The Tang (T’ang) Dynasty and the Beginning of Chinese Civilization (left) Second emperor of the Tang Dynasty— Taizong (T’ai-tsung)

The Fourth Emperor of the Tang—Wuze Tian (Wu-tse T’ien)—or the First Empress in Chinese History

The Beginning of Chinese Civilization Written records and archaeological discoveries indicate that Written records and archaeological discoveries indicate that  Chinese civilization appeared as early as 5,000 years ago; although the first 500 years being legendary  Legendary kings remain culture heroes in the eyes of common people: Yellow Emperor, Yao, Shun, Yu

Three [Ancient] Dynasties Scholars have proven the existence of the so- called “Three Dynasties” Scholars have proven the existence of the so- called “Three Dynasties”  Xia (Hsia): its history and culture have been under reconstruction  Shang ( BCE ): generally regarded as China’s first historical dynasty characterized by rich cultural activities  Zhou (Chou, BCE ; BCE ): more elaborate cultural activities appeared

Fu Hao’s (Lady Hao’s ) tomb, dated ca. 1,200 BCE, unearthed in 1976 Fu Hao was one of King Wu Ding’s wives

One of 130 bronze weapons found in Fu Hao’s tomb Artifacts found in Fu Hao’s tomb number nearly 9,000, most of which are bronze, jade, and bone objects. 6,900 pieces of cowrie shell were found in the tomb

Drinking vessels found in Fu Hao’s tomb Ivory objects

Drinking vessels found in Fu Hao’s tomb

Taotie image/pattern on bronze vessels

Cauldron with taotie inscribed on it

Bronze: Shang Dynasty

Fragments of oracle bones in a pit

The Legacy of Shang A Bronze-producing culture characterized by its bronze technology A Bronze-producing culture characterized by its bronze technology Bronze used more for ritual than for war Bronze used more for ritual than for war  Bronze objects: cups, goblets, steamers, cauldrons Other material objects: jade, silk, carved wood Other material objects: jade, silk, carved wood Oracle bones used in divination; oracle-bone inscription represented early writing system: logographic Oracle bones used in divination; oracle-bone inscription represented early writing system: logographic

Food: millet, wheat were main staples Food: millet, wheat were main staples Rammed earth city walls Rammed earth city walls Revered Lord on High Revered Lord on High Worshiped ancestors Worshiped ancestors Chariot warfare Chariot warfare

Bronze: Zhou Dynasty

The Legacy of Zhou New system of Divination New system of Divination  Based on The Book of Changes  virtue, correct way seen as important to meet auspicious sign and result The concept of Heaven-- The concept of Heaven--  linked the Zhou king and heaven : Mandate of Heaven  Son of Heaven (tianzi)  used for reading and interpreting history: The Book of History

The Book of Changes The Yijing (or I-ching) The Yijing (or I-ching)  A divinatory handbook; not about cosmogony  Concerned with human life, the structure of universe, and their interconnection

Represented a new form of divinationRepresented a new form of divination Replaced earlier divination by means of oracle bonesReplaced earlier divination by means of oracle bones Based on eight trigrams that were paired to yield sixty-four hexagrams to be consulted through the casting of milfoil stalksBased on eight trigrams that were paired to yield sixty-four hexagrams to be consulted through the casting of milfoil stalks

The Book of History The Shujing (a.k.a. The Book of Documents) The Shujing (a.k.a. The Book of Documents)  Teaches interdependent cosmology of heaven, earth, and human beings  Record of historical events from the third millennium to the 7th century BCE.  A combination of history and legend.

Major themes of the book: Major themes of the book:  Cultural heroes performed rituals and, with ritual offerings, communicated with spiritual beings  Shang people revered the Lord on High  (Shangdi) and ancestral spirits were supplicated with sacrificial offerings  Zhou people revered Heaven

Other themes: Other themes:  Human effort are much stressed  People possessing radiant inner virtue and integrity are able to communicate with spirits and invoke their assistance  Interrelatedness of all things  Individuals are figuratively conjoined to the cosmos  A sovereign should facilitate harmonious relationship between heaven, earth, and human beings

The Book of Odes (Poetry, Songs) Content: Content:  Sacrificial hymns, praise songs—honor culture heroes, tutelary deities; celebrate the virtues of King Wen  Love poems--written in the female voice, described everyday life  Folk songs—tell of the joys and sorrows of the common people

The Book of Rites The Book of Rites (li) The Book of Rites (li)  Stresses the importance and function of rituals  Relates the purpose and import of different rituals  Elaborates values and principles of rituals within the context of family and larger public social network (i.e., self and others; internal and external)  Underscores the relationships between social classes, and between man and nature;  Layouts the goals of life

The Rites of Chou (Zhou) The Rites of Chou (Zhou)  Records the vocabulary, regalia, staffing of ritual proceedings  Grand minister of rites; master of sacrifices, chief shaman; male shaman, female shaman; grand invocator; female invocator; exorcist; diviner of dreams  Catalogues the administrative duties of the officials

The Spring and Autumn Annals The Spring and Autumn Annals The Spring and Autumn Annals  A chronicle of important historical events occurred in the states of northern China from 722 to 481 BCE. Master Zuo’s (Tso’s) Commentary, or the Zuo (Tso) chuan Master Zuo’s (Tso’s) Commentary, or the Zuo (Tso) chuan  An interpretive, narrative history correlating with the accounts in Spring & Autumn Annals  Records historical tales, anecdotes, legends…

Reverence of ancestral spirits  Human virtue or integrity emphasized  Alcohol, animal flesh and blood used in sacrificial ceremonies

Model government Model government  High leadership quality exemplified by King Wen, King Wu, and the Duke of Zhou  military prowess, the morally based civil arts, and loyalty Hereditary kingship and hierarchical society Hereditary kingship and hierarchical society  “Son of Heaven,” feudal lords, ministers, officers…farmers

Bronze Bronze  vessels’ motifs were more related to war than ritual Poetry: the Book of Odes (Songs, Poetry) Poetry: the Book of Odes (Songs, Poetry)

Paternalistic relationship between ruler and common people, the majority of which were peasant Paternalistic relationship between ruler and common people, the majority of which were peasant  Role of ruler:  educate people and exhort them to comply with social mores  Concerned about their welfare

People’s role: People’s role:  Revere ancestors, present sacrificial offering to them and heaven  Develop a sense of filial piety and care for the needs of living  Serve the lord as their parent (ruler) Confucianism and other schools of thought Confucianism and other schools of thought