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Influence of confucianism on china culture
Confucianism in chinese society essay
The influence of confucianism upon the Chinese people
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Synopsis
Chinese culture has been evolving for more than one thousand years with one of the most significant influences being the development of the Han dynasty. This paper analyses the ways in which the development of the Han dynasty influenced Chinese culture, to what extent, and why. Knowledge of the Han period’s impact on Chinese culture, is obtained through the analysis of written and archaeological sources depicting the Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.–9 A.D) and Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 A.D).
Analysis of the primary and secondary sources, demonstrates that although culture is constantly evolving, multiple aspects of modern Chinese culture originated from the development of the Han dynasty. Investigation of China’s foreign interactions
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However the Han dynasty was a catalyst for extensive cultural developments despite some consolidation of pre-existing morals, due to the restoration of freedom of expression. Philosophy gradually evolved and considerably influenced the mentality of the Chinese. Art and literature flourished, significantly affecting artistic styles that would continue to be produced throughout Imperial China. Industrial technology improved and largely impacted on domestic and agricultural life. The formation of the Silk Road led to enduring cultural integration and understanding. From the Han dynasty emerged a culture that continues to impact on the lifestyles of the Chinese …show more content…
The philosophy taught ‘The three submissions and four virtues’, where women were to submit to males in all stages of their lives as a daughter, wife and widow. Emperor Hsuan (73-48 B.C.E) stated that “a wife does not commit a crime if she attempts to conceal the crime of her husband….a husband is not allowed to conceal a crime committed by his wife…” portraying clear prejudice against women that is still a current underlying issue in China. The greatest duty of women was motherhood for which they were respected, however in all other aspects of their lives, they were essentially tools of society. Men were expected to be the head of their households and take on physical occupations, or intellectual pursuits in the case of higher class men. These established gender roles promoted gender stereotypes that continue to restrict Chinese perceptions on both sexes. Children were subject to the absolute control of their father who could order them to execute any tasks, determine their profession and education and physically punish them. Although Confucianism remained the official state philosophy until the end of Imperial China, the sexist views and family hierarchy remain rooted in the mindset of many Chinese
There are little to no direct accounts of how individuals’ lives were a couple thousand years ago in Ancient China. With a wealth of information on the rise, decline, and fall of empires, Michael Loewe, a sinologist who specializes in oriental studies and theology, writes an imaginary story about a hero named Bing set around 70 BCE. Bing: From Farmer’s Son to Magistrate in Han China is Loewe’s fictional portrait of life during the Han Empire. It is by no means a comprehensive historical account of Han times, in fact, it was written with those readers who are not familiar with Chinese in mind, however through the life of Bing we can gage how the lives of laborers, those involved in military service, merchants, and government officials might
Confucius believed that proper behavior within all types of relationships was dictated by a hierarchy that should be honored and preserved in order to maintain harmony within oneself and the rest of society (Bulliet 86). Zhao respected and supported these ideas in her own writings as she regularly makes reference to the notion that relationships between married men and women should be guided by the principles of yin and yang. According to Zhao, “as Yin and Yang are not of the same nature, so man and woman have different characteristics”, hence while the yang is firm and strong, the yin must be flexible and gentle (Zhao). Her advice to her daughters and the rest of her female audience was meant to help them avoid the shame that came with breaking the rules of society and promote a happy, harmonious lifestyle. To Zhao and most others, the inequality that existed between men and women was an inherent and necessary quality of traditional Chinese life. The historical context in which Zhao lived gives sufficient information to understand her position and motivations in Lessons for a Woman, nonetheless, her views on education add a unique dimension to her
Rome and Han dynasty presented the culture diversities in distinct parts of the world. They differ significantly on the formation and the ruling ideologies and so on. The varieties of culture are the most intriguing and attractive part of history.
...c. 4). This is an example of one of the seven unequal relationships in Confucianism. Much of the social structure of classical China was based on Confucian ideals (Doc. 3). In Greece the relationship between a husband and wife also very unequal due to her young age and lack of education. Alone a woman had no political rights and limited legal powers therefore is was necessary for a husband to provide for his wife much like a father would (Doc. 6) A woman would learn house hold management and eventually produce heirs. These two similar systems of social roles was not a benevolent system. It did not take into account the welfare of individuals, particularly woman who had little power to leave in a bad marital situation. However by insuring that people know their place, which kept them in line, classical societies were more prosperous and able to run more smoothly.
When one thinks about female traits or characteristics within the Asian culture you are likely to think of obedience and even docility. This can especially be true of Chinese women. Why is this? Where did this behavior and belief system originate? Many scholars and cultural behaviorists would argue that Ban Zhao and Confucius played a pivotal role in this behavioral construct. Confucian teachings are the foundation upon which much of Asian society and culture have been erected. Confucius’ teachings focused on the importance of family dynamics and the need for children to obey and serve their parental figures. Confucius also stressed the need to exercise restraint and to treat others as you would have them treat you. Ban Zhao was the
During the history of ancient China, around 500 B.S.Ec., the Chinese begin to go through a crisis. The original order established in the civilization was long gone, and a change was needed. Something had to be done, in order to get the order restored in china. Chinese thinkers looked for ways to change their empire in order to reestablish order to their empire. In the chaotic China civilization, several different answers arouse to solve the problem, which ultimately changed China for the better. The three primary solutions were the concepts Legalist, Confucianism, Daoism.
Was intended to guide women in society and how women of that period should behave. Key influence on Chinese gender systems for over 20,000 years. In the Han dynasty, the female historian Ban Zhao wrote the Lessons for Women, advice on how women should behave. She outlines the Four Virtues women must abide by: proper virtue, proper speech, proper countenance, and proper merit. The three subordinations and the four virtues is a common four character phrase throughout the imperial period. Ban Zhao's lessons support Chinese patriarchy in every way imaginable
Lessons for Women was written by Ban Zhao, the leading female Confucian scholar of classical China, in 100 C.E. It was written to apply Confucian principles to the moral instruction of women, and was particularly addressed to Ban Zhao’s own daughters. As her best remembered work, it allows the reader insight into the common role of a woman during this fascinating time-period. The work starts off by Ban Zhao unconvincingly berating herself, and claiming how she once lived with the constant fear of disgracing her family. This argument is rather implausible, for the reader already knows the credibility of Ban Zhao, and how important her role was in ancient China.
During the period which lead up to the Han Dynasty's demise (as you can see on the
What has happened to Confucianism. For a long time, Confucian was accepted as the idea that a healthy society depended on a solid traditional family. Confucius himself, for example, called for people to put principle above selfish desires. People supported hierarchy. The rulers moral example would inspire the people to live good lives. But one begins to detect a new theme emerging in society especially amongst the Chinese reformers: the theme of individualism oppose to familialism. Today, would the Confucian family be more and more aware of abuse to women and children? The rituals and traditions can be seen as both positive and negative. The ways in which women suffered affirm that some rituals were abusive. There are multiple signs indeed that something has gone badly wrong with the Chinese family traditions that led to family instability.
...ther religions since they never really comitted to one main religion. Han China spread Confucianism by leading Confucius lives, they used Confucius ideas for their law codes and taught Confucius ideas to their children. The Confucian ideas spread by the Han helped rulers like Wudi have long reigns of power by embracing rule by morals and ethics. It also helped spread written exams as ways to determine peoples places and jobs in society based off of merit as opposed to putting anyone anywhere just to give people jobs. China also had a growing population of Daoists who believed in the power of nature. As time progressed both of their societies changed their religions. Rome slowly progressed from a basic Hellenistic polytheism to the once persecuted Christianity. Meanwhile China, which was mainly a Confucian and Daoist led society began to accept and embrace Buddhism.
In many ways the Chinese culture has developed. The social standings and religious beliefs are still viewed today. They still have a strong governmental stance, even though it has changed in many ways since the first ruler.
What effect did the culture revolution had on china? The culture revolution happens in in mid 1900s and lasted a full decade and had a lot of impact on the Chinese people. The main goal was to preserve communism ideology by purging against the reminisce of capitalism in the tradition Chinese society. The book Red Azalea comes from at that particular time period. Red azalea was in the center of the culture revolution. The culture revolution affected the Chinese citizens in many ways. The citizens did not enjoy the cultural revolution and lived in constant fear of communist party and they lacked freedom to express themeselves.
What is Chinese traditional culture like today from what it used to be? Where the Chinese we know today is very different from what they used to be. In today’s time, Chinese culture has changed over the years quite a bit from “Spring Moon” to now. A lot of their beliefs and morals come from Confucianism as it does in “Spring Moon”. The main points of this paper are Confucianism, characteristics, tradition, culture and modern life of the Chinese.
The purpose of this paper is to tell the history of the Ming Dynasty’s impact on the Chinese Empire, and to explain why the Chinese Empire was in fact an empire.