By Ms. Nishat Ansar, Lecturer Arts & Media at Foundation University School of Science and Technology, Islamabad Winner of the Article Writing Competition (5th position) on the theme “China’s Cultural Footprint Through the Ages” held in March-April 2024:
Chinese culture is a dynamic tapestry of eras of historical events, traditions, and local influences. China, with its population of nearly 1.4 billion, proudly cherishes its own cultural legacy while also embracing rapid progress. China possesses a captivating allure due to its rich culture, traditions, and ancient civilization. The Chinese culture, which has a history spanning more than 5,000 years, is characterised by its ancient calcinations. The initial written records traced back to the fourth millennium BC. The origins of Chinese evolution can be dated back to the Hwang Ho or Yangtze River basins. In this context, the ancient communities of farmers evolved into the initial Chinese towns and national unions.
China, being the most extensive nation in Asia, spans across the entirety of the East Asian mainland and covers around one-fourteenth of the Earth’s surface, rendering it nearly equivalent in size to Europe. China’s official language is Mandarin, which translates to “ordinary language” or “common language.” Beijing, Chengdu, and Nanjing are three distinct Mandarin dialects that are recognised. The Beijing dialect, which has been officially recognised as the national language, is widely recognised as the predominant Chinese language.
China, boasting the largest population globally, encompasses a diverse array of ethnic and linguistic groups. China’s primary ethnic group is the Han, but the Zhuang constitute its largest minority group. A diverse array of ethnic groups, such as the Buyi, Miao, Dong, Tibetans, Mongolians, and various more, coexist together within the southwestern region of China. China emerged as a notable economic and cultural powerhouse throughout the formative stages of global civilization, boasting a rich history spanning nearly four millennia. The political-cultural unit of China has amazing longevity and tenacity.
The history of China can be categorized into three distinct periods:
1- The historical period before imperialism, encompassing the dynasties of Xia, Shang, and Zhou until 221 BC.
2- The era of colonial rule, spanning from the Qin dynasty in 221 BC to the Qing dynasty in 1911.
3- Contemporary China From 1911 till the present day.
In pre-imperial China, political authority was characterized by instability, with religious leaders predominantly holding it. The autonomy of small principalities and regional governors-generals was distinct from that of monarchs. The Shang dynasty held the highest level of power among the three, although it was not immune to the internal conflicts that led to the downfall of the Shang-Yin monarchy.
From 221 BC until 1911 AD, the Chinese imperial dynasties were in existence. The ascendancy of the 8 mighty reigns of Qin Han, Sui, Tan, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing propelled China to become one of the most formidable states globally and a prominent leader in Asia. Qin Shi Huang Di (221 BC) successfully amalgamated 07 Chinese empires and successfully subjugated several neighbouring regions, so consolidating China into a unified nation. Qin Shi Huang Di is renowned for his considerable contributions to China’s political landscape and his renowned Terracotta Army, which has diligently protected the access hall to his tomb for an estimated duration of 2,000 years.
The dynasty of Tang (618-907 AD), commonly referred to as the “Golden Age” of China, exerted a significant impact on historical events. Genghis Khan launched an invasion of China during the 13th century. Due to the Mongols’ dominion over most of the China and the establishment of the Yuan dynasty, this era in Chinese antiquity is widely regarded as amongst the most sorrowful. Following the overthrow of the Ming dynasty by the Manchus in 1644, China experienced another instance of invasion. The Qin Manchus constituted the final imperial dynasty of China.
The Xinhai Uprising of 1911 resulted in the overthrow of the Kingdom and the succeeding formation of the People’s Republic. In 1949, the Communist Party of China began victorious over Guomindang (Kuomintang) and subsequently initiated the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the headship of Mao Zedong (present-day China).
The domain of rich and varied Chinese culture: customs, variety, and heritage.
- Historical Origins and Philosophical Lineages:
The cultural heritage of China spans several millennia. Confucius, Laozi, and Mencius imparted significant principles for instance reverence for conviction, respect, loyalty and coordination, which exerted a profound influence on the development of Chinese culture. Chinese morals, ethics, and spirituality are influenced by Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.2. The Significance of Cultural Diversity and Regional Influences: China, being a geographically extensive nation, exhibits a wide array of regional cultures that collectively shape the distinct Chinese identity. Every region in China, including Beijing, Guangzhou, and Suzhou, possesses unique dialects, cuisines, cultures, and creative traditions.
- Language, Calligraphy, and Writing: The Chinese language, characterized by its elaborate characters, exerts a significant influence on the cultural fabric. The ancient Chinese written language, which has a history spanning thousands of years, assists as a pictorial art form that efficiently depicts the intricate and captivating aspects of their traditions. The practice of calligraphy, which involves the use of brush and ink to create characters, is highly appreciated for its practical efficacy and its status as an enhanced model of imaginative portrayal.
- Visual and Performing Arts: The visual and performing arts in China are widely recognized. Traditional Chinese painting covers a rich tradition of intricate brushwork and a compelling prominence on the natural world. Chinese ceramic, lacquerware, and silk weaving illustrate the careful artistic quality and perfectionism of the country. Chinese performing arts involve numerous forms such as Peking opera, shadow puppetry, Dragon Dance, Lion Dance, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu.
5. Culinary Delights: Chinese food is recognized for its distinguishing tastes, ingredients, and cooking proficiency, making it A fundamental attribute of the Chinese food culture. Chinese cuisine reveals regional alterations and prioritises mutual dining, containing dishes such as spicy Sichuan, refined Cantonese, and exquisite Shanghai dumplings. Chinese cuisine coordinates the beliefs of “Yin” and “Yang” and the balance between flavours and ingredients.
6. Festivals and Celebrations: China boasts an excess of vibrant celebrations and celebrations that serve as platforms for the exhibition of its rich traditions and profoundly embedded values. The Spring Festival, also known as Lunar New Year, is a significant celebration that includes family gatherings, fireworks display, red lanterns, and lion dances. Unique rituals and ceremonies are also observed during the Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and dragon Boat Festival.
7. Global Influence: The cultural impact of China is extensive, transcending national boundaries. The global popularity of conventional Chinese practice of medicine, Feng Shui, martial arts and the principles of Yin and Yang has been analysed.
8. The Great Wall of China: The Great Wall of China was protected by the Chinese monarchs to protect their territory which was constructed by many centuries ago. Presently, it spans a considerable expanse along the historical northern demarcation of China.
In contrast to prevailing public opinion, the assertion that the Great Wall of China is among the limited number of artificial structures observable from space is factually inaccurate. The wall’s similarity to the surrounding stone and earth makes it difficult to differentiate visually, even from a low Earth orbit. Moreover, its identification in most orbital pictures is not readily apparent. However, the awe-inspiring essence of this extraordinary antique monument remains unaffected. A solitary extant portion of an archaic barrier, situated in the Shandong province, is erected using a compacted soil material referred to as “rammed earth” and is estimated to have an age of around 2,500 years.
