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Influence of confucianism on china culture
Confucianism in chinese society essay
The influence of confucianism upon the Chinese people
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Synopsis
Chinese culture has been evolving for more than one thousand years with one of the most significant influences being the development of the Han dynasty. This paper analyses the ways in which the development of the Han dynasty influenced Chinese culture, to what extent, and why. Knowledge of the Han period’s impact on Chinese culture, is obtained through the analysis of written and archaeological sources depicting the Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.–9 A.D) and Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 A.D).
Analysis of the primary and secondary sources, demonstrates that although culture is constantly evolving, multiple aspects of modern Chinese culture originated from the development of the Han dynasty. Investigation of China’s foreign interactions
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However the Han dynasty was a catalyst for extensive cultural developments despite some consolidation of pre-existing morals, due to the restoration of freedom of expression. Philosophy gradually evolved and considerably influenced the mentality of the Chinese. Art and literature flourished, significantly affecting artistic styles that would continue to be produced throughout Imperial China. Industrial technology improved and largely impacted on domestic and agricultural life. The formation of the Silk Road led to enduring cultural integration and understanding. From the Han dynasty emerged a culture that continues to impact on the lifestyles of the Chinese …show more content…
The philosophy taught ‘The three submissions and four virtues’, where women were to submit to males in all stages of their lives as a daughter, wife and widow. Emperor Hsuan (73-48 B.C.E) stated that “a wife does not commit a crime if she attempts to conceal the crime of her husband….a husband is not allowed to conceal a crime committed by his wife…” portraying clear prejudice against women that is still a current underlying issue in China. The greatest duty of women was motherhood for which they were respected, however in all other aspects of their lives, they were essentially tools of society. Men were expected to be the head of their households and take on physical occupations, or intellectual pursuits in the case of higher class men. These established gender roles promoted gender stereotypes that continue to restrict Chinese perceptions on both sexes. Children were subject to the absolute control of their father who could order them to execute any tasks, determine their profession and education and physically punish them. Although Confucianism remained the official state philosophy until the end of Imperial China, the sexist views and family hierarchy remain rooted in the mindset of many Chinese
There are little to no direct accounts of how individuals’ lives were a couple thousand years ago in Ancient China. With a wealth of information on the rise, decline, and fall of empires, Michael Loewe, a sinologist who specializes in oriental studies and theology, writes an imaginary story about a hero named Bing set around 70 BCE. Bing: From Farmer’s Son to Magistrate in Han China is Loewe’s fictional portrait of life during the Han Empire. It is by no means a comprehensive historical account of Han times, in fact, it was written with those readers who are not familiar with Chinese in mind, however through the life of Bing we can gage how the lives of laborers, those involved in military service, merchants, and government officials might
Lessons for Women was written by Ban Zhao, the leading female Confucian scholar of classical China, in 100 C.E. It was written to apply Confucian principles to the moral instruction of women, and was particularly addressed to Ban Zhao’s own daughters. As her best remembered work, it allows the reader insight into the common role of a woman during this fascinating time-period. The work starts off by Ban Zhao unconvincingly berating herself, and claiming how she once lived with the constant fear of disgracing her family. This argument is rather implausible, for the reader already knows the credibility of Ban Zhao, and how important her role was in ancient China.
Confucius believed that proper behavior within all types of relationships was dictated by a hierarchy that should be honored and preserved in order to maintain harmony within oneself and the rest of society (Bulliet 86). Zhao respected and supported these ideas in her own writings as she regularly makes reference to the notion that relationships between married men and women should be guided by the principles of yin and yang. According to Zhao, “as Yin and Yang are not of the same nature, so man and woman have different characteristics”, hence while the yang is firm and strong, the yin must be flexible and gentle (Zhao). Her advice to her daughters and the rest of her female audience was meant to help them avoid the shame that came with breaking the rules of society and promote a happy, harmonious lifestyle. To Zhao and most others, the inequality that existed between men and women was an inherent and necessary quality of traditional Chinese life. The historical context in which Zhao lived gives sufficient information to understand her position and motivations in Lessons for a Woman, nonetheless, her views on education add a unique dimension to her
In Document 1,2, 3, and 4 the Han dynasty is shown making things and inventing things for their citizens to use. During this time period the Han dynasty was described as the Golden Age in China. Confucianism gave a new way to life. The Historical context is that during this time period when the Yellow river flooded the crops and trade would be put to a stop.
When comparing different societies in ancient history you may not think that Han China and Ancient Rome had a lot in common. These two great societies had many similarities and differences, especially in their social structures. These similarities and differences are all due to Han China’s and Ancient Rome’s governments, family structures and religions. Both of these wonderful empires lasted for approximately 400 years and had lasting effects on the lands they conquered.
...c. 4). This is an example of one of the seven unequal relationships in Confucianism. Much of the social structure of classical China was based on Confucian ideals (Doc. 3). In Greece the relationship between a husband and wife also very unequal due to her young age and lack of education. Alone a woman had no political rights and limited legal powers therefore is was necessary for a husband to provide for his wife much like a father would (Doc. 6) A woman would learn house hold management and eventually produce heirs. These two similar systems of social roles was not a benevolent system. It did not take into account the welfare of individuals, particularly woman who had little power to leave in a bad marital situation. However by insuring that people know their place, which kept them in line, classical societies were more prosperous and able to run more smoothly.
Rome and Han dynasty presented the culture diversities in distinct parts of the world. They differ significantly on the formation and the ruling ideologies and so on. The varieties of culture are the most intriguing and attractive part of history.
The Han dynasty and the Roman Empire were both powerful empires during their era. However, the ways they obtained their power varied greatly because they used different methods that involved their political structures, which revolved around their centralized governments. The Han dynasty and the Roman Empire acquired very unique techniques that allowed them to control social and political. For example, the Han dynasty adopted a religion known as Confucianism, which monitored everything in the lives of the Chinese. Contrary, the Roman Empire established a monarchy but allowed its residents more freedom as compared to the Han. Nevertheless, the two empires were similar in political structures in that the power was depended on the wealthy that were in authority, the peasants struggled with their lives because of concerning issues such as food supply. The empires were able to create and preserve a peaceful and sustainable lives for a long time, unlike the past empires. Social distribution were under the control of the wealthiest and they could effortlessly impact community viewpoints and interactions among the residents. These two empires existed during the Classical Period had comparable and various social, political, religions, as well as economical values and practices. However, they both possessed differences and similarities in their economic and social perspectives even though the two empires were established around the same era.
When one thinks about female traits or characteristics within the Asian culture you are likely to think of obedience and even docility. This can especially be true of Chinese women. Why is this? Where did this behavior and belief system originate? Many scholars and cultural behaviorists would argue that Ban Zhao and Confucius played a pivotal role in this behavioral construct. Confucian teachings are the foundation upon which much of Asian society and culture have been erected. Confucius’ teachings focused on the importance of family dynamics and the need for children to obey and serve their parental figures. Confucius also stressed the need to exercise restraint and to treat others as you would have them treat you. Ban Zhao was the
The Han Dynasty governed China for more than four hundred years. It rose to power in 206 BC and stayed until 220 AC. The Han Dynasty played a vital role in China’s development. This dynasty pioneered a political system and social structure that lasted in China for almost 2,000 years. The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were considered two of the most strongest civilizations at that time. The Roman Empire lasted from 27 BC to 393 AD. This empire changed the way Romans lived. The Romans made rapid advancements in science and technology. Both of these civilizations successfully took control of their countries. While they both have an abundant amount of similarities, they is an overwhelming amount of differences that set these two empires apart. The decline of these two civilizations were both caused by internal affairs. The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire both ruled close to the same time span, they both had highly centralized political systems, and they both were the most advanced civilizations in their region of the world. Their similarities did not overshadow their differences however. The Roman Empire had a senate that served as their legislative body and in China, the emperors ruled over the city. The Han Dynasty implemented national equality, and used Confucianism thoughts to keep the country united, while the Romans divided their citizens into different social classes and kept ethic discrimination. While both civilizations had strong social class separators, the Roman Empire made their’s more apparent. Both civilizations were strong and advanced for their time, however, they both ruled their countries differently.
During the period which lead up to the Han Dynasty's demise (as you can see on the
The main major theme of module three is the development in China and East Asia. The chapters cover the social, philosophical, cultural, governmental and religious aspects. The chapters offer an insight of how China and Eastern Asian cultures had developed. It also elaborates on the dynasties that had ruled during this era.
What effect did the culture revolution had on china? The culture revolution happens in in mid 1900s and lasted a full decade and had a lot of impact on the Chinese people. The main goal was to preserve communism ideology by purging against the reminisce of capitalism in the tradition Chinese society. The book Red Azalea comes from at that particular time period. Red azalea was in the center of the culture revolution. The culture revolution affected the Chinese citizens in many ways. The citizens did not enjoy the cultural revolution and lived in constant fear of communist party and they lacked freedom to express themeselves.
The purpose of this paper is to tell the history of the Ming Dynasty’s impact on the Chinese Empire, and to explain why the Chinese Empire was in fact an empire.
What is Chinese traditional culture like today from what it used to be? Where the Chinese we know today is very different from what they used to be. In today’s time, Chinese culture has changed over the years quite a bit from “Spring Moon” to now. A lot of their beliefs and morals come from Confucianism as it does in “Spring Moon”. The main points of this paper are Confucianism, characteristics, tradition, culture and modern life of the Chinese.