Introduction to Chinese Culture: Cultural History, Arts, Festivals and Rituals

Acknowledgments
Contents
Chapter 1: Cultural Progress
	1.1 The Pre-Qin Period: The Budding Stage of Chinese Culture
		1.1.1 Pre-Xia Culture
		1.1.2 Culture of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties
			1.1.2.1	 Rites and Music
			1.1.2.2	 Religion and Belief
			1.1.2.3	 Birth of Chinese Character Writing
			1.1.2.4	 Bronze Wares
			1.1.2.5	 Astronomy and Calendar
		1.1.3 The Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period
			1.1.3.1	 The Hundred Schools of Thought
			1.1.3.2	 Literary Classics
				The Book of Songs and The Songs of Chu
				Four Books and Five Classics
			1.1.3.3	 Set of Bells
	1.2 Chinese Culture Takes Shape
		1.2.1 Cultural Achievements of the Qin and Han Dynasties
			1.2.1.1	 Confucianism as the Dominant School of Thought
			1.2.1.2	 Unification of Culture in the Early Qin Dynasty
			1.2.1.3	 Fu and Yuefu
			1.2.1.4	 Thriving of Historiography
			1.2.1.5	 Sophisticated Science and Technology
				Zhang Heng and the Seismometer
				Nine Chapters on Arithmetic
				Huangdi Neijing, Zhang Zhongjing, and Hua Tuo
				Cai Lun and Papermaking Technology
			1.2.1.6	 The Silk Road
			1.2.1.7	 Architecture
				Great Wall
				Epang Palace
				Dujiang Dam
		1.2.2 From the Wei to the Southern and Northern Dynasties
			1.2.2.1	 Co-existence of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism
				The Rise of Xuanxue
				The Rise of Taoism
				Prevalence of Buddhism
			1.2.2.2	 Novelty in Literature
			1.2.2.3	 Achievements in Painting and Calligraphy
			1.2.2.4	 Zu Chongzhi’s Pi and Jia Sixie’s Qi Min Yao Shu
	1.3 From Sui to Song: Thriving Stage of Chinese Culture
		1.3.1 Culture of the Sui and Tang Dynasties
			1.3.1.1	 Imperial Examination System of the Sui and Tang Dynasties
			1.3.1.2	 Poetry of the Tang Dynasty
				Poetry of the Early Tang
				Poetry of the High Tang (ad 713–765)
				Poetry of the Middle Tang (ad 766–835)
				Poetry of Late Tang (ad 836–907)
			1.3.1.3	 Calligraphy, Painting, Music, and Dance
				Painting
				Sculpture
				Ceramics
				Calligraphy
				Music and Dance
			1.3.1.4	 Architecture in the Sui and Tang Dynasties
				The Grand Canal
				Zhaozhou Bridge
		1.3.2 Culture of the Song Dynasty
			1.3.2.1	 The Rise of Neo-Confucianism
				School of Principle
				School of the Mind
			1.3.2.2	 Song Ci (Poetry of the Song Dynasty)
			1.3.2.3	 Education in the Song Dynasty
			1.3.2.4	 Calligraphy and Painting in the Song Dynasty
			1.3.2.5	 Historiography in the Song Dynasty
			1.3.2.6	 Technology in the Song Dynasty
	1.4 From the Yuan to Qing Dynasties: Consolidation of Chinese Culture
		1.4.1 Practical Science in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
		1.4.2 Introduction of Christianity and Islam
		1.4.3 Academic Integration
		1.4.4 Zaju and Novels
		1.4.5 Cultural Exchange Between China and the West
		1.4.6 Architecture of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties
			1.4.6.1	 Dadu City of the Yuan Dynasty (Beijing)
			1.4.6.2	 The Imperial Palace
			1.4.6.3	 The Ming Tombs
			1.4.6.4	 Suzhou Garden
			1.4.6.5	 Old Summer Palace
	1.5 Chinese Culture in Modern Times
		1.5.1 The Evolution of Political Thought
			1.5.1.1	 “Opening the Eyes to See the World”
			1.5.1.2	 The Westernization Movement and Bourgeois Reform Thought
			1.5.1.3	 Revolutionary Thought and the Kuomintang
			1.5.1.4	 Marxism and the Communist Party of China
			1.5.1.5	 Mao Zedong Thought
			1.5.1.6	 Deng Xiaoping Theory
			1.5.1.7	 The CCP’s Scientific Outlook on Development
		1.5.2 Culture and Education
			1.5.2.1	 The Imperial University of Peking and Tsinghua University
			1.5.2.2	 Overseas Education
			1.5.2.3	 Literature
			1.5.2.4	 History
			1.5.2.5	 Rapid Development of the News Publishing Industry
		1.5.3 Art
			1.5.3.1	 The Introduction of Western Music
			1.5.3.2	 Great Talents in Painting
		1.5.4 Military Industry, Transportation, and Space Technology
			1.5.4.1	 Modern Military Industry
			1.5.4.2	 Transportation
			1.5.4.3	 Two Bombs and One Satellite
			1.5.4.4	 Space Technology
	References
Chapter 2: Geography and Tourism
	2.1 Geographical Features
		2.1.1 Location, Landforms, and Climate
		2.1.2 Mineral Resources
		2.1.3 Mountains, Major Bodies of Water, and Islands
			2.1.3.1	 Mountains
			2.1.3.2	 Rivers
			2.1.3.3	 Lakes
			2.1.3.4	 Seas
			2.1.3.5	 Islands
	2.2 Tourism Resources
		2.2.1 Natural Heritage
			2.2.1.1	 Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
			2.2.1.2	 Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area
			2.2.1.3	 Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area
			2.2.1.4	 Stone Forest Scenic Area in Kunming
		2.2.2 Cultural Heritage
			2.2.2.1	 The Great Wall
			2.2.2.2	 Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
			2.2.2.3	 Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing
			2.2.2.4	 Lushan National Park
		2.2.3 Natural and Cultural Heritage (Mixed Heritage)
			2.2.3.1	 Mount Taishan
			2.2.3.2	 Mount Emei Scenic Area
	2.3 Landscapes
		2.3.1 Guilin
		2.3.2 West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou
		2.3.3 Mountain Resort of Chengde and Its Outlying Temples
		2.3.4 Classical Gardens of Suzhou
		2.3.5 The Riyuetan Lake Scenic Spot
		2.3.6 Yangtze Gorges Scenic Spot
	References
Chapter 3: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Materia Medica
	3.1 TCM’s Theoretical System
		3.1.1 Formation of TCM’s Theoretical System
		3.1.2 Development of TCM’s Theoretical System
			3.1.2.1	 A Wealth of Practice in the Wei to the Tang Dynasties
			3.1.2.2	 Contention and Breakthrough in the Song to Yuan Dynasties
			3.1.2.3	 Integration in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
			3.1.2.4	 Deepening Development in Modern Times
	3.2 TCM’s Philosophical Background
		3.2.1 Essential Qi Doctrine
		3.2.2 Yin–Yang Theory
			3.2.2.1	 Explaining the Human Body’s Organic Structure
			3.2.2.2	 Explaining the Human Body’s Physiological Functions
			3.2.2.3	 Explaining Pathological Changes
		3.2.3 Five Phases Theory
			3.2.3.1	 Explaining the Five Zang Organs’ Physiological Functions
			3.2.3.2	 Explaining the Interrelations Among the Five Zang Organs
	3.3 TCM’s Understanding of Disease, Diagnosis and Treatment, and Health Preservation
		3.3.1 TCM’s Understanding of Disease
			3.3.1.1	 Etiology
			3.3.1.2	 Theory of Pathomechanism
		3.3.2 TCM’S Diagnostic Methods
			3.3.2.1	 Inspection
			3.3.2.2	 Auscultation and Olfaction
			3.3.2.3	 Inquiry
			3.3.2.4	 Palpation and Pulse-Taking
		3.3.3 Therapeutic Methods Used in TCM
			3.3.3.1	 Pharmacotherapy
				Diaphoresis
				Emesis Method
				Purgative Method
				Harmonizing Method
				Clearing Method
				Warming Method
				Resolving Method
				Tonifying Method
			3.3.3.2	 Acupuncture-Moxibustion
		3.3.4 TCM’S Primary Methods of Health Preservation
			3.3.4.1	 Following Time
			3.3.4.2	 Regulating Emotions
			3.3.4.3	 Moderating Diet
			3.3.4.4	 Regularizing Daily Life
			3.3.4.5	 Physical Exercises
			3.3.4.6	 Acupuncture-Moxibustion: Medicines
	3.4 Chinese Materia Medica and Application
		3.4.1 Performance of Chinese Materia Medica
			3.4.1.1	 Four Properties and Five Flavors
				Four Properties
				Five Flavors
			3.4.1.2	 Ascending and Descending, Floating, and Sinking
			3.4.1.3	 Channel Tropism
		3.4.2 Concerted Application and Contraindication of Chinese Materia Medica
			3.4.2.1	 Concerted Application
				Mutual Promotion
				Mutual Enhancement
				Incompatibility
				Mutual Detoxication
				Mutual Inhibition
				Clashing
			3.4.2.2	 Contraindications
				Incompatibility of Medicines in a Prescription
				Contraindication During Pregnancy
				Dietary Restrictions While Taking Medicine
		3.4.3 Prescriptions and Medication
			3.4.3.1	 Principles for the Composition of Prescriptions
			3.4.3.2	 Application of Prescriptions
				Variation in the Addition/Subtraction of Medicines
				Variation in the Addition/Subtraction of Doses
	References
Chapter 4: Music
	4.1 Music in Remote Antiquity
	4.2 Music in the Xia and Shang Dynasties
	4.3 Music in the Western and Eastern Zhou Dynasties
	4.4 Music in the Qin and Han Dynasties
	4.5 Music in the Three Kingdoms, the Jin, and the Southern and Northern Dynasties
	4.6 Music in the Sui and Tang Dynasties
	4.7 Music in the Song, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties
	4.8 Music in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
	4.9 Music in Modern Times
	References
Chapter 5: Arts and Crafts
	5.1 Arts and Crafts in the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties
		5.1.1 Prehistoric Arts and Crafts
		5.1.2 Bronze Craft in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties
	5.2 Arts and Crafts in the Han and Tang Dynasties
		5.2.1 Arts and Crafts in the Han Dynasty
		5.2.2 Arts and Crafts in the Tang Dynasty
	5.3 Arts and Crafts in the Song and Yuan Dynasties
		5.3.1 Arts and Crafts in the Song Dynasty
		5.3.2 Arts and Crafts in the Yuan Dynasty
	5.4 Arts and Crafts in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
		5.4.1 Furniture Handicrafts in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
		5.4.2 Metal Crafts and Lacquerwares in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
		5.4.3 Ceramics in the Ming and Qing Dynasties
	References
Chapter 6: Astronomy and the Calendar
	6.1 Ancient Astronomy and the Calendar
		6.1.1 An Overview of Ancient Chinese Astronomy and the Calendar
		6.1.2 Introduction of Ancient Chinese Astronomy
			6.1.2.1	 Astronomy in the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties
			6.1.2.2	 Astronomy in the Qin and Han Dynasties
			6.1.2.3	 Astronomy in the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties
			6.1.2.4	 Astronomy in the Sui and Tang Dynasties
			6.1.2.5	 Astronomy in the Song Dynasty
			6.1.2.6	 Astronomy in the Liao, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties
			6.1.2.7	 Astronomy in the Ming Dynasty
			6.1.2.8	 Astronomy in the Qing Dynasty
		6.1.3 Famous Ancient Chinese Calendars
			6.1.3.1	 The Quarter Calendar
			6.1.3.2	 The Qianxiang Calendar
			6.1.3.3	 The Daming Calendar
			6.1.3.4	 The Dayan Calendar
			6.1.3.5	 The Twelve Solar Terms Calendar
			6.1.3.6	 The Shoushi Calendar
			6.1.3.7	 The Chongzhen Almanac
			6.1.3.8	 The Shixian Calendar
	6.2 Famous Ancient Astronomical Institutions and Figures
		6.2.1 Ancient Astronomical Institutions
		6.2.2 Famous Ancient Astronomical Figures
			6.2.2.1	 Gan De
			6.2.2.2	 Luoxia Hong (140–87 bc)
			6.2.2.3	 Zhang Heng (ad 78–139)
			6.2.2.4	 Zu Chongzi (429–500)
			6.2.2.5	 Yixing (683–727)
			6.2.2.6	 Shen Kuo (1031–1095)
			6.2.2.7	 Guo Shoujing (1231–1316)
			6.2.2.8	 Xu Guangqi (1562–1633)
			6.2.2.9	 Li Shanlan (1811–1882)
	6.3 Ancient Astronomical Instruments
		6.3.1 Astronomical Observation Instruments
			6.3.1.1	 Armillary Sphere (Hunyi)
			6.3.1.2	 Celestial Sphere
			6.3.1.3	 Water-Powered Armillary Sphere
		6.3.2 Ancient Timing Instruments
			6.3.2.1	 Gnomon Shadow Template (Guibiao)
			6.3.2.2	 Sundial (Rigui)
			6.3.2.3	 Leakage Clepsydra (Louke)
		6.3.3 Major Contemporary Chinese Observatories
			6.3.3.1	 Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
			6.3.3.2	 Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
			6.3.3.3	 Shaanxi Observatory of Chinese Academy of Sciences
			6.3.3.4	 Yunnan Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
			6.3.3.5	 National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
	References
Chapter 7: Chinese Architecture and Gardens
	7.1 Ancient Chinese Architecture
		7.1.1 Stages of Development of Ancient Chinese Architecture
			7.1.1.1	 Ancient Chinese Architecture of Primitive Society
			7.1.1.2	 Ancient Chinese Architecture of the Slave-Based Society
			7.1.1.3	 Ancient Chinese Architecture of the Feudal Society
		7.1.2 Features of Ancient Chinese Architecture
			7.1.2.1	 Layout of Royal Buildings
			7.1.2.2	 Main Features of Ancient Chinese Architecture
				Wooden Frame as the Main Support
				Unique Design of the Single Building
				Axial Symmetry and Rigorous Layout
				Diverse Techniques of Interior and Exterior Decoration
		7.1.3 Artistic Features of Ancient Chinese Architecture
			7.1.3.1	 The Decorated Roof
			7.1.3.2	 Artistic Foils on Buildings
			7.1.3.3	 Application of Color
	7.2 Chinese Residential Architecture
		7.2.1 Features and Forms of Chinese Residential Buildings
		7.2.2 Typical Local or National Residential Buildings in China
			7.2.2.1	 Traditional Courtyard-Style Residential Buildings
			7.2.2.2	 Jiangnan Residential Buildings
			7.2.2.3	 Cave Dwellings in the Central Region of the Yellow River Basin
			7.2.2.4	 Residential Buildings of Log Cabin Construction
			7.2.2.5	 Ganlan Residential Buildings
			7.2.2.6	 Hakka Earth Building and Round-Dragon House
			7.2.2.7	 Blockhouses of the Zang and Qiang Ethnic Groups
			7.2.2.8	 The Mongolian Yurt
	7.3 Chinese Landscape Architecture
		7.3.1 Stages of Development of Chinese Landscape Architecture
			7.3.1.1	 From the Shang Dynasty to the Southern and Northern Dynasties
			7.3.1.2	 The Sui and Tang Dynasties
			7.3.1.3	 The Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties
			7.3.1.4	 From the Yuan to the Qing dynasties
		7.3.2 Royal Gardens
			7.3.2.1	 Distribution of Royal Gardens
			7.3.2.2	 Features of Royal Gardens
			7.3.2.3	 Artistic Achievements of Royal Gardens
				Gigantic Scale
				Ingenious Garden Architecture
				Rich Symbolic Meaning of Royal Gardens
				Method of the “Garden within Garden”
			7.3.2.4	 Typical Royal Gardens
		7.3.3 Private Gardens
		7.3.4 Temple Gardens
		7.3.5 Regional Characteristics of Chinese Gardens
			7.3.5.1	 Gardens in the North
			7.3.5.2	 Lingnan Gardens
			7.3.5.3	 Jiangnan Gardens
		7.3.6 Landscape Gardening Art
			7.3.6.1	 Spiritual Expression
			7.3.6.2	 Landscape Design
				View-Blocking
				Added Scenery
				Dipped Scenery
				Mutual Scenery
				Framed Scenery
				Leaking Through Scenery
				Borrowing Scenery
			7.3.6.3	 Waterscape and Rockery Scenery in the Garden
		7.3.7 Architectural Elements in the Garden
	7.4 Classic Books and Famous Craftsmen in Architecture
		7.4.1 Classic Books on Ancient Chinese Architecture
		7.4.2 Famous Craftsmen of Ancient Garden Architecture
		7.4.3 Modern and Contemporary Chinese Gardens
			7.4.3.1	 Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing
			7.4.3.2	 Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou
			7.4.3.3	 The Great Hall of the People
			7.4.3.4	 Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
	References
Chapter 8: Clothing, Food, Housing and Transportation
	8.1 Ancient Chinese Costume
		8.1.1 Origination of Costumes
		8.1.2 Costumes in the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties
		8.1.3 Costumes from the Qin Dynasty to the Southern and Northern Dynasties
		8.1.4 Splendid Costumes in the Sui, the Tang, and Five Dynasties
		8.1.5 Costumes in the Song Dynasty
		8.1.6 The Unique Costume of the Yuan Dynasty
		8.1.7 The Complex and Diverse Clothing Systems in the Ming Dynasty
		8.1.8 Elegant and Luxuriant Costumes in the Qing Dynasty
	8.2 Food Culture in Ancient China
		8.2.1 The Origin of Food Culture
		8.2.2 Classification of Food in Ancient Times
			8.2.2.1	 Shu in the Shang Dynasty
			8.2.2.2	 Ji in the Zhou Dynasty
			8.2.2.3	 The Five Cereals
			8.2.2.4	 Rice
			8.2.2.5	 Staple Food and Subsidiary Food
		8.2.3 Eating Utensils and Methods of Food-Making
		8.2.4 Changes of Diet Systems in Ancient Times
	8.3 Dwellings of Ancient Chinese
		8.3.1 The Origin of Architecture
		8.3.2 Cities and Urban Architecture in Ancient China
		8.3.3 Living Habits and Interior Design in Ancient China
	8.4 Transportation in Ancient Times
		8.4.1 Transportation in the Prehistoric Age
		8.4.2 Transportation in the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties
			8.4.2.1	 Transportation in the Xia Dynasty
			8.4.2.2	 Transportation of the Shang Dynasty
			8.4.2.3	 Transportation of the Zhou Dynasty
		8.4.3 Transportation from the Qin to the Tang Dynasties
		8.4.4 Transportation from the Song to the Qing Dynasties
	References
Chapter 9: Customs and Etiquette
	9.1 An Overview of Chinese Customs and Etiquette
		9.1.1 Li, Liyi, and Etiquette
		9.1.2 Characteristics of Etiquette
		9.1.3 Role of Folk Etiquette
	9.2 Etiquette in Daily Life
		9.2.1 Birth Ceremony
		9.2.2 Enlightenment Rite
		9.2.3 Puberty Rite
		9.2.4 Wedding Ceremony
		9.2.5 Birthday Rite and Longevity Rite
		9.2.6 Funeral Rites
			9.2.6.1	 Funeral Vigil
			9.2.6.2	 Funeral Rite
			9.2.6.3	 Sacrificial Rites
	9.3 Family Rituals
		9.3.1 The Rite Between Father and Son
		9.3.2 The Rite Between Husband and Wife
		9.3.3 The Rite Between Brothers and Sisters
		9.3.4 The Rite for the Young Woman
	9.4 Social Etiquette
		9.4.1 Manner Etiquette
			9.4.1.1	 Appellation
			9.4.1.2	 Greeting Etiquette
			9.4.1.3	 Visit and Social Activity
			9.4.1.4	 Catering and Gift Presenting
			9.4.1.5	 Respect Elders and Teachers
		9.4.2 Letter Etiquette
	References
Chapter 10: Traditional Festivals
	10.1 Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Festivals
		10.1.1 Focus on Agriculture
		10.1.2 Secularity
	10.2 Four Major Festivals
		10.2.1 Spring Festival
		10.2.2 The Clear and Bright Festival or the Qingming Festival
			10.2.2.1	 Eating Cold Food
			10.2.2.2	 Sweeping the Grave
			10.2.2.3	 Going Hiking in the Suburbs
			10.2.2.4	 Wearing and Transplanting Willow Twigs
		10.2.3 The Dragon Boat Festival or the Duanwu Festival
			10.2.3.1	 Origin
			10.2.3.2	 Customs
		10.2.4 The Mid-Autumn Festival
	10.3 Other Festivals
		10.3.1 The Lantern Festival or the Yuanxiao Festival
		10.3.2 The Double Seventh Festival or the Magpie Festival
		10.3.3 The Double Ninth Festival
	10.4 Festivals of China’s Minorities
		10.4.1 Massive Participation
		10.4.2 Recreational Activities in the Festivals
		10.4.3 Social Purposes
		10.4.4 Religious Purposes
	References