Chinese civilization, 5,800 years of history
Contents
- 1 The origin of paper in the Chinese civilization
- 2 The printing press and its beginnings in Chinese civilization
- 3 The compass and porcelain, also Chinese inventions
- 4 The first dynasties
- 4.1 The Yellow River and its importance for the Chinese civilization
- 4.2 The rise of the Xia Dynasty after controlling the Yellow River
- 4.3 The end of the Xia Dynasty
- 4.4 The Shang Dynasty and the reign of Shang Tang
- 4.5 Wai Bing and Zhong Ren sons of Tang first successors of the Shang Dynasty
- 4.6 The problems of the Shang Dynasty that made him lose the reign
- 4.7 The battle of Muye and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty
- 4.8 The Zhou dynasty. First wise kings
- 4.9 King Zhao of Zhou, and his inept government
- 4.10 Mu and his reign until 105 years
- 4.11 King Yi (Xie) of Zhou, ninth king of the dynasty and the beginning of the end
- 4.12 The end of the western Zhou and the beginning of the eastern Zhou
- 4.13 The Spring and Autumn Period
- 5 This was the Chinese culture in its beginnings
- 5.1 The Chinese Wall, the greatest example of the country's architecture
- 5.2 The Terracotta Warriors
- 5.3 Chinese painting and literature
- 6 Attila, king of the Huns
- 7 myths and legendary creatures
The Chinese civilization is so old that its trail is lost in the fog of time . According to the oral tradition transmitted from one generation to another for millennia, its culture and civilization arose - between 5000 and 6000 years ago - in the Yellow River basin or Huang He from its three founding emperors: Fuxi, Shennong and Huang, which was known as the Yellow Emperor.
However, the known written documents place the origins of Chinese civilization about 3,500 years ago from the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties.
To the Chinese civilization, humanity has to thank the great contributions with which they contributed to human progress .
However, the known written documents place the origins of Chinese civilization about 3,500 years ago from the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties.
To the Chinese civilization, humanity has to thank the great contributions with which they contributed to human progress .
Index
The origin of paper in the Chinese civilization
The printing press and its beginnings in Chinese civilization
The compass and porcelain, also Chinese inventions
The first dynasties
This was the Chinese culture in its beginnings
Attila, king of the Huns
Myths and Legendary Creatures
The origin of paper in the Chinese civilization
The first paper prototypes , as we know them today, come from the obtaining that the Chinese achieved after using silk rags and later the mulberry bark, then bamboo and hemp and, later, rice paper.The procedure to obtain the paper consisted of soaking the raw materials with water until softening . Then they were boiled and then crushed to a paste. Bamboo mesh was introduced into this mass which, when dried, was covered by a thin fibrous film. The end of the process concluded with the extraction of water from the mesh and its drying on hot stones .
The printing press and its beginnings in Chinese civilization
The printing press is another of the inventions that we must thank China Although it was Johannes Gutenberg who revolutionized and popularized the modern printing press in the fifteenth century , and in the second century documents began to be recorded with texts and images on wooden boards , following a pressure system that marked the Chinese ink deposited on the wood, then managed to be transferred to the paper.
The compass and porcelain, also Chinese inventions
The first compasses were also devised by the Chinese as a tool to predict the future inspired by the art of Feng shui, which ventured what were the best places to live or build a house.
Porcelain Nothing more valuable to decorate a room than a Chinese vase. The objects made with porcelain represent a very profitable form of commerce , which also has its origin in the Asian country for thousands of years.
We could date the first creations of Porcelain objects at the time of the Shui dynasty (581-617), however their expansion would come in the following years in the TAng era. Marco Polo discovered it on one of his trips, but it would not reach the West until the mid-fourteenth century.
For years it was a question of getting the "recipe" of the manufacture of Porcelain that the Chinese never wanted to give away. That is why we tried for centuries to find a similar material. However, until 1708, what we know today as the true Porcelain was the result of the hard work of the German chemist Friedrich Böttger.
Porcelain Nothing more valuable to decorate a room than a Chinese vase. The objects made with porcelain represent a very profitable form of commerce , which also has its origin in the Asian country for thousands of years.
We could date the first creations of Porcelain objects at the time of the Shui dynasty (581-617), however their expansion would come in the following years in the TAng era. Marco Polo discovered it on one of his trips, but it would not reach the West until the mid-fourteenth century.
For years it was a question of getting the "recipe" of the manufacture of Porcelain that the Chinese never wanted to give away. That is why we tried for centuries to find a similar material. However, until 1708, what we know today as the true Porcelain was the result of the hard work of the German chemist Friedrich Böttger.
The first dynasties
Civilization and Chinese history can be divided into two distinct stages: the ancient and the imperial . In the ancient stage the first dynasties of Xia, Shang and Zhou emerged:
The Xia Dynasty arose from 2100 BC to 1600 BC , was born next to the waters that bathe the Yellow River, and there are two great merits that are recognized. On the one hand it put an end to the frequent wars that took place between the Xia tribe and the Chi You tribe, and on the other it helped to combat the great problems of the region with the overflows of river water.
The Xia Dynasty arose from 2100 BC to 1600 BC , was born next to the waters that bathe the Yellow River, and there are two great merits that are recognized. On the one hand it put an end to the frequent wars that took place between the Xia tribe and the Chi You tribe, and on the other it helped to combat the great problems of the region with the overflows of river water.
The Yellow River and its importance for the Chinese civilization
This huge water extension of 5,464 kilometers in length that is born in the Bayan Har Mountains was one of the great headaches of the region that was used to suffer numerous catastrophes due to its continuous overflow.
Its name has its origin in the large amount of mud that accumulates in the background, which ends up giving it a light brown tone that may appear yellow depending on the time. Its great extension and the fertility of the adjoining lands, led it to be one of the great references of the country, being essential when collecting water to feed the cattle and water the crops.
For all this, to tame the river was one of the great achievements of the Xia Dynasty. This, however, was not easy at all. At first it was ordered to build large dikes to block the water path. This process went on for nine years but failed resoundingly because the floods were getting stronger.
Gun's son, Yu, in charge of carrying out the first attempt to stop the continuous floods, tried to successfully finish the work that his father never accomplished. His strategy, quite different from his father's. Instead of creating large dikes, what he thought was to create large canals to take the river to the sea and avoid overflowing with excess water.
The process lasted a total of 13 years and the people were so satisfied with their perseverance that even totally alien tribes also joined the cause to finally stop the floods.
Its name has its origin in the large amount of mud that accumulates in the background, which ends up giving it a light brown tone that may appear yellow depending on the time. Its great extension and the fertility of the adjoining lands, led it to be one of the great references of the country, being essential when collecting water to feed the cattle and water the crops.
For all this, to tame the river was one of the great achievements of the Xia Dynasty. This, however, was not easy at all. At first it was ordered to build large dikes to block the water path. This process went on for nine years but failed resoundingly because the floods were getting stronger.
Gun's son, Yu, in charge of carrying out the first attempt to stop the continuous floods, tried to successfully finish the work that his father never accomplished. His strategy, quite different from his father's. Instead of creating large dikes, what he thought was to create large canals to take the river to the sea and avoid overflowing with excess water.
The process lasted a total of 13 years and the people were so satisfied with their perseverance that even totally alien tribes also joined the cause to finally stop the floods.
The rise of the Xia Dynasty after controlling the Yellow River
Given that the floods were devastating, having controlled them caused an increase in agricultural production. The power of the Xia Dynasty was growing but there was another unsolved problem. The Sanmiao tribe, who abused the border tribes continuously.
At that time, Yu formed an army and led them to fight with them, something they did and eventually defeated them. Their success, only increased the power of these in the territory. Shun, due to his old age, left the throne in Yu's hands, beginning the so-called Xia dynasty.
However, when he was close to his death, Yu omitted the most prepared candidate and gave up the job to his son, Qí, creating a precedent in which the mandate was passed from parents to children.
At that time, Yu formed an army and led them to fight with them, something they did and eventually defeated them. Their success, only increased the power of these in the territory. Shun, due to his old age, left the throne in Yu's hands, beginning the so-called Xia dynasty.
However, when he was close to his death, Yu omitted the most prepared candidate and gave up the job to his son, Qí, creating a precedent in which the mandate was passed from parents to children.
The end of the Xia Dynasty
The historical memories of Sima Qian speaks of the 17 kings who ruled under the throne of this dynasty. The last one was Jie, who was considered by many to be a corrupt king.
Jié was in love with Mo Xi (also known as Mei Xi), she was a very beautiful woman but lacked all virtue. He loved drinking and music and was bad at heart. On one occasion he ordered a lake of wine to be built and, once completed, ordered it to be drunk to 3,000 men. When all these, being drunk, fell into the water and drowned, nothing he did to get them out, but, on the contrary, it seemed very funny and he was telling him very entertaining and laughing at them.
At that time, all citizens had to pay taxes annually to the King. Shang Tang, one of Jié's vassals, was scandalized by the actions of his ruler, hence not only did he not respect him, he went through the villages warning that Xiá Jié mistreated his people, something that earned him Win supporters.
Once he had reached enough support he decided that it was time to take action and when the king demanded to pay the taxes he refused. That year, despite the initial anger of the King, nothing happened. However, when he refused again the following year, he ordered other vassals to take up arms and go after him. They refused, which encouraged Shang Tang to take action against him.
A few years later, in the battle of Míngtiáo, Xia Jié's army was defeated, ending the Xiá Dynasty and starting the Shang Dynasty.
Jié was in love with Mo Xi (also known as Mei Xi), she was a very beautiful woman but lacked all virtue. He loved drinking and music and was bad at heart. On one occasion he ordered a lake of wine to be built and, once completed, ordered it to be drunk to 3,000 men. When all these, being drunk, fell into the water and drowned, nothing he did to get them out, but, on the contrary, it seemed very funny and he was telling him very entertaining and laughing at them.
At that time, all citizens had to pay taxes annually to the King. Shang Tang, one of Jié's vassals, was scandalized by the actions of his ruler, hence not only did he not respect him, he went through the villages warning that Xiá Jié mistreated his people, something that earned him Win supporters.
Once he had reached enough support he decided that it was time to take action and when the king demanded to pay the taxes he refused. That year, despite the initial anger of the King, nothing happened. However, when he refused again the following year, he ordered other vassals to take up arms and go after him. They refused, which encouraged Shang Tang to take action against him.
A few years later, in the battle of Míngtiáo, Xia Jié's army was defeated, ending the Xiá Dynasty and starting the Shang Dynasty.
The Shang Dynasty and the reign of Shang Tang
The Shang Dynasty (1660 to C - 1100 to C), also known as the Yin Dynasty, is the first whose existence is documented. One of the features that characterized it was the habit of its inhabitants to use turtle shells or ox bones to venture the future.
During his time his reign was highly valued by all. His strategy was to lower taxes and build Xia Jié's palace in memory of his predecessor.
The problems, on the other hand, came with the long droughts that accompanied the first years of the reign that led the poorest families to even have to sell their own children in order to survive.
This problem was solved by sending to print gold coins that was distributed among the poorest families that could recover their children with that money and also have something to live with.
During his time his reign was highly valued by all. His strategy was to lower taxes and build Xia Jié's palace in memory of his predecessor.
The problems, on the other hand, came with the long droughts that accompanied the first years of the reign that led the poorest families to even have to sell their own children in order to survive.
This problem was solved by sending to print gold coins that was distributed among the poorest families that could recover their children with that money and also have something to live with.
Wai Bing and Zhong Ren sons of Tang first successors of the Shang Dynasty
After the death of Shang Tang and considering that the eldest son Tai Ding had died prematurely, Shang's second son was responsible for succeeding him. However, his term barely lasted two years as he died and had to give up the throne to his younger brother, Zhong Ren.
While the inscriptions in the oracular bones have questioned that he was one of the Shang kings, historically it had always been taken for granted. He ruled for four years until he also died and was taken by Shang's grandson and Zhong Ren's nephew, Tai Jia.
According to the historical memories, in total there were 30 kings that had the Shang Dynasty. The one who spent the most years in power was Tai Wu who was there for 75 years. The last to rule was Di Xin, known posthumously as King Zhou or Zhou Xin.
While the inscriptions in the oracular bones have questioned that he was one of the Shang kings, historically it had always been taken for granted. He ruled for four years until he also died and was taken by Shang's grandson and Zhong Ren's nephew, Tai Jia.
According to the historical memories, in total there were 30 kings that had the Shang Dynasty. The one who spent the most years in power was Tai Wu who was there for 75 years. The last to rule was Di Xin, known posthumously as King Zhou or Zhou Xin.
The problems of the Shang Dynasty that made him lose the reign
Just as it happened to Xia Jié in the Xia Dynasty, the last president of the Shang Dynasty was a King who always lived between women and alcohol. He ignored the affairs of the state and completely abandoned the government.
He dedicated himself to organizing mass orgies and, as if of an almost identical parallelism, on that occasion there was also an evil woman who exercised a negative influence. In this case it was Daji, the consort of Di Xing. They say that her beauty was beyond doubt and, to please her, Xing came to do everything she asked.
On one occasion he built a zoo that he filled with exotic animals and birds. On another occasion, just like Jié did, he built an artificial lake of wine, as well as a forest of meat. The forest was plagued with trees that instead of leaves had roasted meat and the party guests (more than 3,000 men) could taste them to their liking or swim in the river of wine in boats.
One of the Xing concubines protested not liking what was happening and, without thinking twice, the king had her killed and her father was dismembered for the same cause. The meat was roasted and served as food for the king's vassals.
Di Xing's evil woman loved to hear other people scream while they were mistreated. One day, he ordered a farmer's feet cut off after seeing him walk on the ice and wanting to study how it was possible for them to resist such low temperatures so much.
On another occasion, she decided to open a pregnant woman about to give birth in a canal to see what exactly was inside, while later she took the heart of Minister Bi Gang, the uncle of the king to observe it carefully and know if the saying “the A good man's heart has seven openings, ”it was really true or not.
However, if Daji is known for anything, it is because of the form of torture she invented herself and that consisted of enormously heating huge hollow bronze cylinders. The tortured were forced to walk slowly on these cylinders and, as they burned so much, they had to jump from one to another until, ecstatic of fatigue, they gave up and died burned. She and her husband, King Di Xing, watched them from afar as they laughed out loud.
Costing all these exorbitant expenses had a high price paid by citizens with increasing taxes. It was considered as one of the clearest examples of corruption in history and hence after his death he was called as Zhou, a pejorative name that represents dishonorable and heartless actions.
He dedicated himself to organizing mass orgies and, as if of an almost identical parallelism, on that occasion there was also an evil woman who exercised a negative influence. In this case it was Daji, the consort of Di Xing. They say that her beauty was beyond doubt and, to please her, Xing came to do everything she asked.
On one occasion he built a zoo that he filled with exotic animals and birds. On another occasion, just like Jié did, he built an artificial lake of wine, as well as a forest of meat. The forest was plagued with trees that instead of leaves had roasted meat and the party guests (more than 3,000 men) could taste them to their liking or swim in the river of wine in boats.
One of the Xing concubines protested not liking what was happening and, without thinking twice, the king had her killed and her father was dismembered for the same cause. The meat was roasted and served as food for the king's vassals.
Di Xing's evil woman loved to hear other people scream while they were mistreated. One day, he ordered a farmer's feet cut off after seeing him walk on the ice and wanting to study how it was possible for them to resist such low temperatures so much.
On another occasion, she decided to open a pregnant woman about to give birth in a canal to see what exactly was inside, while later she took the heart of Minister Bi Gang, the uncle of the king to observe it carefully and know if the saying “the A good man's heart has seven openings, ”it was really true or not.
However, if Daji is known for anything, it is because of the form of torture she invented herself and that consisted of enormously heating huge hollow bronze cylinders. The tortured were forced to walk slowly on these cylinders and, as they burned so much, they had to jump from one to another until, ecstatic of fatigue, they gave up and died burned. She and her husband, King Di Xing, watched them from afar as they laughed out loud.
Costing all these exorbitant expenses had a high price paid by citizens with increasing taxes. It was considered as one of the clearest examples of corruption in history and hence after his death he was called as Zhou, a pejorative name that represents dishonorable and heartless actions.
The battle of Muye and the beginning of the Zhou dynasty
While Di Xin was very busy with his personal life with Da Ji, he ignored the rise of the Zhou, a clan ruled by King Wen, a vassal of the Shang that was used to protect his rearguard.
King Wen's growing weight was evident, so much so that he even became imprisoned. However, finding no conclusive evidence that he was against him, he released him.
Meanwhile, Wen was preparing his army to try to seize power from Di Xin, but, before he succeeded, he died, so the offensive against Shang had to make himself wait.
His successor, King Wu of Zhou, followed in his father's footsteps and, a few years later, having the support of citizenship, dared to attack the imperial army in the Battle of Muye.
The army had approximately 50,000 men far less than the 530,000 men that Di Xin had. However, Xin did not want to take risks, hence he chose to give weapons to more than 170,000 slaves whose mission was to protect the capital.
The problem came when the slaves, armed, betrayed Di Xin and changed sides, fighting in favor of the Zhou who had thus managed to triple their forces.
As if that were not enough, many of the King's soldiers refused to fight for the corrupt and left their spears upside down showing their decision not to fight.
However, the battle was even and bloody and in the final stretch, looking cornered, Di Xin decided to hide in his palace. There, he adorned himself with all the jewels he could and set fire to the room where he was until his death.
Daji was captured by the Zhou and was executed, while the population was fed after the imperial rice barn was opened to the public. This was the end of the Shang Dynasty and the beginning of the Zhou.
King Wen's growing weight was evident, so much so that he even became imprisoned. However, finding no conclusive evidence that he was against him, he released him.
Meanwhile, Wen was preparing his army to try to seize power from Di Xin, but, before he succeeded, he died, so the offensive against Shang had to make himself wait.
His successor, King Wu of Zhou, followed in his father's footsteps and, a few years later, having the support of citizenship, dared to attack the imperial army in the Battle of Muye.
The army had approximately 50,000 men far less than the 530,000 men that Di Xin had. However, Xin did not want to take risks, hence he chose to give weapons to more than 170,000 slaves whose mission was to protect the capital.
The problem came when the slaves, armed, betrayed Di Xin and changed sides, fighting in favor of the Zhou who had thus managed to triple their forces.
As if that were not enough, many of the King's soldiers refused to fight for the corrupt and left their spears upside down showing their decision not to fight.
However, the battle was even and bloody and in the final stretch, looking cornered, Di Xin decided to hide in his palace. There, he adorned himself with all the jewels he could and set fire to the room where he was until his death.
Daji was captured by the Zhou and was executed, while the population was fed after the imperial rice barn was opened to the public. This was the end of the Shang Dynasty and the beginning of the Zhou.
The Zhou dynasty First wise kings
The Zhou Dynasty (1050 to C - 256 to C). After defeating the Shang, the Zhou ruled China and organized the kingdom by dividing it into states or provinces.
Under this dynasty, ornamental art flourished, extraordinary thinkers emerged as Confucius, and classical Chinese literature began to be written.
For many this new dynasty was a blessing. It was the transfer of powers from a corrupt dynasty and that only thought of their own interests and another plagued by virtuous men who thought about the good of the people.
Under this dynasty, ornamental art flourished, extraordinary thinkers emerged as Confucius, and classical Chinese literature began to be written.
For many this new dynasty was a blessing. It was the transfer of powers from a corrupt dynasty and that only thought of their own interests and another plagued by virtuous men who thought about the good of the people.
King Zhao of Zhou, and his inept government
During the 39 kings of this dynasty there were wise and good kings (especially the first three) and others who returned to the path of corruption and personal interests. It was the case of King Zhao of Zhou, the fourth king of the dynasty who staggered his government after he thought more about satisfying his personal likings for rare plants and animals and not so much for government problems.
Knowing his fondness for animals, an enemy tribe decided to set him up. They announced that they had found a strange bird in the state of Chu and, once there, after crossing the Han River, he was involved in a battle that made him go back and get into a ship, which suffered a water leak and sank, which caused his death by drowning. His reign was preceded by Mu, his son.
Knowing his fondness for animals, an enemy tribe decided to set him up. They announced that they had found a strange bird in the state of Chu and, once there, after crossing the Han River, he was involved in a battle that made him go back and get into a ship, which suffered a water leak and sank, which caused his death by drowning. His reign was preceded by Mu, his son.
Mu and his reign until 105 years
Mu decided to return to the origins of the Chinese dynasties in which power was passed through merits and not through parents to children. He was very ambitious and traveled more than 90,000 kilometers to the west trying to end the invaders from the west and expand the influence of China as much as he could. Despite what he had always preached, after his death his successor was his son, Gong de Zhou.
King Yi (Xie) of Zhou, ninth king of the dynasty and the beginning of the end
After King Mu, King Gong followed, after him ruled Yi, Xiaowang followed him and behind him, Yi (Xie) of Zhou, the ninth king of the Dynasty who is credited with being one of the worst kings, accused of having executed a man throwing a cauldron of boiling water over it, and having to face numerous wars in the south. His power was not strong and the regional rulers did not obey the court.
His son, King Li, not only followed in his father's footsteps, but made them worse. He was a corrupt and decadent king, full of pleasures and vices, raised taxes to increase his wealth and passed a law that allowed the death penalty to anyone who spoke against him.
Citizens angry at the situation began a rebellion that forced him into exile. One of his King's ministers found his son they wanted to kill and kept him hidden until his father's death, which made him the new King.
However, while the son was not of legal age, the Dynasty was in the hands of the Dukes of Zhou and Shao, which became known as the Gonghe Regency. During this dynasty, a thorough study of Chinese history was carried out up to that point and, much of what is known is thanks to the work of that regency.
His son, King Li, not only followed in his father's footsteps, but made them worse. He was a corrupt and decadent king, full of pleasures and vices, raised taxes to increase his wealth and passed a law that allowed the death penalty to anyone who spoke against him.
Citizens angry at the situation began a rebellion that forced him into exile. One of his King's ministers found his son they wanted to kill and kept him hidden until his father's death, which made him the new King.
However, while the son was not of legal age, the Dynasty was in the hands of the Dukes of Zhou and Shao, which became known as the Gonghe Regency. During this dynasty, a thorough study of Chinese history was carried out up to that point and, much of what is known is thanks to the work of that regency.
The end of the western Zhou and the beginning of the eastern Zhou
When Xuan de Zhou, son of King Li was of age, he became the new king. His main concern was to regain royal authority and fight against the Western barbarians.
After his death, his son You de Zhou came into power. You from Zhou, who was married and had children, had another son named Bofu with a concubine named Bao Si. He fell so in love with her that he deposed the queen and the crown prince and put them in their place.
As usual in Chinese history, the King was obsessed with pleasing his new wife, Bao Si, who was not laughing easily. Trying to achieve it, he came up one day to light the alarm torches that indicated they were being attacked.
When the nobles arrived at the castle ready to fight and saw that nothing was happening, the queen managed to smile at that. Despite all that that meant, he kept abusing the use of torches continuously until one day he completely lost the trust of the nobles.
The father of the queen who had been supplanted by Bao Si, went crazy to learn the deposition of his daughter and mounted an attack on the king. You of Zhou, then lit the real torches to call the nobles, who, thinking it was another of his jokes, decided not to come.
The King was killed and Yiju was put in his place, the first of his sons mother of the queen who had been deposed. At that time it was decided to change the headquarters capital to the east, since the capital had been severely damaged and the proximity to multiple enemies prevented the government from continuing in that position.
After his death, his son You de Zhou came into power. You from Zhou, who was married and had children, had another son named Bofu with a concubine named Bao Si. He fell so in love with her that he deposed the queen and the crown prince and put them in their place.
As usual in Chinese history, the King was obsessed with pleasing his new wife, Bao Si, who was not laughing easily. Trying to achieve it, he came up one day to light the alarm torches that indicated they were being attacked.
When the nobles arrived at the castle ready to fight and saw that nothing was happening, the queen managed to smile at that. Despite all that that meant, he kept abusing the use of torches continuously until one day he completely lost the trust of the nobles.
The father of the queen who had been supplanted by Bao Si, went crazy to learn the deposition of his daughter and mounted an attack on the king. You of Zhou, then lit the real torches to call the nobles, who, thinking it was another of his jokes, decided not to come.
The King was killed and Yiju was put in his place, the first of his sons mother of the queen who had been deposed. At that time it was decided to change the headquarters capital to the east, since the capital had been severely damaged and the proximity to multiple enemies prevented the government from continuing in that position.
The Spring and Autumn Period
As of this moment, the Spring and Autumn period began, an era characterized by the loss of power of the Zhou, considered as a transition period, and the implementation of a feudal system that worked a relative tranquility where the great states they took advantage of the weakest to benefit from their intervention in those smaller states when internal struggles occurred.
After this period emerged the period known as Fighting Kingdoms and which led to the unification of China during the Qin Dynasty.
After this period emerged the period known as Fighting Kingdoms and which led to the unification of China during the Qin Dynasty.
This was the Chinese culture in its beginnings
The importance and influence that Chinese culture has exerted on that of the rest of the world is known, but also one of its characteristics is to have existed in a closed world that resisted opening itself to the world and letting the rest of the world get rich
The Chinese Wall, the greatest example of the country's architecture
In Chinese architecture we find wonders such as The Great Wall that was initially thought of as a fortification, but which was finally built as a border to protect against nomadic Xiongnu attacks from Mongolia and Manchuria.
Declared a World Heritage Site, the Great Wall of China took almost two thousand years to complete its successive stages and its length covers some 21 200 kilometers long, from the border with Korea to the Gobi desert.
The first of the great sections was built around 300 BC by Shihuandi for which he employed a mass of slave workers of some 300,000 men among peasants, former soldiers and captives who were subjected to harsh conditions. If they died on site, their bodies were thrown to the foundations.
Other Chinese contributions to human architecture with pagodas, multi-storey buildings with roofs superimposed one on top of the other.
Declared a World Heritage Site, the Great Wall of China took almost two thousand years to complete its successive stages and its length covers some 21 200 kilometers long, from the border with Korea to the Gobi desert.
The first of the great sections was built around 300 BC by Shihuandi for which he employed a mass of slave workers of some 300,000 men among peasants, former soldiers and captives who were subjected to harsh conditions. If they died on site, their bodies were thrown to the foundations.
Other Chinese contributions to human architecture with pagodas, multi-storey buildings with roofs superimposed one on top of the other.
Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta Warriors are another valuable Chinese cultural heritage. Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of the figures of more than 8,000 warriors and horses in real size, and that they be buried in the mausoleum where he was going to be buried, in order to guard the emperor's tomb beneath them.
Chinese painting and literature
Chinese painting emerged from his calligraphy. Based on the brush, inkwell, ink and paper, Chinese painting techniques are inspired by the way they show their calligraphy.
Chinese literature is represented by its characteristic calligraphy based on ideograms. This Chinese written system tries to convey ideas, images, anagrams and words used by the first populations of the country.
Chinese literature is represented by its characteristic calligraphy based on ideograms. This Chinese written system tries to convey ideas, images, anagrams and words used by the first populations of the country.
Attila, king of the Huns
Known in the West by the title of The scourge of God, Attila was the last and the most ruthless king of the Ones . Born around 400 AD, Attila belonged to a tribe of warriors from northwestern China and Central Asia.
These warriors dominated the art of war like nobody else , they rode on small, fast horses, they were very accurate with the bow and moved like no other, sweeping villages and conquering lands and countries.
When Attila reached the throne, he founded the largest European empire at that time, from 434 to 453, the year he died. He subdued Europe and his warriors settled throughout the continent from the Danube River to the Black Sea and the Baltic countries.
Main enemy of the Roman Empire, Attila besieged Constantinople and was about to take the city of Rome . When the king of the Huns appeared at the gates of the eternal city, Leo I, the Pope, went out to meet the Attila at the head of a delegation that was singing in Latin songs. The story is not right to give us a clear explanation of what happened, but the truth is that, after the interview, Attila decided to retire leaving the site of Rome without spilling more blood. At the death of Attila, the empire of the Huns became extinct because of power struggles .
These warriors dominated the art of war like nobody else , they rode on small, fast horses, they were very accurate with the bow and moved like no other, sweeping villages and conquering lands and countries.
When Attila reached the throne, he founded the largest European empire at that time, from 434 to 453, the year he died. He subdued Europe and his warriors settled throughout the continent from the Danube River to the Black Sea and the Baltic countries.
Main enemy of the Roman Empire, Attila besieged Constantinople and was about to take the city of Rome . When the king of the Huns appeared at the gates of the eternal city, Leo I, the Pope, went out to meet the Attila at the head of a delegation that was singing in Latin songs. The story is not right to give us a clear explanation of what happened, but the truth is that, after the interview, Attila decided to retire leaving the site of Rome without spilling more blood. At the death of Attila, the empire of the Huns became extinct because of power struggles .
Myths and Legendary Creatures
Told from parents to children, throughout the centuries the Chinese have been transmitting to their children and grandchildren the legends that are told about Chinese mythological beings .
The main of these mythological beings that have fascinated the inhabitants of the Asian country for millennia are: the blue dragon, the white tiger, the vermilion bird and the black turtle.
Qinglong is the name by which the blue dragon is known. Represents the East in the Chinese constellations. Its season is spring and represents the virtue of Ethics .
Zhu Que or Vermilion bird is the South and represents Wisdom and summer. This bird is a hybrid being that had a chicken head, snake neck, fish tail, swallow chin and is adorned with brightly colored plumage.
Baihu is the white tiger and points to the West, represents autumn and counts Justice as a virtue. He is the guardian of the wisdom of the Buddha and the teachings of mankind. As a virtue symbolizes strength and armies. The white tiger is the king of all animals and lord of the mountains . The tiger is also considered an amulet that favors wealth.
Xuanwu is the black turtle. It is the North, shows winter and has as its main value that of Faith . In Chinese culture, turtles have divine characteristics, have a lot of wisdom and a long life.
The main of these mythological beings that have fascinated the inhabitants of the Asian country for millennia are: the blue dragon, the white tiger, the vermilion bird and the black turtle.
Qinglong is the name by which the blue dragon is known. Represents the East in the Chinese constellations. Its season is spring and represents the virtue of Ethics .
Zhu Que or Vermilion bird is the South and represents Wisdom and summer. This bird is a hybrid being that had a chicken head, snake neck, fish tail, swallow chin and is adorned with brightly colored plumage.
Baihu is the white tiger and points to the West, represents autumn and counts Justice as a virtue. He is the guardian of the wisdom of the Buddha and the teachings of mankind. As a virtue symbolizes strength and armies. The white tiger is the king of all animals and lord of the mountains . The tiger is also considered an amulet that favors wealth.
Xuanwu is the black turtle. It is the North, shows winter and has as its main value that of Faith . In Chinese culture, turtles have divine characteristics, have a lot of wisdom and a long life.