History of Chinese Culture is a riveting study, and intrinsically related to Chinese history. In every phase of the Chinese history we find the growth of one or more culture forms. Every dynasty in imperial China as well as the modern democratic China has patronized and even pioneered various culture forms . So, it is important to understand the life and times in every age of Chinese history to make an attempt at understanding history of Chinese Culture .
The following list will provide an idea of the prominent time scales in Chinese culture:
- Neolithic Age
- Xia Dynasty
- Shang Dynasty
- Zhou Dynasty
- Song Dynasty
- Qin Emperor
- Han Dynasty
- Northern Dynasties
- Eastern Jin Dynasty
- Sui Dynasty
- Yuan dynasties
- Ming Dynasty
- New Culture Movement.
In each of the above dynasties were born several rulers who were responsible for the growth of Chinese culture, with the exception of the Neolithic age and the new culture movement. In the Neolithic age it was the stone, wood and bone carvings and cave paintings which provide the artistic outlet of the people. In the subsequent ages, however, metals substituted the other materials and the canvass changed to paper and cloth. Poetry and Music also arrived on the artistic scene with the sophistication of the Chinese culture . Literary pursuits of the people reflected everyday life as much as it spoke of the philosophical musings of its poets and religious and romantic inclinations all were expressed through them. Various dance forms and theater has also developed in China, namely the dragon dance , the lion dance etc.
The scientific and philosophical aspects of the history of Chinese culture also cannot be neglected. Although in passing but it must be mentioned that the Chinese made considerable technical advancement in basic maths , mechanical engineering , defense technologies and meteorology. Astronomy and related studies also got their share as did medicine and law . Philosophically Confucianism and Taoism were significant developments. The practice of various forms of martial arts especially in the Buddhist monasteries also deserves a special mention.
After the New Cultural Movement , the new socialist regime constricted the spontaneous expression of the people but not for long. Moreover this is the time when the exposure to the Russian art allowed the Chinese artists to adopt western techniques in their work.
Advent of the cinematic arts opened up many new avenues of self expression for the Chinese artists for the first time in history of Chinese culture. Ultimately it has now become China's window to the world as has the arrival of the World Wide Web.
So modern China with a strong foundation in the history of Chinese culture is increasingly changing itself to suit the world round it, culturally.
