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Ancient Chinese Culture
Ancient Chinese culture encompasses both prehistoric civilization and human society throughout the majority of the Xia (ca. 2100–ca. 1600 BCE), Shang (ca. 1600–ca. 1100 BCE), and Zhou (ca. 1100–256 BCE) dynasties.
Ancient Chinese culture encompasses both prehistoric civilization and human society throughout the majority of the Xia (ca. 2100–ca. 1600 BCE), Shang (ca. 1600–ca. 1100 BCE), and Zhou (ca. 1100–256 BCE) dynasties.
The Classic of Mountains and Seas is a paramount ancient Chinese text with a diverse range of unique and extraordinary content. Often hailed as a rare gem worldwide, it stands as a testament to ancient Chinese myths and geographical lore. There is ongoing debate about the period in which the Classic of Mountains and Seas was written and its authorship.
Jiandu is one of the writing tools in ancient times. Jian is made of bamboo, while du is made of wood. Together, they refer to strips of wood or bamboo for writing characters. Due to their easy production and low cost, bamboo and wooden slips were widely popular in ancient times.
Cantonese opera is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. This form of theatrical art is believed to have originated in the early years of the Qing Dynasty and gained popularity in the Pearl River Delta region, where Cantonese is the main dialect spoken. At that time, with land transportation underdeveloped, troupes relied on waterways for travel.
Su Shi (1037–1101), courtesy name Zizhan, art name Dongpo Jushi, born in Meishan, Meizhou (now Meishan County, Sichuan Province) was a famous Chinese statesman and litterateur who lived during the Northern Song Dynasty. His father was Su Xun, and his younger brother was Su Zhe.
The term "feast (fan ju)" originated in the Song Dynasty and has a history of over a thousand years. "Ju" originated as a chess term, evolving to signify "situation" or "position". Over time, it extended to convey meanings such as "gambling", "gatherings", or "traps". In Chinese history, there have been numerous thrilling and intricate feasts, far from simple dining occasions.
Ancient artworks and documents serve as tangible records of historical life scenes. The murals and manuscripts discovered in the world-famous Dunhuang Caves are not only significant cultural heritage of China but also a historical treasure highly esteemed by the international academic community.
Chinese opera is renowned not just for its exquisite language and melodious music, but also for its vivid depiction of historical stories with complex and captivating plots. Due to its great popularity among the people, Chinese opera has been widely spread and deeply ingrained in their hearts.
China boasts a rich and long history, encompassing countless influential figures and significant events. China is renowned as a leading nation in the field of historiography possessing a wealth of historical classics spanning various dynasties.
The Yuan dynasty refers to the period when China was ruled by the Mongol Empire. As nomadic tribes, the Mongol rulers were free-spirited and embracing, contributing to the free development of diverse cultures. During its expansion, the empire embraced cultures of various ethnic groups, making the Yuan dynasty a state with splendid culture.
The character of knight-errant (Xia, 俠) can be found in many classic Chinese works, such as Han Feizi (《韓非子》), Water Margin (《水滸傳》), The Three Heroes and Five Gallants (《三俠五義》), and martial arts novels from Louis Cha Leung-yung. A knight-errant was someone who held others by force or this kind of forcible behaviour.
The Ming philosopher Li Zhi (李贄, 1527-1602) once praised Emperor Qinshihuang (255-210 BCE) as the “Emperor of All Ages” and held even greater admiration for Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-98), whom he hailed as the “Emperor Through the Ages”. What contributions did he make to earn him such high praise from the prideful scholar like Li?