Diversity within this world is what makes every one of us unique in our own way. The different cultures of the world are the principle of various human civilizations, which we have come to recognize and accept on a global level. As one of the largest countries in the world and one of the four ancient civilizations, China bears many cultural traditions and scientific developments that are extremely imperative and influential. Many aspects of the Chinese’s rich and profound culture could be traced back many centuries ago through its written history (China Highlights, 1998).
Geographically, a green gemstone called jade is found in Burma, Central America, Brazil, Canada and India. Although prized by many other civilizations, no other culture can resemble China’s appreciation for jade and the intricacy upon its jewelry and other objects (Cultural China, 2014). The usage of Jade dates back to almost nine thousand years ago around the 1700s when Chinese civilization was first established (Jackson, 2013). According to Minerals.net, there are two different forms of Jade made from two different minerals known as Jadeite and Nephrite. Jade is extensively recognized for its vibrant green color, but there are many varieties of other colors as well. Some of these colors include purple, red, orange, and blue. In some cases, jade could possibly be multicolored (Minerals.net, 2014). Traditional jade made from nephrite, also known as “Yu” in Chinese, was defined as beautiful stones by Xu Shen in the first Chinese dictionary according to an article written by Jun Shan. Since China only had soft jade until jadeite was imported from Burma during the Qing dynasty (1271-1368), the Chinese traditionally refers to the soft jade as “traditional jade”. ...
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...erves as an example of what qualities an “ideal” person should have in life (Tee, 2009).Therefore, the gemstone’s purpose is to deliver a message to the Chinese people through the 11 virtues that it holds. Superstitions of the jade such as longevity in life, bringing good luck and protecting against bad luck, and replenishing a soul will be passed on from generations to generations. As an independent invention, jade is globally useful and popular all over the world but valued for different reasons. Unlike many other countries that found jade an important aspect of their lives, the Chinese viewed jade as something much more than a stone, mineral, a jewel, or even a tool. They have incorporated meaningful morals and significance within a vibrant green stone. As the Chinese saying goes: “Gold has a value, jade is invaluable.” (Shan, 2014)
Culture, Not Race, Explains Human Diversity, Mark Nathan Cohen, Chronicle of Higher Education, April 17, 1998, pp.B4-B5. The term race refers to a biological subdivision of a species. At one time, scientists held that there were as few as three such subdivisions in the species Homo sapiens: Caucasoid, Negroid, and Mongoloid. Mark Anthony Cohen points out that this is an antiquated view, yet it lingers as a common belief in society. Mark Nathan Cohen makes an interesting point in his article “Culture, Not Race, Explains Human Diversity”. While the article does deal wholly in the realm of the opinion, it is supported by numerous scientific facts. In fact, Cohen’s usual method of drawing in a reader is to make a blanket statement and then “beef it up” with several scientific facts.
There is a great art that can be found in being able to describe the world of an ancient civilization. Especially in one where large man made walls form because of the creases of a sleeping dragon’s back, or that the layout of the fields and streams of a small village create the image of a galloping unicorn when looked from up above. Yet, this is Imperial China, or as Barry Hughhart writes in his Novel Bridge of Birds, “an Ancient China that Never Was” (Hughhart 1984). This novel explores the history and the world of Ancient China, and the tales of the people who have walked across the land. Offering a summary of the book, we will be able to analyze
Where will America be in a few thousand years; will we retain our current culture or continue to grow, thrive, and adapt to our surroundings? While these are important questions for our country’s future, many of the answers can already be found in one of the oldest civilizations on the planet, China. Chinese culture has been formed and reformed many times throughout its expansive history, and with changes in rule and structure, there have also been changes in philosophy and culture. Confucius emerged as a prominent figure in Chinese philosophy and managed to grow in popularity through time with his famous teachings, including those in his Analects. The philosophies of Daoism emerged later through many writings including the prominent Daodejing, written by philosopher Laozi. Although Confucius’ Analects and Laozi’s the Daodejing have both influenced Chinese culture, their primary goals for society differ in many ways.
Being able to possess ancient dynasty objects has been seen as a sign of the legitimate ruler. Qianlong as the commissioner and the subject of this painting, intentionally representing himself of Han Chinese culture seems to communicate one message to the viewers just as what he once expressed about himself: ‘I, having grown up in the court and studied for twenty years, am in reality a scholar.’ Therefore, him, as the emperor, understands, protects and restores Han Chinese culture, and possesses the true treasures of Chinese culture, is the ultimate ruler of China.
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).
The second part of the journey visits, ancient China in 1500 BCE, a thousand years prior to the formation of the Daoism school of thought. (Brodd, Little and Ny...
China has gone through many changes in its history. Changes include economic, political, and social. In the early 1500 and throughout history, mostly all social classes followed Confucianism. Confucianism is a type of religion based on an ideal society (Chang 2012, 22). China was molded though Confucianism but that slowly deteriorated as years went on. One main group that has been a main part in these changes is the Chinese literati. The Chinese literati include the higher-class people such as officials and scholars. The Chinese literati were the dominant social class during the 1500’s but their power slowly decreased throughout history. Throughout my paper, I will explain the Chinese literati involvement as centuries passed.
In this Treatise have discussed China's classical age and how they influenced all of east Asian culture for over two thousand years. And How Buddhism spread throughout east Asia and evolved into several different schools each embracing the host nations principle and beliefs. I have discussed Confucian teachings and texts have influenced Chinese and Eastern Asian culture and government for centuries. How China overcame invaders from all sides and managed to emerge as a world economic power. And finally how Japan developed its own culture and founded a new social class the Samurai. East Asian History is compelling, deep and complicated. A history that will sound differently each time as their history continues to grow and influence other non Asian cultures.
In the early years of China, the Chinese began a period of establishment in the world with ideas and teachings of new religions, changing powers, and building empires. In a nutshell the Chinese were progressing toward new technology, writings, and belief systems. The Chinese saw many dynasties come and go as well as many ups and downs experienced with societies over the course of history. As all nation’s go through change, the Chinese experienced changes from other lands far away and produced many concepts in which helped other realms to see change for themselves. The Chinese used many inventive innovations to prosper as an economic power and stabilize intellectually. Change mixed with innovation proved to be the roots of China’s success as a powerful nation to be reckoned with for the vast numbers appeared in China’s favor.
In his Article, Keightley argues that China possesses an epistemological optimism, and in his lengthy argument, that was supposed to focus on the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods, he ended up using a lot of later texts to justify his points of view, therefore ma...
They brought with them from their Chinese culture; writing, stone craftsmanship, and human sacrifice. Many of their stone sculptures bear an uncanny resemblance to the Asian people of the time. The feathered serpent that was one of the gods that was worshiped is striking familiar to the Chinese dragons that adorn many Chinese art pieces.
Throughout the film ancient China’s profound history and glorious culture has displayed through various cultural elements. The martial arts, writing system, architecture all together gives an image of the Chinese culture. The developments and advanced techniques have shaped the country and stabilized the society. China has accomplished some of the greatest achievements of mankind. It had also made significant contribution to the development of advanced systems around the world. Chinese culture is very unique. All the elements presented in the film have truly strengthened my understanding of the Chinese
The political and cultural integration of the empire was successfully completed under the succeeding Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220). The arts of the Han period demonstrate remarkable uniformity. There are local variations in style and technology, but the formation, themes, and underlying concepts of the decorations are common to work produced in all parts of the empire. In the Chinese garden, rocks are an important symbolic and compositional element. Monoliths set on end are called peaks (Feng); piled compositions such as the one in the corner are called artificial mountains (Jiashan). The rocks are eroded limestone boulders from Lake Tai, near Suzhou. One of the principles of the Chinese garden design is the use of walls and openings to create the illusion of space beyond space. The lattice of each window is a different geometric pattern to delight the eye through
The first recorded history of China is from the Shang Dynasty. In the late 1920s and early 1930s a plethora of artifacts itself have been found...
This essay gives an overview of early civilization in China and the different periods within this era. Also, it includes political and cultural pursuits of the people within this time period and the struggles of the Asian peoples and their religious beliefs and community uniqueness and differences.