Chinese Civilization Flashcards
Learning and literature
The Chinese developed the art of writing during shang period. Chinese script was standardized during chin rulers. They have no alphabet and parts of speech. It consists of more than 40,000 characters. Chinese writing started as a pictograph. Later they developed characters or logograms. Chinese characters constitute the oldest continuously used systems of writing in the world. Their writing played an important role in cultural unification. Chinese script also influenced Japanese, korean and Vietnamese scripts. It is written from top to bottom
The invention of paper, silk and ink for writing helped the growth of writing and literature. The practice of writing history was also popular in china. The rulers got compiled their histories. The Chinese literature comprised prose, poetry, philosophy and history.
The imperial library of han consists of 3123 volumes of classics, 2705 volumes on philosophy, 868 works on medicine, 1318 volumes on poetry, 2568 volumes on mathematics and 790 volumes on war aspects. Tai-Lo-Po and Tu-Fu were great poets.
Chinese had developed geography, geometry, arithmetic calendars, astronomy and predicted eclipses.
Important inventions of chinese
Silk, Tea, Ink, Brush for painting, abacus, acupuncture, rudder gun-powder, glass, poetry, Rockets, spoon, forks, umbrella, seismograph and mariner compass.
Art and Architecture
Art of painting: the Chinese had developed wonderful painting. They painted on silk cloth, tomb walls, pots and papers. They believed that tomb paintings were meant to protect the dead and help their souls to go to heaven.
Sculpture: Chinese developed the art of casting bronze statues of animals and monsters. This art developed during Shang and Chous. Buddhism influenced the sculpture of bhodisatwa on stones found in large numbers.
Terracotta sculptures: the terracotta army assembled in the tomb of first kin emperor consists of 8000 life sized warriors and horses. They are very attractive
Architecture was one of the most important to the Chinese civilization. The great Wall of China is one of the ancient wonders of the Chinese civilization. It is 2380 km and 22 feet high with watch towers every 300km of 400 feet high were also built. This was built to prevent invasion of Mongolians, huns etc.This is not much of a great popularity to the Chinese as there was a lot of forced labour. The portions were rebuilt and constructed by the later dynasty which is why the wall is still standing.
They also built great palaces but it did not survive as it was made of mud and wood. Buddhist temples were built for eg. Jed pogoda and flask pogoda.
Who built the great Wall of China and why
Shih hu wang ti, to prevent invasions from Mongolia, huns and Vietnamese.
Mention any two important scientific inventions of chinese
Acupuncture, seismograph, porcelain and rockets
Name any two important philosophers of China.
Confucius and Mencius
Name the river valley that promoted the growth of chinese civilization
The river plains of hawang ho in northern China and yangtsee and sikiyang in southern China provided moderate challenges and minimum facilities to develop civilization.
Confucius
Confucius was the greatest of chinese philosophers. Born in the kingdom of Lu in 571 B.C.E, he lost his father at the age of 3. He married at the age of 19 and gave up family life at the age of 23. He worked as a teacher, judge, minister and editor. He proved to be a great philosopher and teacher.
The philosophy of Confucius is known as confucianism. The principles of Confucius had a basis from Chinese traditions. Some of them being respect to elders, worship of ancestors, loyalty towards family etc
His sayings included
1. Wisdom begins at home
2. Character is the foundation of society
3. He wished that unemployed be provided jobs
4.the society rests on obedience of children to their parents, wife to their husbands and students to their teachers.
5. The great man acts before he speaks and speaks according to his actions
Who was the greatest ruler of China?
Shin hu wang ti
Who was the proponent of Taoism
Lao tse
Who popularise Buddhism in China?
Buddhist monks and traders
