Ancient China by Arthur Cotterell

Festivals and games

FLIGHTS OF FANCY Most chinese people worked from dawn to dusk every day with
Kite-flying became a favorite
pastime toward the end of the no regular days off. However, the Chinese calendar was punctuated by
Chinese empire. In the Qing several national festivals. The largest was the New Year, marking the
dynasty, an autumn kite festival beginning of spring. During this 15-day holiday, family members
was introduced by the Manchu gathered to share an elaborate meal and exchange gifts. Another
emperors. The festival was called important family festival was the Qingming, when people swept clean
Tengkao, “Mounting the Height,” the graves of their family ancestors and left offerings of food for the
because people flew kites from ancestral spirits. The little spare time people had was often spent
high ground. They believed this playing dice, card games, or games of skill such as chess. Wealthy
would bring them good luck. people spent their leisure hours practicing calligraphy, composing
Officials took part in the hope poetry, or listening to music.
that they might be promoted to
a higher rank. Each chess piece CHECKMATE
Chinese chess pieces, is identified The Chinese adopted
19th century by€name
the game of chess
One player uses from Europe, but A ROLL OF THE DICE CHINESE LANTERNS
red characters, they already had The Chinese loved Festivals and special events
the other blue
many board games of chance. Dice were often illuminated by
A set of seven games of their games were played in the light of decorative
gambling tablets
own, such as China from ancient lanterns. Lanterns were
Chinese checkers. times. These brass made of paper, silk, horn, or
boxes and dice were
Die shaken probably used for glass and were sometimes
inside box before painted with pictures or
gambling games.
being rolled Smaller box calligraphy. The end of the
inside larger one New Year was celebrated by

IDLE AMUSEMENT Die the Lantern Festival.
These 19th-century gambling The emperor
tablets come from the eastern AN IMPERIAL
port of Shanghai. Gambling Tai Zu playing CENTer FORWARD
was popular in China, football about The Song emperor Tai
especially among merchants. Zu enjoyed playing
Because they were barred from 965 a.d.
all the important positions in football with
society, Chinese merchants members of his
spent many of their leisure
hours at the gambling table. court. Women
also took part

in games of
Chinese

football, which
involved skillful ball
control and passing rather

50

Long kite is HIGH AS A KITE
aerodynamically designed The Chinese

to help it stay airborne probably invented
QUICK STICKS kites about 3,000
Gambling sticks have existed in China years€ago. In the Han
since at least the Han dynasty. Games dynasty kites were used to frighten
were probably played by shaking the the enemy in battle. Later they were
sticks out of a pot onto a table. These flown to celebrate festivals. Kites were
kinds of sticks were also used for often made in animal shapes and could
fortunetelling. An expert “read” the first be€very long indeed. This modern kite has
stick shaken out of the container to a dragon’s head and a centipede’s body.
predict future events. Beautifully carved
horned sheep
with€lambs

Seal impression
reads: “Offering
congratulations on
the New Year”

PLAYING CARDS SEALED WITH GOOD WISHES
The Chinese invented The words of this 18th-century seal
playing cards, and a large extend greetings for the New Year.
number of card games were Seals like this may have been stamped
developed over the on family correspondence during the
centuries. These cards come New Year period. The New Year festival
from three different packs. was a time of family reunion. Every
There were 30 cards in a family member made it a special duty
standard pack. to return home to share in feasts and
Cylindrical
bamboo celebrations with relatives.
container
Carved
51 jade€dragon,
Ming dynasty
NEW YEAR DRAGONS
People believed the dragon brought
happiness and good fortune, and it
embodied the generous spirit of the
New Year festival. Good wishes and
hospitality were plentiful at the New
Year. People visited each
other bearing gifts, and
young family members
paid respects to senior
relatives. It was
believed that a year
of bad luck would
plague anyone who
turned away a visitor.

Living in harmony

HISTORY IN SONG In imperial China, music was thought to be an important part of
In later imperial China, opera
civilized life. At the royal palace, the court orchestra played when the
was the most popular form emperor received visitors or held banquets. Beautiful ceremonial music
of theater. Operas usually also accompanied religious rituals. Confucius thought music was almost
related stories based on great as necessary as food. He believed that playing an instrument, singing, or
historical events, often with a listening to a suitable musical composition
great deal of humor mixed encouraged a sense of inner harmony. On the
in. Characters were identified other hand, he thought that certain kinds of
by their vividly painted faces. music led to rowdy or violent behavior, and
Traditional Chinese opera is he condemned these as immoral. As an
still performed. The scene unknown scholar remarked, “The
above is from a production greatest music is that filled with the
most delicate sounds.”
in Shanghai.

Assembled Band to hold
sheng pipes together

The sheng, seen Long, flowing
here in pieces, sleeve
is made up of
17 pipes

Wind Dancer
chamber Harp
and mouthÂ

Bridge MANY STRINGS ATTACHED
The yang qin, or “foreign zither,”
Perforations was a late addition to the Chinese
let sound orchestra. It was introduced into
out€of box China in about the 18th century
and soon became popular. The
Wooden Tuning Tuning pegs yang qin is played by striking the
beaters tool strings with a pair of delicate
beaters. Its 14 strings produce a
wide range of silvery notes.

Lacquered
board

Bridge

19th-century qin THE LYRICAL LUTE Mother-of-pearl
Strings are The classical lute, or qin, is a kind of Chinese zither disks indicate
finger positions
plucked by hand with seven strings. The qin dates back more than
2,000 years, and older designs had up to 20 strings.

The music of the qin was greatly admired for its
gentle, plaintive quality, and it was a favorite
instrument in imperial China.

Remnants of COURT ORCHESTRA
blue paint on Many court occasions were
accompanied by music. These
headdress female musicians are playing
Flute
various wind and string
Lute instruments, including the sheng,
the flute, and the qin. The musician

in the bottom right corner is
playing another popular Chinese

instrument, the drum.

53

Gardens of Heaven

NATURE PERFECTED The Chinese looked on gardens as works of art. The main
The natural arrangement of the
Chinese garden can be seen in this elements of a garden were the same as those of a traditional landscape
19th-century painting of the palace painting – craggy mountains and still water. These appeared in gardens
gardens in Beijing. Visitors to these as outcrops of weatherworn rock and tranquil lakes or ponds. Chinese
famous landscape gardens felt they gardens were designed to reflect nature in other ways. Trees were
were entering a natural paradise. allowed to grow into interesting gnarled shapes, and plants and flowers
Artificial hills and lakes, bright were cultivated in natural-looking clumps. The garden was a place for
flowers, elegant pines, and quiet thought and spiritual refreshment. Unexpected features that
ornamental rocks were inspired the imagination were prized, and graceful pavilions and
creatively assembled bridges enhanced the impression of natural harmony. Towns and cities
to reflect the glories were planned to include secluded parks where, as a Ming garden
of nature. treatise promised, the urban population could find “stillness in the

midst of the city turmoil.”

Detail from With its sweet
purse decoration song, the Chinese
cicada was a
welcome visitor
to the garden

The bright, Lotus-shaped cup KING OF FLOWERS
dancing butterfly carved from horn The peony symbolized spring.
SACRED BLOSSOMS It was known as the “king of
was a symbol The lotus was regarded as the
of€joy supreme flower of summer. Its flowers” because of its large,
pale blossoms graced the tranquil red petals. Chinese gardeners
lakes and pools of many Chinese
parks and gardens. The lotus was planted peonies in dense
seen as a symbol of purity and clumps or along walls.
was sacred to both the Buddhist Swallowtail butterfly
and Daoist religions.

Peony

NATURE STUDY THE KINGDOM OF FLOWERS
This 19th-century purse is The Chinese loved flowers, as the
beautifully embroidered with a
butterfly and a cicada. The floral motif of this embroidered
Chinese had great respect for sleeve band shows. China was
such tiny creatures because
Buddhism taught that every known as the “Flowery Kingdom.”
living thing had a special value. It is the original home of many
Gardens were an ideal place for flowers, trees, and fruits now
the study of nature. The Song
emperor Hui Zong held grown throughout the world. The
competitions in the painting of orange, the tea rose, the plane
flowers, birds, and insects in the
lovely palace gardens of Kaifeng. tree, the rhododendron, and the
Chinese gooseberry, which is
commonly known as the kiwi

fruit, are all native Chinese plants.

54

FLOWER POWER
Garden plants and flowers were prized
for their symbolic value as well as for
their natural beauty. The winter plum
blossom, for example, symbolized
personal renewal, and the tough
bamboo plant stood for strength
and lasting friendship. These
exquisite lacquer boxes from the
Ming dynasty are carved with
some of China’s most popular
flowers, including the peony and
the chrysanthemum.

NATURALLY INSPIRED
Gardens were favorite places for literary
meetings. These Ming scholars have
gathered in a garden to read and write
poetry. An “ink boy” prepares a supply
of ink to make sure that the scholar
who is about to compose verse will not
have to interrupt his flow once
inspiration strikes.

FLOWER OF FORTUNE
The narcissus was a
favorite New Year

flower. The opening of
its delicate buds was

thought to bring good
luck for the year ahead.
Details from sleeve
band decoration

FRUIT OF PARADISE LASTING BEAUTY A lovely butterfly
The bright red fruit of the The chrysanthemum, flower of attracted to fragrant
lychee tree adorned many autumn, was esteemed for the garden flowers
gardens in southern China. variety and richness of its colors.
This attractive fruit was also Because it outlasted the frost, the The chrysanthemum
prized for its juicy white flesh. chrysanthemum was adopted as was carefully
the Chinese symbol for long life.
The peach is a cultivated in China
symbol of eternal life

55

Arts and crafts

BEAUTIFUL BRONZe China has always been renowned for its exquisite arts and crafts. In
In ancient China, bronze was
made into stunning ritual imperial China, luxury goods formed the major export commodities –
vessels and weaponry. This Chinese bronze, jade, silk, lacquer, and porcelain were prized in Asia and
circular fitting, which dates Europe. Although the manufacture of decorative objects involved
from Shang times, probably sophisticated techniques, many were mass-produced. From the Shang
decorated a harness or a shield. dynasty onward, Chinese rulers controlled the supply of raw materials
Later, in about the 6th century
b.c., the Chinese refined the and ran government factories manned by skilled
process of iron casting. From artisans who applied their crafts to different stages
then on government iron of the manufacturing processes. Unlike the
foundries produced iron and merchants who sold their handiwork, artisans
even steel in bulk. were well thought of in China. After the
scholars and the peasant farmers, artisans
were considered the most important
members of society. They produced tools for
agriculture and weapons for the army as well
as luxury items such as decorated tableware
and fine silk cloth.

Underside Mother-of-pearl inlay
of teacup

Lead glazes
run to give
a swirly
pattern

POTS OF STYLE Gold leaf or FIT FOR A KING
China is famous for its beautiful, highÂ

Ming RAINBOW COLORS
cup This lovely Qing-dynasty fish vase
THE MOST PRECIOUS STONE is decorated with cloisonné enamel.
Jade was highly prized from
pre-Shang times. This lustrous This enameling technique was a
gemstone occurs in soft foreign invention first produced in
greens, grays, and
browns and is satiny China in the early Ming dynasty.
smooth when At first, many Chinese thought
polished. The the bright colors used for
Chinese believed cloisonné ware were vulgar,
that jade was but by the 15th century
vested with cloisonné was
magical used to decorate
properties, and spectacular palace
it has long been ornaments.
associated with
immortality. Treating
silk€cocoons
The fish is SILK PRODUCTION LINE
a€sacred€Buddhist The Chinese made silk from at
least 3,000 b.c. In imperial China,
symbol that silk manufacture was a wellÂ

The Silk Road

THE MONGOL CONQUEST Trade flourished under the Mongol, or Yuan,
The Mongols came from north
of€the€Great Wall. They were herdsmen dynasty. The Mongol emperors ruled China from
who had expert cavalry skills, which 1279 to 1368 and permitted merchants to trade freely
made their army virtually unbeatable. throughout their vast empire. They controlled the entire
After years of fighting, Genghis Khan length of the Silk Road, a series of trade routes that ran
(1167–1227) conquered China. By 1279, from northern China across Asia. International trade thrived
the empire was under complete Mongol because caravans could travel without danger. Chinese merchants
control. Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai amassed large fortunes by exporting luxury goods such as silk,
Khan, ruled almost the whole of East spices, teas, porcelain, and lacquerware. At home in China, the
Asia until his death in 1294. Mongols removed the usual restraints placed upon merchants.
Traditionally, merchants were excluded from civil service jobs and
were subject to heavy taxes. But for most of their rule, the Mongols
ignored the opinions of Chinese officials, and the social position of
merchants temporarily improved.

PORCELAIN PERFECTION THE LAND OF SILK
This magnificent porcelain The Silk Road took its
jar from the Yuan dynasty is name€from China’s most
an example of the finely
successful export
crafted ceramics that were commodity. From the
exported to Asia and Shang empire onward,
Europe. The blue-and- the€Chinese exported fine
white style became
widely popular in the silk cloth to Asia and
Ming dynasty, which Europe. The Romans
succeeded the Yuan. knew China as Serica,
which means “Land of

Silk.” The secret of
silkmaking was
eventually smuggled
out of China, but the

Chinese remained the
major exporters of
silk to the West until
the 19th century.

Blue-and-white Hole allowed Butterfly
jar, 14th century coin to be Peony
Knife-shaped
bronze coin, threaded on
c. 500 b.c. a string

A standard round
coin introduced by
the First Emperor

Silver pieces,
used as money
throughout the
Chinese empire

MAKING MONEY Clipped Money Standard-sized
In ancient times, traveling coin shaped like bolts of silk cloth
merchants€used silver money shaped a shoe
like knives or spades. The First were used as
Emperor introduced round bronze Silver money from the
coins, known as cash. They remained ingot
in use for more than 2,000 years. Han to the
Paper money first appeared in the Tang€dynasty
11th century and was widely used in
the Yuan dynasty.

58

Camels formed long MARCO POLO
caravans that During the Yuan dynasty the Khans kept the
traveled along
the€Silk Road peace along the Silk Road, which allowed
foreigners to make the treacherous journey from
Europe to China. Marco Polo (1254–1324) was a
Venetian merchant who traveled to China, then
known in Europe as Cathay, in the 13th century.
He became a favorite of Kublai Khan and served

as an esteemed official in his civil service for
nearly 20 years. After his return to Italy, he wrote

his famous Travels of Marco Polo. The book gave
Europe its first glimpse of the fabulous wealth

and culture of the Chinese empire.
Saddle

Water bottle

Kublai Khan with THE LONGEST JOURNEY
his horsemen The Silk Road wound its way
THE GREAT KHAN across the dry, barren lands that
Kublai Khan’s reign (1216–94) in China linked the oasis-cities of central
was at the highest point of Mongol power. Asia. Camels were the only beasts
The Mongol empire stretched from Asia of burden that could survive these
to Europe, although expeditions sent harsh conditions. They carried
to conquer Japan and Java failed.
Kublai Khan established a only luxury goods because
glittering capital at Kanbula, transport was expensive
which is present-day and€difficult.
Beijing. After the Great Ceramic Bactrian
Khan died, the Mongol camel, Tang dynasty
emperors struggled to
maintain control over
China, but in 1368 the
Chinese Ming dynasty
succeeded in driving
the Mongols back
into Mongolia.

Great ocean voyages A FLEET OF JUNKS
At the time of Admiral Zheng He’s
After the Mongols were driven out of China, the voyages, no fleet in the world could
match the great ships of the Chinese
emperors of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) felt they navy. Zheng He commanded a fleet
needed to restore Chinese prestige. They strengthened of oceangoing junks, the traditional
the Great Wall, improved the Grand Canal, built a kind of Chinese sailing vessel. Some
new capital at Beijing, and dispatched of these junks are known to have had
Admiral Zheng He to visit foreign a displacement of 1,500 tons. They
rulers. Between 1405 and 1433, were five times the size of Vasco da
Zheng He led seven expeditions Gama’s ships, which 70 years later
into the “Western Ocean.” As a rounded the Cape of Good Hope and
result, more foreign rulers than ever
before recognized the ascendancy of sailed into the Indian Ocean.
the Chinese empire. Even distant The stiffened lugsail
Egypt sent back an ambassador to was a Chinese
Beijing. Unlike European ships, which invention
soon arrived in this part of the world,
Zheng He’s great fleet was not used
to set up forts, control trade, or
capture slaves. His voyages were
peaceful demonstrations of Chinese
naval power. When an African
king sent a giraffe as a gift,
Emperor Yong Lo said it was
“a sign of perfect virtue, perfect
government, and perfect harmony
in the empire and the world.”

China

• Hormuz Nanjing •
• Chittagong
• Jidda India

Africa Calicut Malacca
• Malindi • •
Galle • Sri Lanka

Achea •

Sumatra Borneo
Java Surabaya
•

ZHENG HE’S VOYAGES Painted eye for
The map above shows the routes taken the boat to
by Zheng He. In 1405 he was see€with
dispatched on his first expedition
by the Ming emperor Yong Lo
(1402–24). On this voyage Zheng
He visited Java, Sumatra,
Malacca, Sri Lanka, and India. He
took a great fleet of 317 ships
manned by 27,870 men. Later,
Zheng He visited Arabia and
the east coast of Africa.

A 20th-century illustration
of Admiral Zheng He

60

Bamboo battens stiffen
the sail and make
it easier to roll up
in high winds

Star chart for the Combined
journey between compass and
sundial
Sumatra and NAVIGATING AT SEA
Sri€Lanka The Chinese invented the magnetic
compass and the star chart, vital aids
to navigation. By using these
inventions, Zheng He could plot
courses straight across the seas
instead of hugging the coastlines
and risking shipwreck.

Mizzen mast

Rudder

Model of a traditional Chinese junk

61

The end of the empire

A WISE RULER During the last 250 years of the Chinese empire, the throne was
The second Qing emperor,
Kangxi, successfully secured occupied by the Manchus, a non-Chinese people from north of the Great
Manchu rule in China. He was Wall. China prospered for the first 150 years of the Manchu, or Qing,
a wise emperor who respected dynasty (1644–1911). The emperors Kangxi (1662–1722) and
Chinese culture. Unlike the Qianlong (1735–96) were enlightened rulers who supported
previous foreign rulers, the Chinese art and culture and maintained the imperial civil service.
Mongols, Kangxi employed However, the Qing emperors feared that change might lead to a
Chinese scholars in the civil Chinese rebellion, and they clung to outdated traditions. For the
service. Many Chinese became first time Chinese technology fell behind other countries.
loyal to the Qing dynasty. Britain, France, Russia, and later Japan began to bully the
PATRON OF THE ARTS vulnerable Qing empire in order to gain trade
Kangxi’s grandson concessions. In 1839 a Chinese official in Canton tried to
Qianlong€enjoyed a long stop the import of opium, which British ships brought
and prosperous reign. from India to exchange for tea. Britain declared war on
He€admired Chinese art, China and secured a swift victory. This encouraged
and it flourished under other countries to demand trade concessions and
his patronage. Qianlong awards of territory. The Qing dynasty was unable to
filled the imperial palace withstand the superior firepower of the invaders, and
with a magnificent in 1900 an international force captured Beijing. In 1911,
collection of paintings the Chinese overthrew their weakened Manchu rulers to
and artifacts, such as this set up a republic. The last Qing emperor, the infant Puyi
beautiful elephant. (1906–67), was forced to step down in 1912, bringing to
an end 2,000 years of imperial history.

UNDER A FOREIGN HOUSE
This painting shows the splendor of the Qing court at
Beijing. The Manchu, or Qing, emperors admired and
copied the sophisticated culture they had conquered, but
they kept the Chinese firmly under control. Although
Chinese scholars were recruited to the civil service, 50
percent of all appointments were reserved for Manchus.
The emperor Qianlong feared that foreign ideas might
cause unrest among his Chinese subjects. For this reason,

he refused to allow more international trade.

62

Boxer rebels DEADLY TRADE
Opium was a drug used in China, but the
THE BOXER REBELLION
In 1900, the Boxers, an Qing emperors banned its import when
anti-foreign society in the British began to sell it in vast
northern China, destroyed quantities. The British traded
imported goods and specially grown Indian
attacked Christian opium for tea and other
missions. An international prized Chinese exports
force suppressed the uprising because the Chinese
and occupied Beijing. It was the were uninterested in
last straw for the Chinese empire. British goods.

BY FAIR MEANS OR FOUL The top of the
This priceless scepter was presented to scepter is made
in the shape of
the emperor Qianlong by the French. a sacred
In the final years of the empire, there fungus
was intense rivalry between European Scepter
studded with
powers to become the dominant precious jewels
influence in China. France later seized
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, which 19th-century
opium pipe
were ancient Chinese allies.

Qing good wishes
symbols

THE OPIUM WARS THE LAST EMPEROR
In 1839, commissioner Li Zexu tried to The last Emperor Puyi
stop the British from trading in opium at (1909–1912) was placed on the
the port of Canton. Britain sent throne at the age of three. Only
gunboats to support the opium traders, three years later, revolutionaries
and easily defeated the Chinese, as seen established a republican
above. The British forced China to open government and forced him to
four more ports to foreign trade and to abdicate. Puyi was allowed to
give Hong Kong to Britain. This was remain in the Forbidden City
the beginning of the end. Soon with his attendants, but
China had to open ten more ports conditions worsened until he
and give territory away to France, fled to a Japanese colony in
Russia, and other foreign powers. 1924. When the Japanese
invaded Manchuria in 1931,
Puyi was made emperor of
their€puppet state, renamed
Manchukuo. After the war, Puyi
was imprisoned in China. Freed
in 1959, he spent his last years
in Beijing in a garden workshop.

63

Did you know?

AMAZING FACTS

Chinese acrobats have performed Chinese The Chinese lantern is an
important symbol of long life
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Originating as far back as 250 BCE,
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considered lucky because it
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so large, it required several people
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the animals in the In ancient China, simple firecrackers
were made by roasting bamboo to
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Chinese shar-pei dog cat, dragon, snake,
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have been found in horse, goat, monkey, an education was expected to greet
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person in poetic verse, composed
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common fixture on year of its own, bestowing the achieved national fame by
having verses they composed
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hundreds of years, serving animal to people born in that
Giant pandas date back two to three
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need in the afterlife in Giant
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using chopsticks to eat food belongings were

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think that as the Chinese population and miniature clay

grew, people had to conserve models were made

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small pieces before cooking it, so Typical models included

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sized foods eliminated the need for animals, grain silos, servants,

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from other woods, plastic, porcelain,

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since they thought that silver would orchestras with as many as 700

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together once a week in the mornings,

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inscriptions on the oracle bones

made in the late Shang period

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carvings were written records worm eggs or cocoons outside of China

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Chopsticks

64

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

QWhat is the history of the Great QWhen and why was Boats on the Grand Canal
Wall of China? the Grand Canal
constructed? QWhat is the Shaolin Temple? Why
AIn ancient times, there were many is it important?
VPDOOHU ZDOOV SURWHFWLQJ &KLQD AThe Grand Canal,
During the 3rd century BCE, a unified the world’s oldest and AProbably the most famous temple in
wall was built to deter raiding tribes from longest canal, is 1,114 miles China, the Shaolin Temple is renowned
PRGHUQ GD\ 0RQJROLD DQG 0DQFKXULD (1,795 km) long, with 24 for its role in the development of both
Workers were pulled in from all over ORFNV DQG DURXQG EULGJHV &KLQHVH %XGGKLVP DQG WKH PDUWLDO DUWV
&KLQD PDQ\ RI WKHP GLHG GXULQJ WKH The canal was built as a The temple was established in 495 in the
FRQVWUXFWLRQ SHULRG 7KH SUHVHQW GD\ :DOO commercial waterway to Songshan Mountains to house Batuo,
was built near the same site, mainly during FRQQHFW WKH qULFH ERZOr D FHOHEUDWHG ,QGLDQ PRQN ,Q DQRWKHU
WKH 0LQJ G\QDVW\ t 7KH *UHDW agricultural regions in the PRQN %RGKLGKDUPD VHWWOHG LQ WKLV WHPSOH
Wall winds along the southern edge of the south with the dry northern Legend has it that after meditating in
Mongolian plain, across deserts, SODLQV 7KH ROGHVW VHFWLRQ a cave for nine years, he created a form
grasslands, mountains, and plateaus, for linking the Yangtze and of primitive boxing that became known as
DQ DVWRQLVKLQJ PLOHV NP %XLOW Huang He Rivers, was built in NXQJ IX $IWHU D WLQ\ DUP\ RI 6KDROLQ PRQNV
HQWLUHO\ E\ KDQG LW DYHUDJHV IHHW P WKH WK DQG WK FHQWXULHV %&( scored an impressive defeat using kung fu,
KLJK DQG LV WR IHHW t P WKLFN DW By the mid-19th century, the canal had the temple became a thriving center for
LWV EDVH WDSHULQJ WR D WKLQQHU WRS 6LQFH fallen into disrepair, but the government &KLQHVH NXQH IX PDVWHUV
1949, two sections of the wall near Beijing dredged, repaired, and modernized the
have been reconstructed and are V\VWHP LQ WKH HDUO\ V 7RGD\ WRXULVWV FDQ Record Breakers
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QWhat is China’s Forbidden City? 157, over a period of more than 2,000 years
Who lived there?
)ƂƋƌƍ žƆƉžƋƈƋ
AThe Imperial Palace in the heart Ying Zheng, who gave himself the title Qin
of Beijing was the residence 6KL +XDQJGL ZDV WKH ILUVW WR UXOH DOO RI &KLQD
RI HPSHURUV IRU QHDUO\ \HDUV
2ƅŽžƌƍ žƆƉžƋƈƋ
Popularly known as the Forbidden Emperor Wudi died at age 70, after ruling for
DQ LQFUHGLEOH \HDUV
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2Ƈƅƒ žƆƉƋžƌƌ
EHWZHHQ DQG 7KLV SDODWLDO Empress Wu Zetian, the only female to rule
DV HPSHURU VHUYHG IURP WR
complex is surrounded by 10-foot
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Its buildings represent the largest and 6ƁƈƋƍžƌƍ ƋžƂƀƇ
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best-preserved examples of Chinese

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The Outer Court was the seat of

government and the site of important

The Great Wall of China ceremonies, while the Inner Court was
the residential area for the emperor and

QWhen were the Terracotta Warriors WKH LPSHULDO KRXVHKROG
and Horses discovered?
QWhat is the Summer Palace? Who
AIn 1974, a group of farmers digging for a created it, and why?
well in the Shaanxi province uncovered
VRPH ELWV RI YHU\ ROG SRWWHU\ 7KLV GUHZ WKH ALocated just northwest of Beijing, the
immediate attention of archeologists, because Summer Palace is the largest imperial

the pottery fragments were so close to the garden in the world and an incredible

unexcavated tomb of example of

WKH )LUVW (PSHURU classical Chinese

Once experts had gardening

established that these DQG DUFKLWHFWXUH

artifacts were Construction

associated with the Qin began in 1750

Dynsasty, they arrived as a gift for the

LQ GURYHV :KDW WKH\ emperor’s mother,

found became one of and took 15 years

the most astonishing WR FRPSOHWH 7KH

archeological park is a vast

excavations of the 20th landscape of hills

century: the Terracotta and water, dotted

:DUULRUV DQG +RUVHV ZLWK WHPSOHV

The tomb itself, Tourists can now

rumored to contain enjoy what was

rare gems and other once the private

treasures, has still not retreat of the

EHHQ H[FDYDWHG The terracotta warriors LPSHULDO IDPLO\

65

Timeline

Neolithic Chinese jar TȩȦ &ȩȪȯȦȴȦ ȱȦȰȱȭȦ ȩȢȷȦ ȴȩȢȳȦȥ Ȣ ȤȰȮȮȰȯ Animal-face
handles, Han
FXOWXUH ORQJHU WKDQ DQ\ RWKHU JURXS RI SHRSOH
Dynasties were launched and overturned, Dynasty
emperors rose to power or were crushed in
defeat, but the basic system of rule established in
%&( VXUYLYHG XQWLO ,Q DGGLWLRQ WKH
Chinese people have maintained their cultural identity
throughout their tumultuous history by means of a
stable social structure and a 4,000-year-old writing
V\VWHP +HUH LV D WLPHOLQH WR NH\ HYHQWV

ż 10,000 BCE ż ʛ %&( &KLQHVH RIILFLDO

7KH (DUO\ 1HROLWKLF SHULRG EHJLQV LQ &KLQD Shang Dynasty establishes its rule in the t BCE
As in other parts of the world, Neolithic &HQWUDO 3ODLQV 7KH 6KDQJ EXLOW ZDOOHG WRZQV
settlements grew up along the main river and cities, palaces, royal tombs, and 4LQ '\QDVW\ SURQRXQFHG qFKLQ r WKXV
V\VWHPV ,Q &KLQD WKH GRPLQDQW ULYHUV DUH ZRUNVKRSV IRU PDNLQJ EURQ]H REMHFWV 0DQ\ providing the Western name for China)
the Yellow River in central and northern Shang bronzes feature a distinctive two-eyed begins, when the Qin state in the northwest
China, and the Yangtze in southern and PDVN GHVLJQ FDOOHG WKH WDRWLH PRQVWHU IDFH RI &KLQD XQLWHV WKH ZKROH FRXQWU\ 7KH NLQJ
HDVWHUQ &KLQD Shang artisans were also excellent jade RI 4LQ EHFRPHV WKH )LUVW (PSHURU RI &KLQD
FDUYHUV 7KH ILUVW &KLQHVH ZULWLQJ SUREDEO\ He builds lavish palaces and erects stone
ż 5000 BCE HPHUJHG GXULQJ WKLV WLPH WDEOHWV SUDLVLQJ KLV DFKLHYHPHQWV 7R
strengthen his rule, he orders that all works

Around this time, there were farming ʛ BCE of literature and philosophy be burned, and
YLOODJHV DORQJ WKH <HOORZ 5LYHU YDOOH\V VFKRODUV DUH EXULHG DOLYH 8QGHU WKLV
People used polished stone tools, Zhou Dynasty begins after the Shang dynasty, the Chinese script, currency, and
kept pigs and dogs, and grew DUH GHIHDWHG LQ EDWWOH 7KH V\VWHP RI PHDVXUHPHQWV DUH VWDQGDUGL]HG
PLOOHW ZKHDW DQG EDUOH\ 7KH\ Zhou king divided up the land The emperor also creates the Great Wall of
made pottery jars to store their LQWR KXJH HVWDWHV +H JLYHV China (in part from existing walls) to protect
food, formed by stacking coils control of these estates, as well his empire, and an army of terracotta soldiers
of clay into the desired shape as chariots, textiles, and slaves, WR SURWHFW KLP LQ WKH DIWHUOLIH
and smoothing the surfaces WR KLV UHODWLYHV 7KHVH ORUGV
ZLWK SDGGOHV 7KH SRWWHU\ ZDV rule over the peasants and %&(ʛ&(
decorated with red and black VODYHV ZKR ZRUN WKH ODQG 7KH
pigments, featuring images of Zhou reign longer that any Han Dynasty begins after a peasant uprising
SODQWV DQLPDOV DQG KXPDQV RWKHU G\QDVW\ overthrows the Qin Dynasty shortly
DIWHU WKH GHDWK RI WKH )LUVW (PSHURU

Each village probably had a 481ʛ BCE The Han establish a civil service that
cluster of houses around a large will help to govern China’s

central building for meetings, and a Silk tomb Warring States period begins as population for the next 2,000
SXEOLF FHPHWHU\ EHKLQG WKH KRXVHV draping the kings and lords of the \HDUV 7KH ZHVWHUQ +DQ FDSLWDO
Zhou begin to lose control of Chang’an, is a huge urban
ż 4500 BCE WKH FRXQWU\ 7KH ORUGV WXUQ center with palaces,
on each other in an attempt government buildings,
In this era early rice farmers built to gain land, staging houses, and markets, and is
KRXVHV RQ VWLOWV QHDU WKH <DQJW]H 5LYHU enormous battles in which one of the two largest cities
Their pottery differed in shape from hundreds of thousands of in the ancient world (Rome
that of their northern neighbors, and ZDUULRUV ORVH WKHLU OLYHV EHLQJ WKH RWKHU $JULFXOWXUH
LQFOXGHG WULSRG VKDSHG SRWWHU\ 7KH\ Early Chinese scholars react and industry develop rapidly
ODWHU GHYHORSHG D SRWWHUpV ZKHHO to this situation by creating during this period, and ox
These people made beautiful carvings new ways of thinking about plows and iron tools are in
on stone, bones, and especially the world, which we now ZLGHVSUHDG XVH 3RHWU\
FDOO SKLORVRSK\ literature, and philosophy
jade—a very difficult and time- IORXULVK DW WKLV WLPH
consuming substance to work
ZLWK GXH WR LWV KDUGQHVV ż 400 BCE

ż %&( The earliest extant paintings on %&(
The Bronze Age VLON GDWH WR WKLV WLPH
Emperor Wudi sends an
EHJLQV LQ &KLQD ,Q official named Zhang Qian on
contrast to the
551 BCE a trip to central Asia to seek
allies (on an earlier trip, Qian

European Bronze Chinese philosopher Confucius is had been captured and held

Age, the Chinese did ERUQ 'XULQJ KLV OLIHWLPH KH KDV KRVWDJH E\ +XQV 4LDQ LV WKH

not make bronze many rivals, but his teachings first person to record

IDUPLQJ WRROV ,QVWHDG later become the basis for the anything about central

they made elaborate state religion of China and Asia and its people, and

bronze items for use are followed by every trade between central

Jade tortoise LQ UHOLJLRXV FHUHPRQLHV Confucius statue Asia and China along

66

the Silk Road a Buddhist text ż
increases
GUDPDWLFDOO\ called the Genghis Khan unites
ż CE 100 Diamond Sutra, is several nomadic tribes
made in China to establish the
The earliest known using woodblock
example of hemp paper SULQWLQJ 0RQJRO HPSLUH
with Chinese
writing on it dates to &( ʛ ż
DURXQG WKLV WLPH
ZlVd7bppFiRDivireeKvviQXearneiLidsWJdOogHKaD edsGk n Wd yi\$dKtbnnQiorHe gnaQeD wgdtsVbVXoitRonWnePi\Xmenls tl sWEoi&hasKoHrseK nstULpahL VQR rGaIDi nLn VYLgKVdL GRuHUpWG i LnQtWRh eVPnoDrOOt hVW,DWHVP aper-maZkiKnDgW mKHo lKdDV VHHEOQu nrLQoIhR p&iUes KaPrLneQMRostDU9ufDHwaH arUHr nUieWQctmLK,oYLhrFhDHeePHQrVemr eo c L,d plhaQWoa oDia n,&zO rn\\tzstKhtsH l teLDfeohQrsUofseDVom r en
&( ʛ
&( ʛ t
Period of disunity as
the Han dynasty is Song Dynasty emerges to reunite China in Yuan Dynasty established after Kublai Khan
under pressure from DQ HUD RI JUHDW VRFLDO DQG HFRQRPLF FKDQJH (Genghis Khan’s grandson) leads the
UHEHOV 3HRSOH ULVH XS Metalwork, lacquer, textiles, and other Mongolian army into battle against the Song
against the Han luxury goods are produced for domestic use '\QDVW\ DQG ZLQV 7KH 0RQJROV QRZ LQ
Dynasty, eventually DQG WUDGH )LQH SRUFHODLQ DQG JUHHQ JOD]HG
EULQJLQJ DERXW LWV FROODSVH celadon wares are particularly important control of the entire Silk Road,
During this troubled time, the WUDGHG JRRGV 3ULQWLQJ DQG SDSHU PDNLQJ IRFXV RQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO WUDGLQJ
faith known as Buddhism takes hold in also develop quickly, and artists paint Many Europeans begin to make
&KLQD 3DSHU SUREDEO\ LQYHQWHG LQ WKH HQRUPRXV ODQGVFDSHV 3DSHU PRQH\ LV DOVR their way to China, taking
second century BCE, is now in widespread LQYHQWHG GXULQJ WKLV HUD Chinese innovations and
use as methods of paper-making have LQYHQWLRQV EDFN WR WKH :HVW
LPSURYHG
ż t
&( ʛ Song government encourages the spread
of schools and provides support for them Ming Dynasty begins as
Sui Dynasty reunites northern and DFURVV &KLQD
southern China, and a period of prosperity the Chinese push out
and growing influence in the world ż 1041
EHJLQV 7KH *UHDW :DOO RI &KLQD LV UHSDLUHG %L 6KHQJ LQYHQWV PRYDEOH W\SH IRU SULQWLQJ WKH 0RQJROV 7KLV LV WKH
and expanded, and the Grand Canal He makes a separate block for each character
linking the Yangtze and Yellow rivers is RXW RI FOD\ 7KH EORFNV FDQ EH DUUDQJHG IRU ODVW &KLQHVH G\QDVW\
GXJ 7KH RSHQLQJ RI WKLV ZDWHUZD\ SULQWLQJ DQG WKHQ UHXVHG
strengthens trade and communication Ming emperors build
OLQNV DURXQG WKH HPSLUH ż 1044
most of what we now
&( ʛ
see of the Great Wall, and
Tang Dynasty rules during what is known as
WKH *ROGHQ $JH RI &KLQHVH KLVWRU\ ,Q WKH LPSURYH WKH *UDQG &DQDO
early years of the Tang, nomadic tribes in the
north are subdued, so there is peace and Ming vase The Ming Dynasty is famous
VDIHW\ DORQJ WKH WUDGH URXWHV 0HQ ZLWK for its beautiful arts and crafts,
merit—but without family connections—are
ILQDOO\ DOORZHG WR MRLQ WKH JRYHUQPHQW 7KH especially blue and white
population grows and both agriculture and
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literature flourishes during this dynasty, as
exemplified by the poets Li Bai and Du Fu, The earliest formula for making gunpowder t
the painter Wu Daozi, and the poet/painter LV UHFRUGHG
:DQJ :HL Chinese explorer Zheng He makes his seven
ż 1050 YR\DJHV RI GLVFRYHU\ +LV WUDYHOV WDNH KLP WR
ż &( Printed books are in widespread use across Southeast Asia, India, the Persian Gulf, and
&KLQD %RRNV DQG SDSHU DUH DOVR H[SRUWHG (DVW $IULFD +LV IOHHW LV WKH ODUJHVW LQ WKH
The Tang capital city of WR RWKHU ODQGV DORQJ WUDGH URXWHV ZRUOG DW WKH WLPH
Chang’an is now the world’s
ODUJHVW DQG ULFKHVW FLW\ ,W LV ż 1088 ż 1406
surrounded by a wall with
twelve ornate gateways, and Han Gonglian designs the first water-driven Construction begins on the Forbidden City,
contains a huge palace and DVWURQRPLFDO FORFN ,W WDNHV WKUHH \HDUV WR which will remain the home to China’s
JDUGHQ 0HUFKDQWV IURP DOO emperors until the end of the
over the world flock to the LPSHULDO HUD
FLW\ WR EX\ DQG VHOO JRRGV $Q
early banking system is Diamond Sutra scroll t
established to make business
WUDQVDFWLRQV HDVLHU construct this elaborate device, complete Qing Dynasty (led by the
ZLWK ZRRGHQ SXSSHWV WKDW EHDW GUXPV Manchu, a seminomadic
ż &( people from northeast
of the Great Wall) 3X\L F
Drinking tea as a leisure capture the Ming
DFWLYLW\ EHFRPHV SRSXODU VWDWH )RU WKH ILUVW WLPH
In earlier times, tea was used Chinese technology
FKLHIO\ DV D PHGLFLQH lags behind the rest of
the world, as the Qing
ż CE 868 cling to outdated
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The technique of woodblock printing is from foreign countries
SHUIHFWHG 7KH HDUOLHVW NQRZQ SULQWHG ERRN to allow trading
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after the Opium Wars
(1839 and 1856)
China is forced to
concede both trading

WOK AND ROLL Find out more

The art of cooking has been Iȧ ȺȰȶ ȢȳȦ ȦȷȦȳ ȭȶȤȬȺ ȦȯȰȶȨȩ ȵȰ ȫȰȶȳȯȦȺ ȵȰ CȩȪȯȢ, you
celebrated in China since
DQFLHQW WLPHV 7KH RQFH H[RWLF will be able to visit some of the incredible places in this book
spices, herbs, and vegetables DQG H[SORUH WKH ULFK KLVWRU\ RI LPSHULDO &KLQD %XW \RX PD\ QRW
that have been found in KDYH WR WUDYHO WKDW IDU WR ILQG RXW PRUH DERXW &KLQHVH KLVWRU\
Chinese kitchens for centuries Most large museums contain stunning examples of Chinese
are now easy to buy almost DUWLIDFWV IURP WRROV WR WH[WLOHV $ YLVLW WR \RXU ORFDO &KLQDWRZQ
DQ\ZKHUH &RRNLQJ XS D will give you a taste of Chinese culture, especially if you stop for a
delicious stir-fried meal in a PHDO <RX FDQ DOVR H[SORUH WKH
Chinese wok is fun, fast, and cultural history of China by
KHDOWK\ 6LJQ XS IRU D &KLQHVH DWWHQGLQJ DQ DUWV HYHQW
cooking class, or look for tasty
UHFLSHV RQ WKH ,QWHUQHW Dragon dancers
hoist a colorful
silk dragon in a
festival parade.

DOWN TO CHINATOWN

If there is a city in your area with
a Chinatown, a stroll through its
streets can be a fun way to find
RXW PRUH DERXW &KLQHVH FXOWXUH
Peer inside a traditional Chinese
medicine shop, explore the busy
open-air markets, and stop for a
ELWH WR HDW 3ODQ \RXU YLVLW WR
coincide with one of the major
Chinese festivals: Lunar New
Year, the Autumn Moon Festival,
the Winter Solstice Lantern
Procession, and the Dragon Boat
festival are celebrated with fairs,
parades, storytelling, crafts,
VSHFLDO IRRGV DQG ILUHZRUNV

SEE CHINESE ACROBATS USEFUL WEBSITES

Chinese acrobatics has evolved www.ancientchina.co.uk/menu.html
into a leading art form over The British Museum’s guide to ancient China
WKRXVDQGV RI \HDUV $WWHQG D
www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/
performance, and you will A cool learning site for children dedicated to ancient
see why these performers and Medieval China, with plenty of activities
were the favorites of
www.asianart.com
emperors and commoners A guide to the art of ancient China and Asia
DOLNH ,W WDNHV \HDUV RI WUDLQLQJ
and discipline for acrobats to www.condensedchina.com
UHDFK WKLV OHYHO RI VNLOO <RX ZLOO A beginner’s introduction to China’s history
be astounded by their daring and
VKHHU SUHFLVLRQ &KHFN \RXU
newspaper entertainment
listings or use the Internet to
ORFDWH D SHUIRUPDQFH

68

TRY AN ANCIENT CHINESE CRAFT Places to Visit
Anyone can put pen to paper, but imagine how
interesting it would be if that pen were ASIAN ART MUSEUM, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
a Chinese calligraphy brush, and One of the largest museums in the Western
the paper made by hand! Contact world devoted exclusively to Asian art, with
your local arts center (or ask the nearly 15,000 treasures in its collection
art teacher at school) if there are
calligraphy or paper-making DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS, DETROIT, MI
classes held near where A strong and diverse collection with over 2,600
you live, and try your artifacts in its permanent Asian art collection
hand at these ancient
&KLQHVH DUWV LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART,
LOS ANGELES, CA
Students wear The art of China at this museum includes
traditional clothing metalwork, lacquers, jades, and Buddhist art

when they THE CROW COLLECTION OF ASIAN ART,
learn kung fu. DALLAS, TX
The Arts of China collection focuses on the Qing
TAKE KUNG FU LESSONS Dynasty, with a great collection of carved jade
For children, martial arts
training has many rewards, from THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO,
increased self-confidence and CHICAGO, IL
motivation to overall physical and A rich collection of artifacts spanning nearly five
PHQWDO KHDOWK ,WpV DOVR IXQ 6LJQ XS WR millennia, from Chinese bronzes and ceramics to
learn kung fu, and practice this ancient textiles and archaic jades
martial art developed thousands of
\HDUV DJR LQ &KLQD <RXU ORFDO UHFUHDWLRQ PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART,
center may be a good source for PHILADELPHIA, PA
inexpensive classes, or you can check The amazing collection of Asian art includes an
WKH ,QWHUQHW RU WHOHSKRQH GLUHFWRU\ RULJLQDO &KLQHVH SDODFH KDOO

Chinese THE MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF THE
orchestra ARTS, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
member plays The Asian collection includes unique pieces
a traditional of Chinese furniture and paintings, and an
instrument. RULJLQDO UHFHSWLRQ KDOO IURP WKH 0LQJ G\QDVW\

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART,
NEWYORK, NY
The collection of Asian art here is among the
PRVW FRPSUHKHQVLYH LQ WKH :HVW

THE FREER GALLERY OF ART AND
ARTHUR M. SACKLER GALLERY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Explore more than 10,000 objects in one of
the Western world’s finest collections of
&KLQHVH DUW

SEE A CHINESE CONCERT VISIT A MUSEUM’S CHINESE ART COLLECTION
One of the best ways to learn about the history of an
Listening to the traditional music of DQFLHQW FXOWXUH LV WKURXJK LWV DUW )URP SDLQWLQJV WR
China is an ear-opening experience! lacquerware, the beauty and depth of imperial Chinese
The music of China is built on a DUW LV DPD]LQJ 0DQ\ PXVHXPV VXFK DV WKH 6HDWWOH
different harmonic system than most Asian Art Museum (above), feature outstanding
:HVWHUQ PXVLF 7KLV LV D UHVXOW RI VRPH &KLQHVH DUWLIDFWV LQ WKHLU SHUPDQHQW FROOHFWLRQV
of the amazing musical instruments
used in Chinese music, from the pipa
(grand lute) to the erhu (python-skin
ILGGOH 7UDGLWLRQDO &KLQHVH RUFKHVWUDV
often tour the United States, and many
performance halls offer educational
programs to help listeners better
XQGHUVWDQG WKH PXVLF

Glossary

ACUPUNCTURE An ancient Chinese CIVILIZATION $ FXOWXUH D SDUWLFXODU ELIXIR A mythical liquid thought to grant
system of healing in which fine needles society at a particular time and place HWHUQDO OLIH WR DQ\RQH ZKR GULQNV LW VRXJKW E\
are inserted at specific points just under both Chinese and European alchemists
the skin to stimulate and disperse the body’s CONFUCIANISM A philosophy based
flow of energy to relieve pain, or to treat a on the teachings of Confucius in the sixth FERRULE A cap attached to the end of a
variety of different FHQWXU\ %&( )ROORZHUV RI &RQIXFLDQLVP shaft for strength or to prevent splitting
medical hope to establish a better overall world by
conditions means of improving each individual FINIAL A decorative detail used to top an
ZLWKLQ WKHLU VRFLHW\ REMHFW 0DQFKX FDSV ZHUH WRSSHG ZLWK
Acupuncturist inserting needles ILQLDOV WKDW VKRZHG D FLYLO VHUYDQWpV UDQN
CONFUCIUS The ancient Chinese
ANCESTOR Someone from whom a philosopher and sage who lived from 551 GUNPOWDER a mixture
SHUVRQ LV GHVFHQGHG 7KH ZRUVKLS RI WR %&( +H EHFDPH &KLQDpV PRVW of chemicals (usually
ancestors has been important in China influential philosopher and a leading potassium nitrate,
VLQFH WKH 1HROLWKLF DJH SROLWLFDO UHIRUPHU charcoal, and
sulfur) that was
BODHISATTVA In Mahayana Buddhism, once used to ignite
DQ HQOLJKWHQHG EHLQJ D ILJXUH RI SURIRXQG fireworks, or as a
compassion who has already attained SURSHOODQW FKDUJH
enlightenment but postpones his or her own $OVR NQRZQ DV EODFN SRZGHU
hope of reaching eternal peace by helping
others who seek nirvana HALBERD A shafted weapon with an
D[OLNH FXWWLQJ EODGH VLPLODU WR WKH
Chinese quando

INKSTONE A smooth, hard, shallow tray of
stone or pottery, used to mix ink sticks or
cakes with water in calligraphy

BRONZE An alloy of copper (usually IRON CASTING Using a steady blast of

about 90 percent) and tin, often mixed with Great cormorant KHDW WR SURGXFH D VWURQJHU IRUP RI LURQ

VPDOO DPRXQWV RI RWKHU PHWDOV 6LQFH DQFLHQW developed by the Chinese in the 6th

times it has been the metal most commonly CORMORANT A dark-colored Asian century BCE

used in casting sculptures, because it is strong, seabird that plunges into the water and

GXUDEOH DQG HDV\ WR ZRUN VQDSV XS ILVK 7KH FRUPRUDQW VWRUHV LWV JADE A semiprecious gemstone, usually

catch in a stretchy pouch of skin on its green but sometimes whitish, that can be

BUDDHA The founder of Buddhism, born in ORQJ QHFN worked to a high polish

%& DV 6LGGKDUWKD *DXWDPD D SULQFH IURP

northern India who devoted his life to seeking CRIB Anything used to help a person JUNK A Chinese flat-bottomed sailing

enlightenment, or personal peace FKHDW RQ DQ H[DP IRU H[DPSOH WKH boat with a high stern

handkerchief covered with civil-service-

BUDDHISM A major world religion exam answers on page 19 LACQUER A waterproof

EDVHG RQ WKH WHDFKLQJV RI WKH %XGGKD varnish made by layering several

Buddhism took hold in ancient China CROSSBOW A weapon for shooting FRDWV RI WUHDWHG WUHH VDS &RORUV

and remains the most popular arrows, consisting of a bow placed can be combined and layered

EHOLHI WKHUH crosswise on a wooden stock that LQ UHOLHI DV ZHOO DV FDUYHG

is grooved to direct the arrow In Chinese art, the most popular

CALLIGRAPHY FRORUV DUH UHG DQG EODFN /DFTXHU

A style of beautiful DAOISM (or TAOISM) A system is applied to wood, bamboo, cloth,

handwriting created of philosophy that advocates a FHUDPLFV DQG PHWDOV

by using special pens simple, honest life and cautions

and brushes against interfering with the LONG In Chinese mythology,

course of natural events the name for a type of majestic

CIVIL SERVICE dragon that dwells in rivers, lakes,

A generic name DIVINATION STICKS Special DQG RFHDQV DQG DOVR URDPV WKH VNLHV

for all the people sticks used to help people foretell Long became the symbol of the

employed by the the future, by connecting with &KLQHVH HPSHURU

government to divine spirits

carry out public MAGNETIC COMPASS A

VHUYLFHV DYNASTY handheld instrument with a magnet

Successful A succession of rulers LQVLGH ZKLFK SLYRWV IUHHO\ %HFDXVH

candidates need from the same family Earth is a giant magnet, the magnet in

to pass tests RU OLQH LQ LPSHULDO &KLQD D the compass will always point

called civil succession of emperors who toward the Earth’s poles, to

VHUYLFH H[DPLQDWLRQV Calligraphy character were usually related Divination stick LQGLFDWH QRUWK DQG VRXWK

NAIL GUARDS PLOWSHARE In agriculture, a sharp
Decorative fingertip steel wedge that cuts loose the top layer
covers used to protect of the soil before planting
the long nails of the
upper classes during PUFU A long Chinese coat worn over
the later years of the other clothing
Chinese empire

ORACLE BONES QIN Also known as Yang Qin, a stringed
Animal bones or Chinese musical instrument resembling
shells, inscribed the Western zither
with writing, used
Bronze to foretell the REBELLION An organized
halberd future in ancient opposition to authority
&KLQD 2QH IDPRXV
MILLET A bland cereal set contains the SAMPAN A small Chinese boat,
grass that can be boiled for oldest known usually propelled by two oars
FHUHDO RU JURXQG IRU IORXU example of Chinese
ZULWWHQ ODQJXDJH Oracle bones SCROLL A roll of paper which is
MONGOL A member of the nomadic unfurled at one end and rolled up at the
SHRSOHV RI 0RQJROLD LQ $VLD ,Q WKH other to reveal its text
12th and 13th centuries, the Mongols
conquered most of Asia and Eastern PADDY A field where rice is grown
(XURSH DQG UDQ D YDVW WUDGLQJ HPSLUH
PAGODA An Eastern temple, particularly SHENG A Chinese musical instrument
027+(5͆2)͆3($5/ The hard, in the form of a multistory, tapering tower, similar to a harmonica, with 17 pipes
smooth, iridescent inner-shell lining of each story having its own roof extending upward from a metal bowl
R\VWHUV PXVVHOV DQG RWKHU PROOXNV
Mother-of-pearl is milky white to PEASANT A country person or SILK ROAD The historical trade route
VLOYHU\ JUD\ small farmer linking the Eastern Mediterranean basin to
&HQWUDO DQG (DVW $VLD ,W JRW LWV QDPH EHFDXVH
MOXIBUSTION Part PHILOSOPHY The study of, or search of the silk, tea, and jade carried along the route
of the traditional for, knowledge, wisdom, and an IURP &KLQD
practice of understanding of the
acupuncture, involving nature of SILKWORM A white caterpillar of the
burning the dried the universe Chinese silkworm
and crumbled moth, which is the
leaves of an herb source of most
plant known as FRPPHUFLDO VLON
moxa near Silkworms
acupuncture points spin dense
of the body cocoons,
each of
which
contains a
single strand of
LQWHUZRYHQ VLON

TAOTIE Taotie
A representation
of a terrifying
animal face with
staring eyes, horns,
and fangs, used
on ritual objects
in the Shang dynasty

TERRACOTTA A reddish brown clay that is
fired but not glazed

WOODBLOCK An ancient method of
printing in which characters are carved in
UHYHUVH RQ D ZRRGHQ EORFN ,QNLQJ WKH VXUIDFH
of the block and pressing it against a sheet of
SDSHU PDNHV D SULQW

Pagoda-style roof of the Daigo-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan YIN AND YANG Two opposing forces
in Chinese cosmology that together make
XS HYHU\WKLQJ LQ WKH 8QLYHUVH <LQ LV WKH
feminine element, associated with night, and
yang is the masculine element, associated
ZLWK WKH GD\

Index cloisonné enamel, 57 Grand Canal, 7, 38-39, 60 Li Zexu, 63 pottery, 56 T
clothes, 20, 46-47, 48 Great Wall, 6, 16, 18, 60 loess, 35, 38 tomb figures, 13, 16, 52
A coins, 58 gunpowder, 23 lotuses, 27, 54, 57 prefects, 20 Tai Zu, Emperor, 50
combs, 49 Guo Xi, 33 Lotus Sutra, 25 printing, 24-25 Tang dynasty, 7
abacus, 40 compasses, 22, 61 Luoyang, 22, 39 Puyi, Last Emperor, 9, 62, bookshops, 24
acupuncture, 28-29 Confucianism, 14, 18, H lutes, 53 63 medicine, 28
ancestor worship, 10-11, 26-7 lychees, 55 pottery, 56, 59
12-13, 50 Confucius, 20 hairpins, 49 QR religion, 26, 43
armor, 15 love of music, 12, 52 hairstyles, 49 M tea-making, 44
artisans, 56 teachings of, 12-13, 27, halberds, 10, 15 Qianlong, Emperor, 32, tomb figures, 52
arts, 32-3, 56-57 42 Han dynasty, 7 Manchus, 18, 46, 62 62-63 tea, 44, 58, 63
astronomical clocks, 22 cormorants, 39 civil service, 21 Meng Jiao, 18 Qin, 14, 15, 16 Ten Bamboo Studio, 25
axes, 10, 11, 15 cosmetics, 49 farming, 36 Manzhouguo, 63 Qin dynasty, 6, 18, 34 terraces, farming, 34, 35
crafts, 56-57 warfare, 14, 49 markets, 40 Qing (Manchu) dynasty, terra-cotta warriors, 6, 16
B crossbows, 15 Hangzhou, 39 medicine, 28-29 9 tiles, roof, 40-41
harnesses, 14, 37 merchants, 46, 50, 58 civil service, 20, 21 tombs, 13, 16, 43, 52
badges of rank, 19, 20, 21 D herbal medicine, 28-29 Ming dynasty, 9, 40, 59, crafts, 57 towns, 40-41, 54
bamboo books, 24 Hong Kong, 63 60 jewelry, 48, 49 trade, 40, 58-59, 62-63
Beijing, 54, 60 Diamond Sutra, 25 horses, 14, 37 civil service, 21 fall of, 62-63 travel, 60-61
foreign occupation, 62, divination sticks, 42 houses, 42-43 furniture, 43 kite festivals, 50
63 dragons, 16-17, 51 Hui Zong, Emperor, porcelain, 56, 58 shoes, 46 UVWY
imperial court, 59, 62 drums, 40, 53 30-31, 32, 54 mirrors, 6, 49 Qingming festival, 13, 50
bells, 12 money, 22, 23, 58 Qiu Jun, 18 Wang Anshi, 18
belt hooks, 48 E IJ Mongols, 23, 58-59, 60 religion, 10, 26-27 Wang Yuanzhi, 13
belt plaques, 49 mouth organs, 52 rhinoceros horn, 57 warfare, 14-15
Bi Sheng, 24 earthquakes, 22, 41 ink, 30-31, 32, 55 moxibustion, 28 rice, 38 Warring States period, 6,
boats, 23, 38-9, 60-61 examinations, 18-19, 20, inventions, 22-23 music, 12, 52-53 cooking, 44, 45 14-15, 16, 26
Bodhisattvas, 27 32 iron casting, 22, 56 paddy fields, 34, 36 watchtowers, 40
books, 16, 24-25 irrigation, 34 NO rivers, 38-39 water buffalo, 37
Boxer Rebellion, 63 F ivory, 20, 26, 46 roof tiles, 40-41 water droppers, 31
bronze, 11, 56 jade, 10, 16, 32, 46, 49, nail guards, 48 weapons, 10, 14-15
brush rests, 31, 33 families, 42-43 51,€57 narcissi, 55 S wheelbarrows, 22-23
brushes, 30, 32, 33 fans, 46 jewelry, 20, 48-49 navigation, 22, 61 winnowing, 35, 36
buckles, 48 farming, 34-37 junks, 23, 38, 60-61 Neolithic period, 10 sampans, 39 woodblock printing, 24,
Buddha, 27, 56 feet, bound, 36, 46 New Year festival, 50, 51 scholars, 16, 18, 25, 30, 31, 25
Buddhism, 25, 26-27, 54 festivals, 50-51 K operas, 52 32, 46, 55, 56, 57, 62 writing, 12, 30-31
butterflies, 54, 55 fireworks, 22, 43 opium, 62, 63 scrolls, 25 Wu, King, 12
fishing, 39 Kaifeng, 22, 54 oracle bones, 11 seals, 17, 21, 24, 31, 51 Wu Di, Emperor, 14, 18,
C flowers, 54-55 Kanbula, 59 orchestras, 52-53 Shang dynasty, 6, 10-11, 36
food, 44-45 Kangxi, Emperor, 62 56 Xian Feng, Emperor, 19
calligraphy, 30-31, 32 football, 50 kites, 22, 50, 51 P Shanghai, 50, 52 Xiongnu nomads, 16, 48,
canals, 38-9 Forbidden City, 20, 63 Kuanyin, 26, 27 Shi Huangdi, First 49
Cang Jie, 30 fortunetelling, 51 Kublai Khan, 8, 58, 59 paddy fields, 34, 36 Emperor, 6, 16-17 Xu Daoning, 33
Canton, 62 furniture, 43 pagodas, 26 shoes, 46 Yang Di, Emperor, 39
ceramics, 56, 58 L paintings, 30, 32-33, 54 silk, 22, 46-47, 57, 58 Yangzi River, 38-39
Chang Ping, battle of, 14 G paper, 23, 24-25, 32 Silk Road, 8, 22, 57, 58-59 Yellow River, 38-39
chariots, 14, 15 lacquerware, 55, 56, 58 peasant farmers, 10, 11, sleeve weights, 48 yin and yang, 26, 28, 38
Cheng Dayue, 31 games, 50-51 lamps, 43 34-37, 40, 46 Song dynasty Yong Lo, Emperor, 20, 60
chess, 50 Gaozu, Emperor, 18 landscape paintings, peonies, 54 calligraphy, 30 Yuan (Mongol) dynasty,
chopsticks, 44 gardens, 54-55 32-33, 54 plaques, 19, 49 farming, 36 8, 44, 48
chrysanthemums, 55 Genghis Khan, 58 lanterns, 50 playing cards, 51 painting, 32 porcelain, 58
cities, 38, 40-41, 54 gods, 26-27, 43 Lao Zi, 26 plowshares, 36 printing, 24 trade, 58, 59
civil service, 18-21, 32, 62 gold, 48, 56 Li Shizhen, 29 poetry, 30, 32, 55 warfare, 23 Zhang Heng, 22
clockwork, 22 Polo, Marco, 8, 59 Song Li, 39 Zheng, 16
porcelain, 22, 56, 58 spices, 44, 58 Zheng He, Admiral, 60
Sui dynasty, 7, 39 Zhou dynasty, 6, 12, 14
Su Shi, 32
Su Song, 22
Sun Zi, 14

Acknowledgments

The publisher would like to thank: (2bl,cr, 40cl), Laurence Pordes (11cr, 19br, 36cr;/National Palace Museum, Taiwan Museum 46br, 54cl;/Ian Thomas BC tl,
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