Culture and Traditional Chinese Culture

Traditional Chinese Culture

In modern society, traditional culture is undoubtedly part of the heritage of history. Traditional Chinese culture, then, can be traced far back to the time before century. Though a complexity and pluralism, traditional Chinese culture seems to have already formed its core theory by developing and embracing gradually many cultural branches. Confucius' ideology, Sayings from the Books of Changes (易经, Yijing), Buddhism and Taoism have been so influential and powerful that they have unconsciously become the theoretical focus of the traditional Chinese culture.

In addition, traditional Chinese cultures also include historical and cultural relics, such as pottery and porcelain, bronze, jade, silver, gold, and lacquer, bronze mirrors, and antique coins and currency; and art forms such as calligraphy and painting. Also included are ancient architecture, mausoleums, and ancient costumes and fittings. Apart from these, traditional culture embraces social systems as well as ancient books and publications on literature, history, medicines and life-nourishing approaches, agronomy, and astronomical chronicles. The Chinese nation, with its industriousness and wisdom, has created a long and everlasting history and a rich and colorful civilization.

The traditional Chinese culture is usually classified into four types:

(1) Material Culture

1) Archeology: unearthed artifacts (pots ＆ pottery, stone artifact, bronze ware, etc.), bribe sites, emperor's or king's resting places or tombs.

2) Architecture, gardens and parks: tower, pavilion, veranda, stone tablet, bridge and city walls.

3) Food culture: ways of cooking, tea, wine, dinner-sets, chopsticks, and manners during meals, etc.

4) Handicraft art: embroidery, weaving ＆ knitting, clay sculpture, carving, pottery ＆ porcelain, etc.

5) Dressing.

(2) Spiritual Culture

1) Arts: literature, music, dance, drama, folk arts, fine arts, seal cutting, calligraphy, etc.

2) Concepts: aesthetic conceptions, social values, and taboos.

3) Moral principles: respect the elderly and take care of the young, be filial to parents, help and support the poor, lay stress on etiquettes.

4) Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, and Confucianism.

(3) Social Culture

1) Folk culture: Festival Celebrations, Lantern Display in Parks, Customs about Marriage and Funeral, Sacrifices-offering to Gods and ancestors.

2) Entertainment culture: Dragon-Boat Race, Stilts-Walking, Swing Playing, Chinese Chess, Go, Mahjong, Drinker's Wager Game.

3) Sports culture: Wushu, Horseracing, Arrow Shooting, Mountain Climbing, Qi Gong, Acupuncture, Massage, etc.

(4) Language Culture

Chinese character and the culture.

Chinese Historical Tales	Chinese Myths	Chinese Fables
Chinese Folklores	Chinese Masterpieces