Chinese Culture

Alexis N. Pomeroy
3 February 2008

Basic Geography, Prehistoric China, Dynasties & States, and Philosophies

Geography
China is a huge country containing numerous provinces and region. The capital of China is Beijing. China is the fourth largest country (concerning land mass) and contains 23 provinces. This does not include the two special administrative regions: Macau and Hong Kong. China is, by far, the most populated country in the world. According to the CIA World Factbook, the population was at 1,321,851,888 as of July 2007. The largest city in China is Shanghai. There are many highly urbanized cities and metropolises in China, but a large amount of western China remains relatively unpopulated. The majority of habitants reside in the eastern realm of China.
China’s geographical distinction has evolved during the centuries. What we know as China’s borders today differ greatly throughout history. Different regions developed through migration, resulting in linguistic separations as well as cultural variations. There were times in history that China’s borders were expanded, and also condensed in comparison to today’s.

Prehistoric China

Early Chinese society differed from region to region. It varied from hunters, to gatherers, to fishermen. Early linguistics of China tell a lot about the development of societies and relations between regions. The major Chinese language is related to Tibetan, Burman (Sino-Tibetan-Burman languages), while the minority Chinese language of South China is related to the Austro-Asiatic languages. We are also able to determine the migratory routes by looking at how the languages relate among regions. There are three major migratory routes: East Asia, China, and South China. The East Asia migratory route sprawls across North Asian countries such as Mongolia, Manchuria, Korea, and Japan. The China migratory route includes Tibet and South East Asia. South China route encompasses Southeast China and the islands of the Philippines and Indonesia.

Shang and Western Zhou

The Shang Dynasty dates all the way back to 1500 BCE! They were very ritualistic and religious. They often offered human sacrifices to a variety of gods in exchange for protection in wars and battles, good crop and harvest returns, good favor among their ancestors, along with many other things. Another ritual that they performed frequently was the divining of oracle bones. This provided the first written evidence of their culture. Oracle bones held high importance by 1200 BCE, as well as Neolithic pots containing the very foundation of the developing writing system.

On the topic of writing, the Chinese language utilizes the logographic form of characters. This is highly beneficial for a few reasons. Differing dialects that would otherwise not be understood through speech could be clearly and universally understood everywhere because the written language was the same. In addition, as the times have progressed, the language still perseveres successfully because its system is somewhat timeless in that a word will always be a word. Having this language and writing system for centuries also provides the Chinese with a unique and definite sense of their roots, culture, and identity. They have that connection between them and their ancestors of ancient times. However, a couple of disadvantages are readily apparent as well. A lot of words are required for everything expressible on earth. Consequently, there are a lot of characters to learn in the Chinese writing system. Thousands of characters, which take years and years to master just the basics! Plus, while much of the world uses the same lettering system, China is unique in that they have their very own, which also means that they are most likely the only ones who will understand and use it, other than the relative few who study the difficult language.

Another aspect that was important to those of the Shang and Zhou kings was the “Mandate of Heaven” or the consent of the gods in the Heaven for a current ruler for as long as they placed the interests of the people first. This may have been a way for conquerors to gain precedence over their rivals.

During the Western Zhou period, government ran by familial ruling. The king would often have his family and relatives oversee regions and care for various territories. Insights available to better understand what life was like for the Western Zhou inhabitants include the vast amount of poetry existing. The “Book of Poetry” is full of poems in addition to songs. Topics include love, crops, fabric and materials (such as hemp), food, hunting, seasons, and many other things. The poems point out religious customs and the differing responsibilities that men and women had in society.

Philosophers of the Warring States and Eastern Zhou

Throughout the years, the early Chinese society changes, as would be expected. Human sacrifice was an important part of ritual, but became controversial to society as the years went on and it eventually became abolished. Also there were always different schools of thought, philosophies, and belief systems developing. A few significant ones include: Confucism, Mozi, Daoism, and Legalism. Many great leaders helped progress the development of these ways of thought and worldview.

The Analects are mainly attributed to Confucius, who lived 551-479 BCE. The Confucian thought deals mainly with good, proper relations with others, depending on what role they have in one’s life.

Mozi lived around 480-390 BCE and encouraged everyone to be thoughtful and “concern for everyone” or “universal love.” (31, Ebrey).

Mencius, who lived around 370-300 BCE encouraged unity in governments and the moral nature of man.

Xunzi lived around 310-215 BCE and disagreed with Mencius’ views and thoughts. While Mencius believed that men are naturally with good morals, Xunzi attested that men are actually selfish and mean, and that morals are something that have to be learned through education.

Laozi and Zhuangzi were major principals in ‘the way’ of Daoism. This way of thinking and perception had a lot to do with nature and being connected, yet detached. To let go of all desires and emotions in order to truly experience life in its simplest, purest, yet most ideal form.

These thought systems and beliefs still affect millions of people today, especially the Chinese people. They continue to strive for harmony with others and nature and live simple, yet fulfilled lives. They appreciate others and all they offer, and hold the highest respect for all people, as well as themselves, which is very apparent in the way they carry themselves and care about what they are.

References

Ebery, Patricia Buckley. China: A Cultural, Social, and Political History. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company. 2006.

CIA World Factbook. China. 24 Jan 2008 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html