So here it comes to this at last, my general study of all things China. I have already learned so much in the past few weeks regarding China's history yet now would like to summarize their culture. It's a culture I have always appreciated (especially their food) yet one I have rarely studied. However since my WWII and Pacific War phase in the springtime I suddenly found myself more intrigued then ever with Asian history and culture. I have therefore dedicated this to be the summer of Asian appreciation.
I think my earliest memories of Chinese culture was eating out at the Hainan House restaurant in Fort Wayne with my family. In those days my brother and I would always order the sweet-and-sour chicken and we especially loved the egg rolls, the fortune cookies, and the hot-and-sour soup. I remember one time I was so impressed with my brother who ordered just a big bowl of hot-and-sour soup as his meal. By around junior high we discovered Chinese buffets and soon our palette quickly expanded to many other popular Chinese dishes.
Aside from their tasty food, some other cultural associations that come to mind regarding Chinese culture are; their relaxing music, their colorful wardrobes, their distinctive architecture, the Great Wall of China, their martial arts, and the Beijing Olympics of 2008. I remember experiencing a minor Chinese appreciation phase during the summer Olympics of 2008 however that was just as I was establishing this blog in my days in Chicago. In the 12 years I'v had this blog it's rarely seen any mention of Asian history or culture (outside of the Beijing Olympics) until now.
Chinese Folklore and Mythology
Another image that often comes to mind when thinking of Chinese culture is the dragon. There is certainly a root to this fascination and with most ancient cultures it can be derived from their folklore. In the likes of Ancient Egypt, many of China's history, philosophy, and customs are derived from the beliefs of their ancient mythology. These texts date as far back as the 12 century BC, and some of their most notable sources include the Shui Jing Zhu and Shan Hai Jing. Many of these mythological components made their way into popular Chinese religions such as Confucism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
The creations myths are not quite as detailed as Egyptian or Greek mythology however still show some unique characteristics. For starters most Chinese creations myths emphasize that in the beginning the basic element was an air of energy known as Qi. This element was transfused with another element of vapor, that established a dual symmetry of life known as Ying and Yang. The source of this sudden transfusion is often credited to be powerful dieties such as Shangdi, Pangu, or Nuwa.
Perhaps one of the most famous of Chinese mythology is the account of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. These legendary rulers were believed to have reigned from 2850 to 2205 BC and were aided by deities and dragons. The three sovereigns were Fuxi (companion of the deity Nuwa), Shennong (the divine farmer), and Huang Di (the yellow emperor). The five emperors were Shaohao Zhuanxu, Ku, Yao, and Shun. They set the groundwork for ancient China by which Yu the Great controlled the Great Flood and established China's first dynasty in 2070 BC.
Chinese Religion and Philosophy
Chinese religion is quite different from the western Abrahamic structure consisting of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Unlike our western belief in one God and a savior, Chinese religion puts their emphasis on the power of humanity and one's self. This is no doubt a component of Western religion, often practiced thru prayer, however spiritualism is the center element of most Asian religions. So in that sense Chinese religion is more so a philosophy rather than a practiced religion and could be considered more-so an atheistic way of life.
Chinese culture is shaped by three religious/philosophical teachings; Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. These three religions were passed on by philosophical teachers dating back to the 6th century. The first and most notable of these philosophers was Confucius who shared many of his ideals in the text known as the Analects. In this text he describes his philosophy based on the importance of humanity, righteousness, piety, and loyalty. Rather than a society that gives praise to a deity, Confucius believed society should honor the social structure, their family, and one another.
The practice of Taoism was established by various philosophers such as Laozi and Zuangzi. The key idea of this philosophy is a balance of nature, often represented by the concept of "wu wei". This ideology emphasizes a natural and balanced state of living against any extreme actions. The concept of dualism demonstrated in the yin and yang symbol is a key component of this belief. Taoists believe in the balance of happiness and virtue by honoring the Three Treasures; compassion, frugality, and humility.
The final major religion in China is Buddhism which actually came from India, however still constitutes 15% of the nation's population. Just as with Confucianism, this religion came from the teachings of a philosopher in the 5th century known as Guatama Buddha. Buddhism emphasizes ideas of karma, that everything in life is temporary, and also the Egyptian belief in reincarnation. Meditation and humility are vital tools to accept the suffering of life and find peace within. Another key concept of Buddhism is nirvana, which is a goal of perfect harmony thru enlightenment.
Buddhism is quite different from Confucianism and Taoism thru it's structured path of achieving righteousness. In this sense it is probably more-so a religion than the other two as it requires more spiritual attention. The principles of Buddhism lie in the Four Noble Truths; dukka (suffering), samudaya (origin), nirodha (ending), and magga (the path). The path of liberation is detailed in the Noble Eightfold Path; right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi.
Chinese Architecture
Another very distinctive trait of Chinese culture is their unique architecture which often consists of their iconic arched rooftops. Chinese buildings are often very colorful and have a unique shape to them. This style of architecture has a very aesthetic appeal to it and demonstrates elements of mythology and fantasy. The upward arched rooftops often referred to as flying eaves were built as a means for drainage, however they also demonstrate a symbolic identity of China. Many of China's most impressive monuments, palaces, and pagodas are built with this curved rooftop structure.
Two of China's most iconic landmarks are the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. The Great Wall of China was built as far back as the 8th century BC, and continued to expand and be reinforced during China's imperial age. The iconic Forbidden City was built by the Ming Dynasty in 1406 AD, as the new imperial palace located in Beijing. This palace alongside the Great Wall are two of the most visited landmarks in the country. Other iconic monuments include the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Potala Palace, and the underground Terracotta Army.
Chinese Arts, Crafts, and Literature
There's no question the Chinese have a heightened sense of artistry just by looking at the aesthetics of their architecture. They demonstrate a great value in aesthetics in merely every category of visual arts, crafts, music, literature, and so forth. For starters consider the text they use, known as calligraphy, it is a very artistic form of writing. Their paintings also celebrate symbolic and mythological meanings, often done so on silk or scrolls. The two main forms of Chinese paintings are referred to as the gongbi (realist detail) and water/ink painting referred to as sumi-e. The ink wash painting gives a more murky and surreal work of art, similar to impressionism.
The artistry of Chinese culture goes beyond their visual arts of paintings and sculpture yet is also demonstrated in their crafts. Consider popular household items such as porcelain, often displayed in glass cabinets referred to as "Chinas". This form of ceramic kitchenware became one of China's greatest exports in the 17th and 18th century. They also are well known for their paper lanterns, hand fans, carved lacquer, folding screens, and gardens all of which demonstrate the finest of Chinese decorative aesthetics.
The aesthetics of Chinese culture is also demonstrated in their literature with many famous works of mythology, folklore, philosophy, poetry, and novels. The greatest works of Chinese literature are often categorized as the Four Books and Five Classics. This includes some of the most ancient writings that contributed to Chinese mythology and identity such as the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals. The Four books are accredited to the philosopher Confucius of which his most famous text, the Analects is included. Other classic Chinese novels include Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Journey to the West, and Dream of the Red Chamber. Also worth mentioning is the philosophical masterpiece by Sun Tzu, Art of War, which I happen to be reading at the moment.
Chinese Sport
Now in the realm of international soccer, the world's most popular sport, China has always had a poor showing. However they have excelled in other sports particularly at the Olympic Games. Since the 1992 summer games they have finished in the top 4 on the medal table and are often right behind the US in total medals. Their hosting of the summer games in Beijing 2008 brought the country worldwide attention and demonstrated their rich culture as well as their many prominent athletes. Although the US beat them in total medal count, China garnished 48 golden medals, the most of any other country at the games.
While the country has produced some notable superstars such as basketball's Yao Ming and they have often excelled in badminton and gymnastics. Their true claim to fame in the field of sports is in the category of martial arts. China is the birth place of many ancient and popular fighting styles such as Kung Fu, wushu, and Wing Chun. This fighting style is more than just a physical combat sport, yet more so an ideology that includes elements of meditation and a state-of-mind. The fighting is done so with careful balance, agility, speed, and a focused state of mind; and should come as no surprise it has a visually aesthetic appeal to it.
Chinese Cuisine
As I mentioned in the introduction above, one of my favorite things about Chinese culture has always been the food. Since I was a kid I have always enjoyed the experience at a Chinese restaurant or buffet. From the decorations, to the relaxing music, the friendly waitresses, and the unique tableware (chopsticks and decor often depicting the Chinese Zodiac). Just to visit a Chinese restaurant is a cultural experience in it's own right, however obviously the best part is always the food.
It often starts with the tea, which is a Chinese staple that was invented by the Chinese as far back as the 3rd century and made popular during the Tang Dynasty (600-900 AD). I myself have always preferred the drink of coffee to tea, but I still can enjoy a tea from time to time. The next phase of a proper Chinese meal, is the appetizer which has a vast array of options. Some of my favorite Chinese appetizers are their hot-and-sour soup, tomato soup, egg rolls, and Crab Rangoon. After this comes the main course and the desserts.
Most Chinese main dishes usually contain a side of rice or noodles with veggies, and a variety of meats and sauce. The sauce is no doubt the defining characteristic and often provides an extremely sweat or extremely spicy combination. Some of my favorite Chinese dishes include the General Tso's Chicken, the Orange Chicken, the Green Pepper Steak, the Sesame Chicken, Sichuan Beef or fried rice. There's no question that Chinese cuisine has become an Americanized enterprise, quite similar to other popular ethnic foods such as Mexican and Indian food.
Movies about China
As an avid film enthusiast I have to end this post with some essential films regarding Chinese culture. Now although most of the films on this list are not Chinese productions they still capture the essence of Chinese culture. All the films on this list are set in China and pertain to some historical or cultural element of the country. If anyone wants to get some understanding of China as I have, I would highly recommend these films.
I think my earliest memories of Chinese culture was eating out at the Hainan House restaurant in Fort Wayne with my family. In those days my brother and I would always order the sweet-and-sour chicken and we especially loved the egg rolls, the fortune cookies, and the hot-and-sour soup. I remember one time I was so impressed with my brother who ordered just a big bowl of hot-and-sour soup as his meal. By around junior high we discovered Chinese buffets and soon our palette quickly expanded to many other popular Chinese dishes.Aside from their tasty food, some other cultural associations that come to mind regarding Chinese culture are; their relaxing music, their colorful wardrobes, their distinctive architecture, the Great Wall of China, their martial arts, and the Beijing Olympics of 2008. I remember experiencing a minor Chinese appreciation phase during the summer Olympics of 2008 however that was just as I was establishing this blog in my days in Chicago. In the 12 years I'v had this blog it's rarely seen any mention of Asian history or culture (outside of the Beijing Olympics) until now.
Chinese Folklore and Mythology
Another image that often comes to mind when thinking of Chinese culture is the dragon. There is certainly a root to this fascination and with most ancient cultures it can be derived from their folklore. In the likes of Ancient Egypt, many of China's history, philosophy, and customs are derived from the beliefs of their ancient mythology. These texts date as far back as the 12 century BC, and some of their most notable sources include the Shui Jing Zhu and Shan Hai Jing. Many of these mythological components made their way into popular Chinese religions such as Confucism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Perhaps one of the most famous of Chinese mythology is the account of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. These legendary rulers were believed to have reigned from 2850 to 2205 BC and were aided by deities and dragons. The three sovereigns were Fuxi (companion of the deity Nuwa), Shennong (the divine farmer), and Huang Di (the yellow emperor). The five emperors were Shaohao Zhuanxu, Ku, Yao, and Shun. They set the groundwork for ancient China by which Yu the Great controlled the Great Flood and established China's first dynasty in 2070 BC.
Chinese Religion and Philosophy
Chinese religion is quite different from the western Abrahamic structure consisting of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Unlike our western belief in one God and a savior, Chinese religion puts their emphasis on the power of humanity and one's self. This is no doubt a component of Western religion, often practiced thru prayer, however spiritualism is the center element of most Asian religions. So in that sense Chinese religion is more so a philosophy rather than a practiced religion and could be considered more-so an atheistic way of life. Chinese culture is shaped by three religious/philosophical teachings; Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. These three religions were passed on by philosophical teachers dating back to the 6th century. The first and most notable of these philosophers was Confucius who shared many of his ideals in the text known as the Analects. In this text he describes his philosophy based on the importance of humanity, righteousness, piety, and loyalty. Rather than a society that gives praise to a deity, Confucius believed society should honor the social structure, their family, and one another.
The practice of Taoism was established by various philosophers such as Laozi and Zuangzi. The key idea of this philosophy is a balance of nature, often represented by the concept of "wu wei". This ideology emphasizes a natural and balanced state of living against any extreme actions. The concept of dualism demonstrated in the yin and yang symbol is a key component of this belief. Taoists believe in the balance of happiness and virtue by honoring the Three Treasures; compassion, frugality, and humility.
The final major religion in China is Buddhism which actually came from India, however still constitutes 15% of the nation's population. Just as with Confucianism, this religion came from the teachings of a philosopher in the 5th century known as Guatama Buddha. Buddhism emphasizes ideas of karma, that everything in life is temporary, and also the Egyptian belief in reincarnation. Meditation and humility are vital tools to accept the suffering of life and find peace within. Another key concept of Buddhism is nirvana, which is a goal of perfect harmony thru enlightenment.Buddhism is quite different from Confucianism and Taoism thru it's structured path of achieving righteousness. In this sense it is probably more-so a religion than the other two as it requires more spiritual attention. The principles of Buddhism lie in the Four Noble Truths; dukka (suffering), samudaya (origin), nirodha (ending), and magga (the path). The path of liberation is detailed in the Noble Eightfold Path; right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi.
Chinese Architecture
Another very distinctive trait of Chinese culture is their unique architecture which often consists of their iconic arched rooftops. Chinese buildings are often very colorful and have a unique shape to them. This style of architecture has a very aesthetic appeal to it and demonstrates elements of mythology and fantasy. The upward arched rooftops often referred to as flying eaves were built as a means for drainage, however they also demonstrate a symbolic identity of China. Many of China's most impressive monuments, palaces, and pagodas are built with this curved rooftop structure.Two of China's most iconic landmarks are the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. The Great Wall of China was built as far back as the 8th century BC, and continued to expand and be reinforced during China's imperial age. The iconic Forbidden City was built by the Ming Dynasty in 1406 AD, as the new imperial palace located in Beijing. This palace alongside the Great Wall are two of the most visited landmarks in the country. Other iconic monuments include the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Potala Palace, and the underground Terracotta Army.
Chinese Arts, Crafts, and Literature
There's no question the Chinese have a heightened sense of artistry just by looking at the aesthetics of their architecture. They demonstrate a great value in aesthetics in merely every category of visual arts, crafts, music, literature, and so forth. For starters consider the text they use, known as calligraphy, it is a very artistic form of writing. Their paintings also celebrate symbolic and mythological meanings, often done so on silk or scrolls. The two main forms of Chinese paintings are referred to as the gongbi (realist detail) and water/ink painting referred to as sumi-e. The ink wash painting gives a more murky and surreal work of art, similar to impressionism.
The artistry of Chinese culture goes beyond their visual arts of paintings and sculpture yet is also demonstrated in their crafts. Consider popular household items such as porcelain, often displayed in glass cabinets referred to as "Chinas". This form of ceramic kitchenware became one of China's greatest exports in the 17th and 18th century. They also are well known for their paper lanterns, hand fans, carved lacquer, folding screens, and gardens all of which demonstrate the finest of Chinese decorative aesthetics.The aesthetics of Chinese culture is also demonstrated in their literature with many famous works of mythology, folklore, philosophy, poetry, and novels. The greatest works of Chinese literature are often categorized as the Four Books and Five Classics. This includes some of the most ancient writings that contributed to Chinese mythology and identity such as the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals. The Four books are accredited to the philosopher Confucius of which his most famous text, the Analects is included. Other classic Chinese novels include Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, Journey to the West, and Dream of the Red Chamber. Also worth mentioning is the philosophical masterpiece by Sun Tzu, Art of War, which I happen to be reading at the moment.
Chinese Sport
Now in the realm of international soccer, the world's most popular sport, China has always had a poor showing. However they have excelled in other sports particularly at the Olympic Games. Since the 1992 summer games they have finished in the top 4 on the medal table and are often right behind the US in total medals. Their hosting of the summer games in Beijing 2008 brought the country worldwide attention and demonstrated their rich culture as well as their many prominent athletes. Although the US beat them in total medal count, China garnished 48 golden medals, the most of any other country at the games.While the country has produced some notable superstars such as basketball's Yao Ming and they have often excelled in badminton and gymnastics. Their true claim to fame in the field of sports is in the category of martial arts. China is the birth place of many ancient and popular fighting styles such as Kung Fu, wushu, and Wing Chun. This fighting style is more than just a physical combat sport, yet more so an ideology that includes elements of meditation and a state-of-mind. The fighting is done so with careful balance, agility, speed, and a focused state of mind; and should come as no surprise it has a visually aesthetic appeal to it.
Chinese Cuisine
As I mentioned in the introduction above, one of my favorite things about Chinese culture has always been the food. Since I was a kid I have always enjoyed the experience at a Chinese restaurant or buffet. From the decorations, to the relaxing music, the friendly waitresses, and the unique tableware (chopsticks and decor often depicting the Chinese Zodiac). Just to visit a Chinese restaurant is a cultural experience in it's own right, however obviously the best part is always the food.
It often starts with the tea, which is a Chinese staple that was invented by the Chinese as far back as the 3rd century and made popular during the Tang Dynasty (600-900 AD). I myself have always preferred the drink of coffee to tea, but I still can enjoy a tea from time to time. The next phase of a proper Chinese meal, is the appetizer which has a vast array of options. Some of my favorite Chinese appetizers are their hot-and-sour soup, tomato soup, egg rolls, and Crab Rangoon. After this comes the main course and the desserts.Most Chinese main dishes usually contain a side of rice or noodles with veggies, and a variety of meats and sauce. The sauce is no doubt the defining characteristic and often provides an extremely sweat or extremely spicy combination. Some of my favorite Chinese dishes include the General Tso's Chicken, the Orange Chicken, the Green Pepper Steak, the Sesame Chicken, Sichuan Beef or fried rice. There's no question that Chinese cuisine has become an Americanized enterprise, quite similar to other popular ethnic foods such as Mexican and Indian food.
Movies about China
As an avid film enthusiast I have to end this post with some essential films regarding Chinese culture. Now although most of the films on this list are not Chinese productions they still capture the essence of Chinese culture. All the films on this list are set in China and pertain to some historical or cultural element of the country. If anyone wants to get some understanding of China as I have, I would highly recommend these films.
- The Last Emperor (1987) Pertains to the fall of the Qind Dynasty in 1911 at the hands of the Xinhai Revolution. This film was directed by Bernardo Bertolucci and won an impressive 9 Oscars.
- Empire of the Sun (1987) Pertains to the Japanese invasion of Shanghai, China during WWII. This great film directed by Steven Speilberg stars the young teenage Christian Bale and John Malkovich and was nominated for 6 Oscars.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) A Chinese adventure/fantasy celebrating Chinese martial arts and mythology. This was a critically acclaimed film that won 4 Oscars and had some very artistic action sequences.
- The Painted Veil (2006) Pertains to a love story set in China during a cholera epidemic in the 1920s. The film stars Edward Norton and Naomi Watts and has a very nice musical soundtrack by Alexandre Desplat.
- IP Man Series (2008, 2010, 2015, 2019) Pertains to the martial artist teacher, IP Man who made the technique of Wing Chung famous and trained the great Bruce Lee. These action films demonstrate some great martial arts action.
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