CHINESE ARCHITECTURE PART 1

CIN

First recorded use of the word "China" dated in 1555, popularized by Marco Polo.

CINA

Porcelain or ceramic ware originally made in China.

QIN

The dynasty that unified China; associated with a "yellow-colored" barbarian tribe from the North.

SINA

Refers to Sino, Sinae.

ZHONGGUO

Literally means "central country," referring to the Zhou Dynasty as the "Center of Civilization."

CATHAY/CATHAI

Historical or poetic name for China, possibly derived from "Khitans."

REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Established after the government’s formation in 1912.

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Current name of China.

CHINA

The largest country in Asia, located in Southeast Asia along the Pacific Ocean coastline.

9.6 million square kilometers

The area of China.

3RD LARGEST COUNTRY

China ranks third in size after Russia and Canada.

PILGRIMAGES

Sacred mountains; 33% mountainous and 10% hilly.

YELLOW RIVER (HUANG HE)

Known as "The Great Sorrow," it overflows its banks each spring.

YANGTZE RIVER (CHANG JIANG)

The third longest river in the world.

PEARL RIVER (ZHU JIANG)

848 miles (2,197 km) long.

NORTH CHINA

Dominated by alluvial plains along the Yellow River.

GOBI DESERT

Located to the north of China.

SOUTH CHINA

Region drained by the Yangtze River, hillier than North China.

WARM AND HUMID

Climate characteristic of South China.

SOUTHWEST CHINA

Occupies ¼ of the land area of PRC, featuring mountains and highlands.

TIBET

Annexed by China in 1950.

MOUNTEVERST

The highest mountain in the world, located in Southwest China.

OUTER CHINA

A vast area to the north and west of China proper.

INNER MONGOLIAN PLATEAU

A mix of prairie, mountain, and desert suitable for raising sheep and yaks.

COLD WINTER AND WARM SUMMER

Climate in China, situated north of the equator.

DIVERSE CLIMATES

Architectural diversity across various regions in China.

WOOD-FRAME CONSTRUCTION

A distinctive architectural feature in China.

TIMBER

The principal material used in traditional Chinese architecture.

PERSIA NANMU

The tallest and straightest tree species in China.

BRICKS

Used for roofs covered with clay tiles in symbolic colors.

SILK ROAD

Trade route that established extensive trading, making China the largest ancient economy.

CONFUCIANISM

A new code of social conduct and philosophy of life.

TAOISM

Founded by La Tzü, promoting universal love as a solution to social disorder.

FENG SHUI

Belief that local forces affect energy flow within spaces.

TAI CHI

A practice advocating balance and completeness through movement.

YIN AND YANG

Taoist concept of balancing forces in nature.

LO SHU MAGIC SQUARE

A square where numbers in every direction add up to 15.

BAGUA CHART

A chart symbolizing specific properties in Feng Shui.

DYNASTIES

Families that ruled China over different periods.

EMPERORS

Chinese rulers based on the Confucian model.

ZHOUKOUDIAN CAVE

First evidence of human habitation in China.

HOMO ERECTUS

Commonly known as Peking Man, lived approximately 300,000 to 550,000 years ago.

ZHOU DYNASTY

Ruled from 2000 - 256 BC, emerged in the Huang He valley.

"MANDATE OF HEAVEN"

The belief that rulers are divinely chosen.

QIN DYNASTY

First Chinese empire, unified China under a legalist government.

GREAT WALL

Built to protect against invasions, developed by the Ming Dynasty.

HAN DYNASTY

Ruled from 207 to 220 B.C., known for the Golden Age of China.

BUDDHISM

Became dominant during the Han Dynasty but was later overshadowed by Confucianism.

FIVE DYNASTIES

Period marked by attacks from Khitans and Turks, significant for printing development.

NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN SONG DYNASTY:

Great advances were made in the areas of technological invention, material production, political philosophy, government and elite culture.