The Culture of China (Chinese: 中國文化) is home to one of the world's oldest and most

complex civilizations covering a history of over 5,000 years. The nation covers a large
geographical region with customs and traditions varying greatly between towns, cities and
provinces. Chinese culture (Chinese: 中華文化) is a broad term used to describe the cultural
foundation, even among Chinese-speaking regions outside of mainland China.

Contents
[hide]
• 1 People in the culture
○ 1.1 Identity
○ 1.2 Regional
• 2 Society
○ 2.1 Structure
○ 2.2 Values
• 3 Language
• 4 Mythology and spirituality
• 5 Health
• 6 Literature
• 7 Music
• 8 Arts
• 9 Martial arts
• 10 Fashion
• 11 Architecture
• 12 Cuisine
• 13 Leisure
• 14 Gallery
• 15 References
• 16 See also
• 17 External links

[edit] People in the culture

People in imperial China - Qing dynasty
[edit] Identity
Main articles: Ethnic groups in Chinese history and Ethnic minorities in China
Many ethnic groups have existed in China. In terms of numbers, however, the pre-eminent ethnic
group is the Han Chinese. Throughout history, many groups have been assimilated into
neighboring ethnicities or disappeared without a trace. At the same time, many within the Han
identity have maintained distinct linguistic and regional cultural traditions. The term Zhonghua
Minzu has been used to describe the notion of Chinese nationalism in general. Much of the
traditional cultural identity within the community has to do with distinguishing the family name.
[edit] Regional
Traditional Chinese Culture covers a large geographical territories, each region is usually divided
into distinct sub-cultures. Using modern names, here are some distinction:
• The Yangtze River areas include Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi,
Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangsu.
[edit] Society

Gold detailing on a throne used by the Qianlong Emperor. Chinese dragon was a symbol
reserved for the Emperor of China or high level imperial families during the Qing Dynasty
[edit] Structure
Main article: Social structure of China
Since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period, some form of Chinese monarch has been
the main ruler above all. Different periods of history have different names for the various
positions within society. Conceptually each imperial or feudal period is similar, with the
government and military officials ranking high in the hierarchy, and the rest of the population
under regular Chinese law.[1] Since the late Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE), traditional Chinese
society was organized into a hierarchic system of socio-economic classes known as the four
occupations. However, this system did not cover all social groups while the distinctions between
all groups became blurred ever since the commercialization of Chinese culture in the Song
Dynasty (960–1279 CE). Ancient Chinese education also has a long history; ever since the Sui
Dynasty (581–618 CE) educated candidates prepared for the Imperial examinations that drafted
exam graduates into government as scholar-bureaucrats. Trades and crafts were usually taught by
a sifu. The female historian Ban Zhao wrote the Lessons for Women in the Han Dynasty and
outlined the four virtues women must abide to, while scholars such as Zhu Xi and Cheng Yi
would expand upon this. Chinese marriage and Taoist sexual practices are some of the customs
and rituals found in society.
[edit] Values
Main articles: Chinese philosophy and Religion in China
Most social values are derived from Confucianism and Taoism with a combination of
conservatism. The subject of which school was the most influential is always debated as many
concepts such as Neo-Confucianism, Buddhism and many others have come about.
Reincarnation and other rebirth concept is a reminder of the connection between real-life and the
next-life.
[edit] Language

Chinese calligraphy written by Song Dynasty (1051-1108 CE) poet Mi Fu

Main articles: Chinese language and History of Standard Mandarin
Spoken Chinese consisted of a number of Chinese dialects throughout history. In the Ming
Dynasty standard Mandarin was nationalized. Even so, it wasn't until the Republic of China era
in the 1900s when there was any noticeable result in promoting a common unified language in
China.
The ancient written standard was Classical Chinese. It was used for thousands of years, but was
mostly reserved for scholars and intellectuals. By the 20th century, millions of citizens,
especially those outside of the imperial court were illiterate[1]. Only after the May 4th Movement
did the push for Vernacular Chinese begin. This allowed common citizens to read since it was
modeled after the linguistics and phonology of a spoken language.
[edit] Mythology and spirituality
A Luohan, one of the spiritual figures shared between Chinese and Indian Culture across
different types of Buddhism.
Main articles: Chinese spiritual world concepts, Chinese mythology, and Chinese folk
religion
A large part of Chinese culture is based on the notion that a spiritual world exists. Countless
methods of divination have helped answer questions, even serving as an alternate to medicine.
Folklores have helped fill the gap for things that cannot be explained. There is often a blurred
line between myth, religion and unexplained phenomenon. While many deities are part of the
tradition, some of the most recognized holy figures include Guan Yin, Jade Emperor and
Buddha. Many of the stories have since evolved into traditional Chinese holidays. Other
concepts have extended to outside of mythology into spiritual symbols such as Door god and the
Imperial guardian lions. Along with the belief of the holy, there is also the evil. Practices such as
Taoist exorcism fighting mogwai and jiang shi with peachwood swords are just some of the
concepts passed down from generations. A few Chinese fortune telling rituals are still in use
today after thousands of years of refinement.
[edit] Health
A large part of traditional Chinese culture is about finding the balance of Yin and Yang in
relation to Qi, health and the meridian system in order to find harmony. Traditional Chinese
medicine consists of a number of treatments including Chinese herbology and acupuncture.
Other less intrusive forms of health improvement include qigong and meditation.
[edit] Literature
Sūn Wùkōng in Journey to the West.
Main article: Chinese literature
The extensive collection of books that have been preserved since the Zhou Dynasty demonstrate
just how advanced the intellectuals have been at one time. Indeed, the era of the Zhou Dynasty is
often looked to as the touchstone of Chinese cultural development. The Five Cardinal Points is
the foundation for almost all major studies. Concepts covered within the Chinese classic texts
present a wide range of subjects including poetry, astrology, astronomy, calendar, constellations
and many others. Some of the most important early texts include I Ching and Shujing within the
Four Books and Five Classics. Many Chinese concepts such as Yin and Yang, Qi, Four Pillars of
Destiny in relation to heaven and earth were all theorized in the dynastic periods.
Notable confucianists, taoists and scholars of all class have made significant contributions from
documenting history to authoring saintly concepts that seem hundred of years ahead of time.
Many novels such as Four Great Classical Novels spawned countless fictional stories. By the end
of the Qing Dynasty, Chinese culture would embark on a new era with Vernacular Chinese for
the common citizens. Hu Shih and Lu Xun would be pioneers in modern literature.
[edit] Music
Main article: Music of China
The music of China dates back to the dawn of Chinese civilization with documents and artifacts
providing evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC -
256 BC). Some of the oldest written music dates back to Confucius's time. The first major well-
documented flowering of Chinese music was for the qin during the Tang Dynasty, though it is
known to have played a major part before the Han Dynasty.
[edit] Arts
A Tang Dynasty tri-color Chinese glazed horse circa 700 CE
For all major visual, performance or artistic categories, see Chinese art.
Different forms of art have swayed under the influence of great philosophers, teachers, religious
figures and even political figures. Chinese art encompasses all facets of fine art, folk art and
performance art. Porcelain pottery was one of the first forms of art in the Palaeolithic period.
Early Chinese music and poetry was influenced by the Book of Songs, Confucius and the Chinese
poet and statesman Qu Yuan. Chinese painting became a highly appreciated art in court circles
encompassing a wide variety of Shan shui with specialized styles such as Ming Dynasty
painting. Early Chinese music was based on percussion instruments, which later gave away to
string and reed instruments. By the Han dynasty papercutting became a new art form after the
invention of paper. Chinese opera would also be introduced and branched regionally in additional
to other performance formats such as variety arts.
[edit] Martial arts

Demonstrating Kung Fu at Daxiangguo Monestary, Kaifeng, Henan.

Main articles: Chinese martial arts and List of Chinese martial arts
China is one of the main birth place of Eastern martial arts. The names of martial arts were called
Kung Fu or its first name Wushu. China also includes the home to the well-respected Shaolin
Monastery and Wudang Mountains. The first generation of art started more for the purpose of
survival and warfare than art. Overtime, some art forms have branched off, while others have
retained a distinct Chinese flavor. Regardless, China has brewed some of the most renowned
martial artists including Wong Fei Hung and many others. The art have also co-existed with a
variety of weapons including the more standard 18 arms. Legendary and controversial moves
like Dim Mak are also praised and talked about within the culture.
[edit] Fashion
Main article: Clothing of China
Different social class in different time eras boast different fashion trends. China's fashion history
covers hundreds of years with some of the most colorful and diverse arrangements. Fashionable
but questionable practices such as footbinding have also been part of the culture. Many symbols
such as phoenix have been used for decorative as well as economic purposes.
[edit] Architecture

A north corner of Forbidden City, featuring classic construction style

Main article: Chinese architecture
Chinese architecture, examples of which can be found from over 2,000 years ago, has long been
a hallmark of the culture. There are certain features common to Chinese architecture, regardless
of specific region or use. The most important is its emphasis on width, as the wide halls of the
Forbidden City serve as an example. In contrast, western architecture emphasize on height,
though there are exceptions such as pagodas.
Another important feature is symmetry, which connotes a sense of grandeur as it applies to
everything from palaces to farmhouses. One notable exception is in the design of gardens, which
tends to be as asymmetrical as possible. Like Chinese scroll paintings, the principle underlying
the garden's composition is to create enduring flow, to let the patron wander and enjoy the garden
without prescription, as in nature herself. Feng shui has played an important part in structural
development.
[edit] Cuisine
Chinese meal in Suzhou with rice, shrimp, eggplant, fermented tofu, vegetable stir-fry,
vegetarian duck with meat and bamboo

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Chinese proverbs
Main article: Chinese cuisine
The overwhelmingly large variety mainly comes from the emperors hosting a banquet of 100
dishes each meal[2]. Countless number of imperial kitchen staff and concubines were involved in
the food preparation process. Overtime, many dishes became part of the everyday-citizen culture.
Some of the highest quality restaurants with recipes close to the dynastic periods include
Fangshan restaurant in Beihai Park Beijing and the Oriole Pavilion[2]. Arguably all branches of
Hong Kong eastern style or even American Chinese food are in some ways rooted from the
original dynastic cuisines.
[edit] Leisure
A number of games and past-times are popular within Chinese culture. The most common game
is Mah Jong. The same pieces are used for other styled games such as Shanghai Solitaire. Others
include Pai Gow, Pai gow poker and other bone domino games. Go proverb and Xiangqi is also
popular. Ethnic games like Chinese yo-yo are also part of the culture.
[edit] Gallery

"Nine Dragons" handscroll

A goldfish pond is a section, by Chen Rong,
signature Chinese 1244 AD, Chinese Song
The Chinese No. 4 of Ten Thousand scenery depicted in Dynasty, Museum of Fine
Dragon, Fu dog and Scenes (十萬圖之四). countless art work. Arts, Boston.
incense comprise Painting by Ren Xiong,
three symbols a pioneer of the
within traditional Shanghai School of
Chinese culture. Chinese art circa 1850