (British English also civilisation) is a kind of human society or culture; specifically, a civilization is usually understood to be a complex society characterized by the practice of agriculture and settlement in cities.
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A province, in the context of China, is a translation of sheng (Chinese: 省; Pinyin: shěng), which is an administrative division.
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Mainland China (Simplified Chinese: 中国大陆; Traditional Chinese: 中國大陸; Pinyin:
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The following are the ethnic groups in Chinese history. Any non clear-cut connection is denoted by a question mark beside the equivalences. As so many ethnic groups have appeared in history, this table is certainly not complete.
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Ethnic minorities in China refer to the non-Han Chinese population in mainland China and Taiwan. The People's Republic of China (PRC) officially recognizes 55 ethnic minority groups within China in addition to the Han majority.
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The following is a list of ethnic groups in China.

The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group based on the 2000 census, where some 91.5% of the population was classified as Han Chinese (~1.2 billion).
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Majority populations
 People's Republic of China [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html#People]
-  Hong Kong [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/hk.html#People]
-  Macau [https://www.cia.
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For other uses, see Chinese nationality.

Zhonghua minzu (Chinese: 中华民族; Pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínzú), is a Chinese term that refers to the notion of a Chinese nationality transcending ethnic divisions, with a central
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Chinese nationalism refers to cultural, historiographical, and political theories, movements and beliefs that assert the idea of a cohesive, unified Chinese people and culture under a unified country known as China.
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A Chinese surname, family name (Chinese: ; Pinyin: xìng) or clan name ( 氏 ; pinyin: shì), is one of the hundreds or thousands of family names that have been historically used by Han
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Origin Bayankala Mountains, Qinghai Province
Mouth Bohai Sea
Basin countries China
Length 5464 km (3398 mi)
Source elevation 4500 m (14,765 ft)

Avg.
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河南省
Hénán Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Yù)

Origin of name 河 hé - (Yellow) River
南 nán - south
"south of the Yellow River"
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山西省
Shānxī Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Jìn)

Origin of name 山 shān - mountain
西 xī - west
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陕西省
Shǎnxī Shěng
Abbreviations: 陕 or ?  (Pinyin: Shǎn or Qín)

Origin of name
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河北省
Héběi Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Jì)

Origin of name 河 hé - (Yellow) River
北 běi - north
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山东省
Shāndōng Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Lu)

Origin of name 山 shān - mountain
东 dōng - east
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Basin countries China
Length 6,300 km (3,915 mi)^[1]
Source elevation 5,042 m (16,542 ft)

Avg. discharge 31,900 m³/s (1,127,000 ft³/s)
Basin area 1,800,000 km² (695,000 mi²) The Yangtze River or Chang Jiang
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四川省
Sìchuān Shěng
Abbreviations: 川/?  (Pinyin: Chuān or Shu)

Origin of name
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云南省
Yúnnán Shěng
Abbreviations: 滇 or ?  (Pinyin: Diān or Yún)

Origin of name 云 yún - cloud
南 nán - south
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贵州省
Guìzhōu Shěng
Abbreviations: 黔 or ?  (Pinyin: Qián or Guì)

Origin of name 贵 guì - Gui Mountains
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湖南省
Húnán Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Xiāng)

Origin of name 湖 hú - lake
南 nán - south
"south of Lake Dongting"
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湖北省
Húběi Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: È)

Origin of name 湖 hú - lake
北 běi - north
"north of Lake Dongting"
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江西省
Jiāngxī Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Gàn)

Origin of name Contraction of:
江南西; Jiāngnán Xī
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安徽省
Ānhuī Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Wǎn)

Origin of name 安 ān - Anqing
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浙江省
Zhèjiāng Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Zhè)

Origin of name Old name of Qiantang River Administration type Province

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江苏省
Jiāngsū Shěng
Abbreviations: ?  (Pinyin: Su)

Origin of name 江 jiāng - Jiangning (now Nanjing)
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The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Chinese: 三皇五帝; Pinyin: Sānhuáng wǔdì; Wade-Giles: San-huang wu-ti) were mythological rulers of China during the period from c.
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Chinese sovereign is the ruler of a particular period in ancient China. Several titles and naming schemes have been used throughout history.

Terminology

King title

The king or wang
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Social hierarchy is a multi-tiered pyramid-like social or functional structure having an apex as the centralization of power. The term can also be applied to animal societies, but the term dominance hierarchy is preferred most times.
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Chinese law is one of the oldest legal traditions in the world. For most of the history of China, it has been based on the Confucian philosophy of social control through moral education, as well as the Legalist emphasis on codified law and criminal sanction.
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