The 3 Perfections
1. calligraphy
2. poetry
3. painting (especially landscapes)
Characters (i.e. in writing)
Chinese symbols - very complicated
must know approximately 10,000 to be literate
Yin & Yang
2 universal forces that cannot be separated, balance the universe
Yin
female, dark, wet, earth forces of universe
Yang
male, hot/dry, light, heavenly forces of universe
Middle Kingdom
time between Shang and Zhou dynasties also known as 'time of warring states'
Confucianism
philosopher lived around 5th-4th century B.C. (same time as Buddha), goal is to maintain harmony with nature
Main beliefs of Confucianism
1. social conformity 2. not a religion 3. elders have authority over younger 4. non-materialism 5. education = important
Daoism
philosopher = Lao-zi, main goal is harmony with nature BUT not concerned about human affairs, least gov. as possible (gov. - unnatural)
Qin Dynasty
1st emperor = Shi Huangdi
named China
Shi Huangdi
1st emperor of Qin dynasty, built Great Wall of China, terra cotta army, mausoleum, very harsh rule, didn't value education - knowledge = power
Legalism
founder = Hanfeizi
main belief = nature of man is evil/laziness, greed is cause of most conflicts
- the only way to achieve order was to be strict and harsh with laws and punishments
5 Constant Relationships
1. ruler ==> subject
2. parent==> child
3. husband ==> wife
4. elder bro ==> younger bro
5. friend ==> friend (only = relationship)
What were the Shang Dynasty's contributions to history?
1. silk-making
2. 1st dynasty of a long line
3. jade - very special to Chinese, status symbol imported from Siberia - bring to afterlife
What were the Zhou Dynasty's contributions to history?
1. exported silk
2. feudalism - land owned by lords, allow farmers to live on it for produce
3. Confucianism/Daoism
4. crossbow - good fighters
Religious beliefs (Shang & Zhou)
#NAME?
influence of geograpy on Ancient China
- rights animals to domesticate
- grasses to cultivate
- long coastline - far from other civilizations
- large rivers = water
- unpredictable/drastic flooding
- Yellow R. = loess
- isolation = superiority ==> xenophobic
- fear of foreign peoples, believed