Culture of Early ChinaCulture of Early China

Ping Yao City Hall Gate, Shanxi Province

Qing dynasty Corner Tower, Forbidden City, Beijing

I. I. The Hwang Ho (Yellow River)The Hwang Ho (Yellow River)1. 3,000-2,500 BC1. 3,000-2,500 BC

2. Agricultural lifestyle2. Agricultural lifestyle

a. Water regulation damsa. Water regulation dams

b. Irrigation canalsb. Irrigation canals

c. Rice cultivationc. Rice cultivation

d. Wheatd. Wheat

3. Purpose of Government (role)3. Purpose of Government (role)

a. Regulate agricultural productiona. Regulate agricultural production

b. Manage farmers who b. Manage farmers who

produce enough food produce enough food

for all people.for all people.

II. II. The Shang DynastyThe Shang Dynasty1. Northern China1. Northern China

a. Hwang Ho (Yellow) River Valleya. Hwang Ho (Yellow) River Valley

b. over 700 yearsb. over 700 years

2. Bronze weapons2. Bronze weapons

3. Use of 3. Use of CalligraphyCalligraphy

a. Written symbolsa. Written symbols

3. Improved architecture3. Improved architecture

4. Ornate artwork4. Ornate artwork

III. III. The Chang DynastyThe Chang Dynasty1. Increased trade1. Increased trade

2. Use of currency2. Use of currency

3. King = “Son of Heaven”3. King = “Son of Heaven”

4. Incorporate concept of 4. Incorporate concept of RevolutionRevolution

a. People have a right to a. People have a right to

overthrow an unjust Kingoverthrow an unjust King

5. Mastered Calligraphy5. Mastered Calligraphy

III. III. The Chang Dynasty The Chang Dynasty continued…continued…

6. Advanced 6. Advanced PhilosophyPhilosophy a. Standards of human conducta. Standards of human conduct b. Explain natural worldb. Explain natural world

**ConfuciusConfucius -most influential Chinese Philosopher-most influential Chinese Philosopher Confucian PracticeConfucian Practice 1. Respect Elders1. Respect Elders 2. Self-Control2. Self-Control 3. “Golden Rule”3. “Golden Rule” ““Treat others asTreat others as you wish to beyou wish to be treated…”treated…”

-Famous texts-Famous texts 1. Analects1. Analects 2. 5 Classics2. 5 Classics

III. III. The Chang Dynasty The Chang Dynasty continued…continued…

6. Philosophy continued…6. Philosophy continued…

**Lao TzuLao Tzu

-Founder of -Founder of TaoismTaoism

-blend of Philosophy and Religion-blend of Philosophy and Religion

Taoism in PracticeTaoism in Practice

1. Be humble and kind1. Be humble and kind

2. Live simply2. Live simply

3. Don’t try to 3. Don’t try to

change your lifechange your life

4. Follow “The Way”4. Follow “The Way”

or “Tao”or “Tao”

-Meditation = -Meditation =

Inner PeaceInner Peace

Taoism's origins are obscure, and many of its practices go back to the shamanic traditions of China, but 'formal' Taoism started with a book called the Dao De Jing (The classic of the Way and Virtue), or the Lao Zi, after its author. This book was written around 500-470 BCE, during the Warring States period, a time of great upheaval in China. Later Taoist sages wrote other books on Taoism, such as Zhuang Zi and Lie Zi, as well as treatise on alchemy and meditation but the Dao De Jing was the first and is still the most famous.

Yin and Yang. Life is a balance of extremes. Without evil, there can be no good. Without darkness, there can be no light. Without sickness, there can be no health.