Ancient Chinese History Study Notes

Ancient Chinese History

  • Early Human Existence:

    • Peking Man dated as early as 300,000 B.C.E.

    • Early humanoids lived in caves, used stone tools, fire, and hunted.

  • Cultural Beliefs:

    • Belief in Chinese being native to the land since Earth's beginning.

    • Legends often echo ancient stories; e.g., creation story of P’an Ku.

Key Myths and Legendary Figures

  • P’an Ku: First man, emerged from a cosmic egg, and his body transformed into elements of the earth.

  • Fu-xi/Fu Hsi: Taught domestication, writing, and musical instruments.

  • Shen Nung: Invented agriculture and medicine.

  • Huang Di: Yellow Emperor, first human ruler credited with various inventions and state organization.

Chinese Dynasties

Xia/Hsia Dynasty

  • Founder: Yu, established a family dynasty.

  • Timeframe: Circa 2200 B.C.E. - 1700 B.C.E.; existence debated.

  • Advancements: Bronze use, silk-worm cultivation, written symbols.

Shang Dynasty

  • Transition: Overthrew Chieh, the last ruler of Xia.

  • Timeframe: Circa 1750 B.C.E.-1050 B.C.E.

  • Advancements: Ceramics, bronze casting, pictographic writing.

  • Society: Aristocratic, with a king and nobles; commoners as serfs.

  • Religious Practices: Ancestor worship, animism, divination.

Chou/Zhou Dynasty

  • Revolution: Conquered Shang, claiming divine mandate.

  • Timeframe: Circa 1123-221 B.C.E.

  • Philosophy: Introduced Tian (Heaven) as a moral force.

  • Continuity of Practices: Ancestor worship, animism, and new concepts like yin and yang.

Distinctive Elements of Traditional Chinese Religion

  1. Problem: Disharmony within the natural order.

  2. Cause: Human choices leading to a lack of harmony.

  3. Reality: Comprised of yin (passive) and yang (active) forces, with elements formed from five basic elements (wood, fire, metal, water, earth).

  4. Goal: Attain harmony in life, focusing on balance rather than afterlife.

  5. Means: Veneration of ancestors, living honorably, and magical practices (e.g., divination).

  6. Sacred: Acknowledgment of cosmic order (Tao/Dao) and numerous local gods, including Shang Ti and earth gods.