Civilization

In terms of the cultural and economic development of Chinese feudal society, the Tang Dynasty was undoubtedly an apogee in the development of human civilization. The Tang government not only opened its country to the outside world, allowing foreigners to enter for business or study, but even allowed them to participate in the selection examinations for government officials. It was tolerant, and often appreciative of religions, art and culture of the outside world. Chang'an, the Tang capital, became the center of exchanges between different cultures. It deserves special mention that women of the Tang dynasty did not have to obey traditional dress codes, but were allowed to wear clothing that exposed their arms and chest, or dress with exotic elements. They could also wear riding clothes if they wanted to and enjoyed the freedom to choose their marriage and to divorce. The abundance of materials and a relatively relaxed social environment gave the Tang dynasty an unprecedented opportunity to develop culture, reaching new heights in such fields as poetry, painting, music and dance. Based on the development of the textile industry in the Sui Dynasty, and progress achieved in reeling and dyeing, the variety, quality and quantity of textile materials…

Since its excavation in 1986, the Sanxingdui archaeological site has been a subject of ongoing debate and fascination, particularly regarding the nature of its pits—whether they served as sacrificial pits or for ceremonial objects. Recent excavations in 2021 further deepen our understanding, yet the full story of Sanxingdui's flourishing era remains shrouded in mystery. Despite these enigmas, interest in the Sanxingdui excavations has not waned. At the Shanghai Museum, the "Star over China: Sanxingdui and Jinsha Ancient Shu Civilization (星耀中国:三星堆·金沙古蜀文明展)" held since February 2, 2023, has allowed visitors to explore a wide array of artifacts, including those from the newly discovered pits. The exhibition, curated by Hu Jialin, a research curator at the Shanghai Museum, features 363 artifacts, with 59 from Pits 1 and 2 and 151 from the newly excavated Pits 4 to 9. The "Exploring Ancient Shu Civilization: Sanxingdui and Jinsha" opened at Beijing's Grand Canal Museum on June 27th, the exquisite bronzes unearthed in two excavations spanning nearly forty years continue to captivate enthusiasts eager to delve into the mysterious ancient Shu civilization. The ongoing exhibitions at the Beijing and Shanghai museums have further amplified public interest in the Sanxingdui civilization. The display of these newly excavated…

The Chinese documentary "Wen Mai Chun Qiu" which premiered on November 23rd, is a treasure trove documentary that chronicles the history and culture of famous historical cities. For the first time, it takes the backdrop of the geographical changes in the five thousand years of Chinese history, focusing on "historical and cultural famous cities." Through the combination of virtual digital technology and real-world visuals, it showcases the historical changes and cultural landscapes of ancient cities from different perspectives, while also exploring the culture and civilization of ancient cities, and even China as a whole. This documentary selects historical and cultural famous cities from different regions and ethnic groups in the East, West, South, North, and Central regions of China. By examining the evolution of the terrain and historical maps of cities during different periods, it explores the characteristics of city site selection, urban planning, street design, and housing. It showcases the wisdom of adapting to local conditions and the ideal of harmonizing human habitation with nature, as well as the design philosophy of unity between heaven and man displayed by the Chinese people throughout history. Currently, the Langzhong section and Shaoxing section have been presented to the audience. It can…

In recent years, Hanfu has received more and more attention. More and more Hanfu cultural festivals are being held in different cities in China, and worldwide, and thousands of Hanfu enthusiasts are participating in them. The Beauty of Hanfu Is in the Heritage So why is Hanfu so popular? In today's society, people have higher and higher requirements for aesthetics, and the special classical beauty of Hanfu attracts countless people to love it, and then to pay attention to it and understand it. So it is no wonder that Hanfu is so popular. And the beauty of Hanfu is not just on the surface, but in the thousands of years of traditional etiquette and civilization of the Chinese nation that it carries. Today we bring you some of the Hanfu collections from "Yi Guan Da Cheng-Ming Dynasty Costume Culture Exhibition", these collections come from the Shandong Museum and Confucius Museum, most of them are Ming Dynasty clothing, which is not only beautifully made and complete sets, but also very significant for costume research. I hope you can also learn something from these collections. Detailed video about "Yi Guan Da Cheng-Ming Dynasty Costume Culture Exhibition":  Based on the previous dynasty,…

The caves with undulating heights and depths are truly spectacular; the exquisitely crafted statues are vivid and lifelike; the colorful and dazzling murals. For a thousand years, time has silently passed over this desert, proclaiming to the world the former prosperity and bustle of this place. Among them, murals are the most widespread and deeply ingrained art in Dunhuang. Dunhuang, known as the "Great Gallery in the Desert," has 735 caves, more than 2,400 colored sculptures, and over 45,000 square meters of murals. These precious works of human civilization include portraits of Buddha, stories of Buddha's life, myths and legends, Buddhist historical events, and Buddhist scriptures. Despite enduring wind and frost, these brightly colored murals still radiate their brilliance. To appreciate the beauty of Dunhuang, one must learn to understand the rich world within the murals. The following introductory guide to Dunhuang murals from "Art Culture China" will present the most beautiful side of Dunhuang to you.   In the Dunhuang murals, there is a group of people who believe in Buddhism and funded the excavation of the caves. They not only funded the painting of Buddhist themes but also depicted their own popular ideas and life portraits in the…

We're talking ancient China here, the real deal of human civilization. This isn't just about learning who did what in some dusty past. It’s about diving into a saga so epic, it makes Game of Thrones look like child's play. Ancient China isn’t just another chapter in a textbook; it’s the bedrock of modern civilization. We’re talking about the birthplace of everything from gunpowder to paper money. This is where strategy was born, where Sun Tzu wrote ‘The Art of War’ – a book that business moguls are still geeking over. Each dynasty, from the Shang to the Qing, is a piece of a massive jigsaw puzzle. You’re connecting the dots, finding out how ancient decisions shaped modern life. Think of it as detective work, but instead of a crime, you’re solving the riddles of time. By the end of this wild ride, you’re not just loaded with facts; you’ve got wisdom. You’ll see patterns in politics, in culture, in human nature that echo even today. The Student's Perspective This student, let’s call them the Time Traveler, they’re not signing up for a snooze fest. They’re expecting Indiana Jones meets Confucius. They want to unearth secrets, to crack open the…

China is an ancient civilization with a history of more than 5,000 years. There are many kinds of handicrafts, and they are all dazzling. Chinese traditional handicraft, each of them is a treasure of Chinese culture, and these handicrafts are worth inheriting and protecting.   1 Tuanshan Tuanshan (团扇), also known as Gongshan (宫扇) and Wanshan (纨扇), is traditional handwork and art of the Han nationality in China. It is a round fan with a handle, which represents a friendly and auspicious reunion. Fans have long circles, plum blossoms, hexagonal and other shapes; and making with silk, thin silk and so on; the craftsmanship includes Suzhou embroidery, Kesi, gold and silver inlays, and so on; the fan handle has wood, bamboo, bones, and so on. A Tuanshan contains too much learning.   2 Cheongsam The cheongsam (旗袍) is one of the traditional women's clothing that can represent Chinese characteristics. The cheongsam was formed in the 1920s, and some scholars believe that its origin can be traced back to the Shenyi of the pre-Qin and Han dynasties. Although its definition and timing are still controversial, it is still one of the most gorgeous phenomena and forms in China's long-standing clothing culture.…

Decorative patterns are the wisdom creation of mankind into civilized society. In order to perfect oneself and beautify one's life, human beings need not only the satisfaction of material life, but also the communication of spiritual life. Decorative patterns, through the beautification of practical objects of clothing, food, housing and transportation, make aesthetic ideals reflected in the practical life and play a subtle role, thus further promoting the improvement and development of human civilization. -- Chinese Decorative Patterns Through the Ages Today, let's follow the Modern Hanfu and learn about the history and modern application of the classic Tang Dynasty patterns.   History of Traditional Patterns As early as the Neolithic era, patterns appeared, and the ancestors painted their inner desires and aesthetic interests into various patterns, which were entrusted with good luck and good wishes, and incorporated them into their lives. These patterns can be found on pottery and stone carvings, and probably on costumes as well, but unfortunately we do not have many costume artifacts yet. The culture of costume is closely related to the development of society, as early as before the Han Dynasty, dyed fabrics have been printed (with) traditional Chinese patterns, with the opening and…

After a hiatus of three and a half years, "National Treasure" Season 4 is finally back. This season continues its collaboration with the Palace Museum, along with the debut of eight new cultural and historical institutions from provinces, municipalities, and special administrative regions, painting a magnificent historical panorama of China's enduring civilization. The Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, the Fujian Museum, the Jilin Museum, the Tianjin Museum, the Anhui Museum, the Jiangxi Museum, the Qinghai Museum, and the Palace Museum are all part of this grand endeavor. 1 - Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department Highlights: This is not just a museum; it represents a group of distinctive museums. Among them are larger-scale institutions such as the Hong Kong History Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Culture, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, as well as smaller yet exquisite ones like the Tea Utensils Museum and the Sam Tung Uk Museum. They document Hong Kong's transition from a small fishing village to a modern metropolis, preserving its cultural fabric and historical heritage. 2 - Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum Highlights: The Three Gorges Museum is not solely about the Three Gorges;…