Progress:
Hey everyone! I'm finally back and more ready than ever! If you did not know before or may have forgotten, the theme for this quarter's blogs is cultures. Soon enough, I will be visiting the Bowers Museum as well as the J. Paul Getty Museum! :)
Anyhow, this blog's focus is Chinese culture! In matter of fact, we all have been exposed to Chinese culture before, whether it was by eating at a Chinese buffet or having Chinese take out. (Yes, all the Kung Fu Pandas are sort of based on Chinese culture).
Well today, I will be talking about Chinese history! No this won't be your typical history class that you are taking at school. I will try to make this as simple to understand and as well as fun. I will be talking about ancient Chinese clothing, religion, and food.
Are you ready? Let's go! :)
Hey everyone! I'm finally back and more ready than ever! If you did not know before or may have forgotten, the theme for this quarter's blogs is cultures. Soon enough, I will be visiting the Bowers Museum as well as the J. Paul Getty Museum! :)
Anyhow, this blog's focus is Chinese culture! In matter of fact, we all have been exposed to Chinese culture before, whether it was by eating at a Chinese buffet or having Chinese take out. (Yes, all the Kung Fu Pandas are sort of based on Chinese culture).
Well today, I will be talking about Chinese history! No this won't be your typical history class that you are taking at school. I will try to make this as simple to understand and as well as fun. I will be talking about ancient Chinese clothing, religion, and food.
Are you ready? Let's go! :)
Looks:
Clothing
The material that the Chinese used for their clothing has changed over many years. However, the very first clothes were made up of animal skins. They were also decorated with small stones and animal teeth. (This was 1.7 mil. years ago during the Paleolithic Times). However, all of this changed during the Shang Dynasty, where the basic features of Chinese clothing were beginning to thrive. The next dynasty, the Zhou, brought along the long gowns. Lastly was the Republic of China, when Chinese clothing really took a turn. During this time, clothing called Mao Suit became popular for men, and cheongsams became popular for women.
Clothing
The material that the Chinese used for their clothing has changed over many years. However, the very first clothes were made up of animal skins. They were also decorated with small stones and animal teeth. (This was 1.7 mil. years ago during the Paleolithic Times). However, all of this changed during the Shang Dynasty, where the basic features of Chinese clothing were beginning to thrive. The next dynasty, the Zhou, brought along the long gowns. Lastly was the Republic of China, when Chinese clothing really took a turn. During this time, clothing called Mao Suit became popular for men, and cheongsams became popular for women.
Each Chinese clothing has a special design or pattern. Also, different colors and designs represented different ranks, genders, occupation, etc. For example, only emperors could have dragon embroideries on their clothes and wear yellow. (Tang Dynasty). Similarly, fifth or higher ranking officials wore purple (Qing Dynasty). Specific colors were significant depending on the dynasty. For instance, black was important during the Xia Dynasty, white in the Shang Dynasty, and red during Zhou Dynasty. Red generally represented joy or happiness and white was usually worn during mourning. Also during the Sui Dynasty, poor people could only wear blue or black. If a person had a higher social rank or was richer, he would have more embroideries on his clothing.
The poor and rich also differentiated in clothing. The poor generally wore clothes made of hemp, which was rough material made from plant fibers. This was so that their clothes would not get ruined when they were working in the fields. On the other hand, the rich wore clothes made of softer material, silk, which comes from the cocoons of silkworms. If a poor person was caught wearing silk, he or she would be punished.
However, most of the ancient Chinese wore robes called Hanfu. This clothing was referred to as the Han Chinese clothing. Generally men wore shorter clothing. For example, women's clothing reached the floor while men could wear clothing that reached up to their knees. The Chinese wore darker shades of clothing because light color clothing represented the common people.
The Hanfu went through many transformations during the different dynasties. During the Warring States Period, robes and no buttons were preferred. Next, in the Qin and Dynasties, the robe now had two different hems: one straight and one curved. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, women's clothing became tighter while dresses got longer. And in the Tang Dynasty, men began wearing black kerchiefs to cover their hair. The also wore cross or round collars while women liked high waist dresses. During the Qing Dynasty, the hanfus were banned; after, the Chinese began adopting western styles and the Hanfus were never seen again.
The poor and rich also differentiated in clothing. The poor generally wore clothes made of hemp, which was rough material made from plant fibers. This was so that their clothes would not get ruined when they were working in the fields. On the other hand, the rich wore clothes made of softer material, silk, which comes from the cocoons of silkworms. If a poor person was caught wearing silk, he or she would be punished.
However, most of the ancient Chinese wore robes called Hanfu. This clothing was referred to as the Han Chinese clothing. Generally men wore shorter clothing. For example, women's clothing reached the floor while men could wear clothing that reached up to their knees. The Chinese wore darker shades of clothing because light color clothing represented the common people.
The Hanfu went through many transformations during the different dynasties. During the Warring States Period, robes and no buttons were preferred. Next, in the Qin and Dynasties, the robe now had two different hems: one straight and one curved. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, women's clothing became tighter while dresses got longer. And in the Tang Dynasty, men began wearing black kerchiefs to cover their hair. The also wore cross or round collars while women liked high waist dresses. During the Qing Dynasty, the hanfus were banned; after, the Chinese began adopting western styles and the Hanfus were never seen again.
Hair
Hair was different for each group of people, especially if you were male. Men had to have long hair, so they tied a bun at the top of their head and it was usually covered with a piece of cloth or a hat. Having short hair meant you were punished or a prisoner. However, monks shaved their head to show that they did not care about their looks.
Women had their hair braided and used hairpins. Only married women could curl up their hair with hairpins.
Hair was different for each group of people, especially if you were male. Men had to have long hair, so they tied a bun at the top of their head and it was usually covered with a piece of cloth or a hat. Having short hair meant you were punished or a prisoner. However, monks shaved their head to show that they did not care about their looks.
Women had their hair braided and used hairpins. Only married women could curl up their hair with hairpins.
Religion!
There were three religions that truly formed Ancient China. These three were Confucianism, Taoism, and last but not least, Buddhism.
Taoism was created by Lao-Tzu. They believed that people should follow nature and that all living things have a universal force flowing through them. They did not really believe in rules. Therefore, they had not regard for the government. In fact, the yin and yang symbol came from Taoism. They believed that there has to be a balance of force in nature, no matter what the force was. Some examples of these forces are hot and cold and dark and light.
However, a scholar named Confucius created Confucianism. He taught that people must treat others with respect, politeness, and fairness. Unlike Taoists, Confucians believed in a strong government. Confucius also believed honor and morality were two most important qualities. He said that family was important and honoring one's relatives was required (filial piety). These were some of his common sayings:
1) Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
2) It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
3) Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.
4) When anger rises, think of the consequences.
5) Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.
In addition, Buddhism created based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddhists were taught to believe in the concept called Karma, where all one's actions have consequences. So one's actions can have positive or negative effects in the future.
The Chinese also believed in the Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao. It is based on a 12 year cycle. is based on a twelve-year cycle, each year represents an animal sign. The animals are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. It is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It is said that there is relationship between the human and all of the animals. Just like the astrological signs, these years can represent one's strengths, weaknesses, and fortune.
There were three religions that truly formed Ancient China. These three were Confucianism, Taoism, and last but not least, Buddhism.
Taoism was created by Lao-Tzu. They believed that people should follow nature and that all living things have a universal force flowing through them. They did not really believe in rules. Therefore, they had not regard for the government. In fact, the yin and yang symbol came from Taoism. They believed that there has to be a balance of force in nature, no matter what the force was. Some examples of these forces are hot and cold and dark and light.
However, a scholar named Confucius created Confucianism. He taught that people must treat others with respect, politeness, and fairness. Unlike Taoists, Confucians believed in a strong government. Confucius also believed honor and morality were two most important qualities. He said that family was important and honoring one's relatives was required (filial piety). These were some of his common sayings:
1) Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
2) It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
3) Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.
4) When anger rises, think of the consequences.
5) Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.
In addition, Buddhism created based on the teachings of Buddha. Buddhists were taught to believe in the concept called Karma, where all one's actions have consequences. So one's actions can have positive or negative effects in the future.
The Chinese also believed in the Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao. It is based on a 12 year cycle. is based on a twelve-year cycle, each year represents an animal sign. The animals are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. It is calculated according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It is said that there is relationship between the human and all of the animals. Just like the astrological signs, these years can represent one's strengths, weaknesses, and fortune.
Lastly, food! Not any kind of food, Chinese food!!
The ancient Chinese were in fact really healthy. They rarely ate meat but ate duck, turtle, fish, and eggs. Meat was also expensive, too, so people began eating tofu. The only meat they ate was their domesticated chickens. They also ate rice and noodles and rice was served at special events. People often made wished on rice dumplings, which were served during during the first full moon in the new year.
If they were not cooking rice to eat it, they often used it to make rice wine. Millet wine was also popular during the Han Dynasty. Also, when they were not drinking, the Chinese drank tea because it grew wild there.
The Chinese also did not have a lot of fuel. This meant that when they cooked, they had to cut up their food into small bits so that it could cook faster.
The ancient Chinese were in fact really healthy. They rarely ate meat but ate duck, turtle, fish, and eggs. Meat was also expensive, too, so people began eating tofu. The only meat they ate was their domesticated chickens. They also ate rice and noodles and rice was served at special events. People often made wished on rice dumplings, which were served during during the first full moon in the new year.
If they were not cooking rice to eat it, they often used it to make rice wine. Millet wine was also popular during the Han Dynasty. Also, when they were not drinking, the Chinese drank tea because it grew wild there.
The Chinese also did not have a lot of fuel. This meant that when they cooked, they had to cut up their food into small bits so that it could cook faster.
Reflection:
Overall, I think I have learned more about Chinese culture than I have in my textbooks at school. Although the religions were just a review for me, I truly did not know about the types of clothing that they wore. I also did not know that a color represented a certain ranking or gender. Life seemed difficult back then for a Chinese, so that is why I am very appreciative that I am living in the 21st century. I also learned that there are more dynasties than I thought. I have always learned that the main ones were the Tang, Ming, Song, but this research allowed me to remember the other kinds of dynasties and what society was like in each dynasty. Personally, my favorite food is not Chinese so I do not know a lot about Chinese food, but now I have learned what the Chinese ate back then and how they cooked their food.
It is interesting to me how much Chinese food has changed over the thousands of years. The Chinese back then would have never thought that fast food restaurants such as Panda Express and Hong Kong Express would exist today. It is also interesting to me to see how much society has been influenced by Chinese culture. For example, America's main producer is China. That is why if you look at most of your home appliances, it will say "made in China." China has also influenced Americans to make the movie "Kung Fu Panda." There are also many Chinese superstars who continue to thrive today. Such examples are Jeremy Lin (a basketball player) and Jackie Chan (an actor).
It truly amazes me how much Chinese culture has changed. I had a great time researching Chinese culture and I hope you had fun reading it! I also hope that when you were reading it, it did not remind you of your actual history class. Anyways, I can't wait to blog about my experience at the Bowers Museum, so I'll talk to you guys soon! :-)
-Kelly
Work Cited
1) http://quatr.us/china/food/
2) http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/clothing.php
3) https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/clothing/
4) http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/215Traditions9827.html
5) https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/clothing/hanfu/
6) http://china.mrdonn.org/food.html
7) https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/
8) http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/religion.php
Overall, I think I have learned more about Chinese culture than I have in my textbooks at school. Although the religions were just a review for me, I truly did not know about the types of clothing that they wore. I also did not know that a color represented a certain ranking or gender. Life seemed difficult back then for a Chinese, so that is why I am very appreciative that I am living in the 21st century. I also learned that there are more dynasties than I thought. I have always learned that the main ones were the Tang, Ming, Song, but this research allowed me to remember the other kinds of dynasties and what society was like in each dynasty. Personally, my favorite food is not Chinese so I do not know a lot about Chinese food, but now I have learned what the Chinese ate back then and how they cooked their food.
It is interesting to me how much Chinese food has changed over the thousands of years. The Chinese back then would have never thought that fast food restaurants such as Panda Express and Hong Kong Express would exist today. It is also interesting to me to see how much society has been influenced by Chinese culture. For example, America's main producer is China. That is why if you look at most of your home appliances, it will say "made in China." China has also influenced Americans to make the movie "Kung Fu Panda." There are also many Chinese superstars who continue to thrive today. Such examples are Jeremy Lin (a basketball player) and Jackie Chan (an actor).
It truly amazes me how much Chinese culture has changed. I had a great time researching Chinese culture and I hope you had fun reading it! I also hope that when you were reading it, it did not remind you of your actual history class. Anyways, I can't wait to blog about my experience at the Bowers Museum, so I'll talk to you guys soon! :-)
-Kelly
Work Cited
1) http://quatr.us/china/food/
2) http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/clothing.php
3) https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/clothing/
4) http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/215Traditions9827.html
5) https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/clothing/hanfu/
6) http://china.mrdonn.org/food.html
7) https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/
8) http://www.ducksters.com/history/china/religion.php