Chinese_Number_Culture_演示文稿

中国的数字文化英语作文Chinese Numerical Culture。

Chinese culture has a rich history and is filled with unique traditions and customs. One of the most fascinating aspects of Chinese culture is its numerical symbolism. Numbers hold great significance in Chinese culture and are often associated with specific meanings and beliefs. Inthis essay, we will explore the rich and diverse world of Chinese numerical culture.In Chinese culture, certain numbers are considered lucky while others are considered unlucky. The number 8,for example, is widely regarded as the luckiest number in Chinese culture. This is because the pronunciation of the number 8 in Chinese sounds similar to the word for "wealth" or "prosper". As a result, the number 8 is often associated with good fortune and financial success. In fact, the Chinese believe that the more 8s in a phone number, license plate, or address, the luckier it is.On the other hand, the number 4 is considered extremely unlucky in Chinese culture. This is because the pronunciation of the number 4 in Chinese is similar to the word for "death". As a result, the number 4 is often associated with bad luck and is to be avoided whenever possible. In many Chinese buildings, the fourth floor is skipped and labeled as the "3A" floor instead.In addition to lucky and unlucky numbers, certain numbers are also considered to have special significance in Chinese culture. For example, the number 9 is associated with longevity and eternity, while the number 3 is associated with vitality and creativity. These numbers are often used in traditional Chinese medicine and feng shui practices to promote health and well-being.Numerical symbolism is also important in Chinese celebrations and traditions. During the Chinese New Year,it is customary to give gifts of money in red envelopes. The amount of money given is often a multiple of 8, as this is considered to bring good luck and prosperity to therecipient. Additionally, the number of dishes served during a traditional Chinese meal is also carefully chosen tobring good fortune to the diners.In Chinese literature and art, numbers are often used symbolically to convey deeper meanings. For example, the number 5 is often used to represent the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) in traditional Chinese philosophy. Similarly, the number 9 is often used to represent the nine levels of heaven in Chinese mythology.Overall, Chinese numerical culture is a fascinating and complex aspect of Chinese tradition. From lucky and unlucky numbers to the symbolic meanings of specific numbers, numerology plays a significant role in Chinese society. By understanding the significance of numbers in Chinese culture, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the rich and diverse traditions of this ancient civilization.。

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AN INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE CULTUREContentsForewordPart 1: The Origins of Chinese Civilization1. Early Civilization2. Jade Culture3. Bronze CulturePart 2: Writing and Language1. Chinese Characters2. Chinese DialectsPart 3: Chinese Philosophy1. Confucianism2. Daoism3. Chinese Buddhism4. Historical ScholarshipPart 4. Literature1. Poetry2. Essay Writing3. The NovelPart 5. Art1. Calligraphy2. Painting3. Sculpture4. Architecture5. Music6. Dance7. Drama8. Crafts●Ceramics●Silk Textiles●Lacquerware9. Folk Art● Acrobatics● Miscellaneous Arts and CraftsPart 6. Cultural Exchange1. Cultural Exchange in Ancient China2. Cultural Exchange in Modern ChinaAfterwordForewordIn eastern Asia lies a vast land, 9.6 million square kilometers in area, that stretches from the heights of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in the west, to the boundless Pacific Ocean in the east. This is China, the cradle of Chinese civilization and home to fifty-six different ethnic groups.Chinese culture embodies the philosophy of holism. Ancient Chinese philosophers believed that all things are interrelated, and that Heaven, Earth, and Humanity form a unified whole.This holistic philosophy influences every aspect of Chinese language, literature, and art, as well as the daily lives and habits of the Chinese people. Chinese culture upholds the central position of human beings within the unity of Heaven and Earth. It emphasizes personal ethics and self-cultivation, and the pursuit of moral perfection. Advocating moderation, it seeks balance and harmony in all things.Two-part jade bi disk with carved chihu (dragon-tiger),Warring States Period (475-221 BC)(The chihu is a type of dragon with the head of a tiger. Chi (the dragon) represents yin, or Earth, and hu (the tiger) represents yang, or Heaven. The chihu, or dragon-tiger, therefore represents the union of Heaven and Earth and the balance between yin and yang.)Part 1: The Origins of Chinese CivilizationAccording to Chinese legend, a giant named Pangu used a great axe to split Primordial Chaos and create Heaven and Earth. A goddess named Nüwa then created animals and human beings over the course of six days. Nüwa became responsible for human procreation, and her elder brother, Fuxi, became responsible for agriculture, hunting, and shelter.Legend has it that four to five thousand years ago, a tribal leader known as the Yellow Emperor battled for many years to defeat many other tribes. In the end, he assimilated the tribe of Yan Di and established the Huaxia, or Han Chinese people. For thisreason, Han Chinese people all over the world refer to themselves as the "descendents of Yan Di and the Yellow Emperor."Nüwa and Fuxi, Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)1. Early CivilizationWhen humanity's ancestors started to fashion tools out of stone, the curtain slowly rose on human civilization.China's Stone Age lasted for at least one million years. The Chinese ancestors started to make pottery during the late Neolithic Period, around 5000 BC. This period is represented by Yangshao Culture, on the middle reaches of the Yellow River, and Hemudu Culture, on the lower reaches of the Changjiang River. Yangshao Culture flourished from approximately 5000 to 3000 BC. Its exquisite painted pottery represents the height of early Chinese ceramic art. A variety of beautifully painted vessels have been excavated, typically decorated with figures of fish. Various explanations have been given as to the meaning of these unique decorations. Some scholars believe that they represented totemic deities, others think they were prayers for abundant harvest, while still others say that they were good luck charms to invoke fruitful procreation.Painted pottery vessel with human faces and fish,Yangshao Culture (c. 5000-3000 BC)Carbonized traces of large amounts of rice have been excavated from the ruins of a 7000 year-old Hemudu Culture site. This is a sign of the abundant harvests and affluence enjoyed by these early Chinese ancestors. The Hemudu people also invented mortise and tenon joinery, which they used to construct China's earliest wooden post and beam buildings. These characteristic interlocking joints are used to connect two pieces of lumber. They consist of a protrusion (the tenon) on one piece, which fits into a corresponding slot (the mortise) on another. This technique is still used in China today to construct wooden buildings and furniture.2. Jade CultureThe late Neolithic Age saw the advent of China's unique "jade culture."The Chinese people have always considered jade to be foremost among the infinite treasures that Nature has bestowed upon humanity. During the Neolithic Age, stone working gradually gave rise to the production of jade articles. Jade was first used to make ornaments, and later for ritual objects used in sacrificial ceremonies.Jade cong with carved animal face, Liangzhu Culture (c. 3300-2200 BC) The dragon is the totem of the Chinese ancestors. The early Chinese people had no rational explanations for many natural phenomena. As a result, they imagined that there must be some supernatural animal that controlled all other animals, as well as celestial phenomena, in the same way that there must be a leader for every clan. They combined characteristics of various animals to create the dragon: the head of a camel, body of a snake, horns of a stag, eyes of a tortoise, scales of a fish, paws of a tiger, claws of an eagle, and ears of a cow. This combination of features indicated the dragon's status an omnipotent deity and chief of all the animals. Many exquisitely carved jade dragons have been excavated from Neolithic sites. Among them is a jade dragon discovered in 1971. It is 26 cm tall, and carved out of a single piece of dark green jade. The head, carved in bas-relief, resembles the head of a pig, while the body is curved into the shape of a "C." The entire piece is highly polished to a smooth and lustrous finish. Because it is the earliest example of a Chinese jade dragon found to date, it is referred to as "China's first jade dragon."Jade dragon, Hongshan Culture (c. 3500 BC)During the 6th century BC, the Confucian school of philosophy held that ritual jade objects were symbolic of human nature. Their soft luster represented serenity, while their flawless clarity represented refinement of character. As Confucianism developed, ritual jade objects were appropriated by the nobility as emblems of rank and status. Even more importantly, they came to be seen as symbols of evolved character and moral perfection.3. Bronze CultureChina's Bronze Culture reached its peak in the 16th century BC and flourished for 1000 years. Bronze was used primarily to craft ritual objects and musical instruments, rather than the agricultural tools and weapons characteristic of other Bronze Age cultures. Many cast bronze objects bearing accounts of sacrificial rites and historical incidents were made during this time, providing important records of the period.Bronze Simuwu ding (cooking vessel), Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC)Bronze rhinoceros zun (wine vessel) with inlaid gold and silver cloud design,Western Han (202 BC-9 AD)Legend has it that the Ancient Kingdom of Shu existed in the Sichuan Basin during the Shang-Zhou period.Although historical records provide no definite dates for this ancient kingdom, its existence was confirmed by the discovery of the Sanxingdui archeological site in Guanghan, Sichuan. The Sanxingdui site is located in Guanghan, Sichuan Province, in Nanxing Township. The surrounding terrain consists of three loess promontories rising out of the Chengdu plain. The name Sanxingdui literally means "three promontories." Most of the artifacts unearthed at Sanxingdui are bronze objects that are approximately 5000 years old. They include a 262 centimeters tall standing human figure, a bronze mask that is 65 centimeters tall, and bronze human figures. Interestingly, these figures have characteristically Western features, with high noses and large eyes, quite unlike the features that were common in Central China at the time. A sacred bronze tree with nine mythical birds and one dragon perched in its branches stands 395 centimeters tall. It is the tallest single ancient bronze artifact in existence.These human and animal figures are quite atypical of Central China's Bronze Culture. No written records could be found on these bronze objects, so the origins of Sanxingdui culture remains a mystery. The disappearance of the Ancient Kingdom of Shu also remains unexplained. The excavation of numerous ritual objects, as well as golden staffs inscribed with indecipherable symbols, only adds to the riddle of Sanxingdui civilization.Bronze standing figure from Sanxingdui, Ancient Kingdom of Shu,Xia-Shang-Zhou period (c. 2070-256 BC)Part 2: Writing and LanguageChinese characters are China's principal form of writing. The history of Chinese characters spans over 3000 years, making them one of the world's oldest forms of written communication. Qin Shihuang, China's first emperor, standardized Chinese characters in 221 BC. China's ethnic minorities also have a number of unique writing systems.Spoken Chinese has many different dialects and pronunciations. In 1955, the Chinese government established Mandarin Chinese as the standard pronunciation.1. Chinese CharactersChinese characters are written within a square framework, so they are sometimes referred to in Chinese as "square writing." The earliest form of the Chinese character for “sun” was a circle with a black dot in the middle, representing the sun in the sky. The modern character for “net” still resembles interwoven strands of rope. The characters for “fish” and “horse” started out as pictographic representations, and gradually evolved into today's simplified characters. This type of pictographic writing, which uses symbols to directly represent objects, was the basis for Chinese characters.Evolution of the character "日" (ri, sun)Evolution of the characters “鱼”(yu, fish) and“马”(ma, horse)The evolution of Chinese characters and calligraphy provides insight into the development of human society. The earliest form of Chinese characters was oracle bone script, which was carved into tortoise shells and animal bones. This was followed by metal script, which was cast or engraved on bronze vessels. Next came seal script and official script, which were written on bamboo slips, wood, and silk. Later developments included regular script, semi-cursive, and cursive script, which were written on paper. Most recently, new computer coding systems for Chinese characters have ushered Chinese writing into the Information Age.Fragments of oracle bone script, Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC)Bronze tallies of Lord Qi of E, Warring States Period (475-221 BC)(The bronze tallies of Lord Qi date from the State of Chu, during China's Warring States Period. They are made of bronze and shaped like sections of bamboo. The tallies were given to Lord Qi, ruler of the city of E in today's Hubei Province, by King Huai of Chu (reigned 328-299 BC). They gave the holder permission to travel by land and water routes. The inscriptions on the tallies are China's oldest existing written records concerning safety regulations for water transportation.)2. Chinese DialectsChina is a vast land with a huge population. Different regions have their own dialects and pronunciations.There are seven main dialects in China, each of which provides the foundation for its local culture. The northern dialect, characterized by Beijing Mandarin Chinese, has the largest range of any of China's language groups. It accounts for three-quarters of the country's spoken Chinese, and is used by over 70% of Han Chinese people. In 1955, the Chinese government officially established Mandarin Chinese as "the modern common language of the Han Chinese people, utilizing Beijing pronunciation as its standard, based on the northern Chinese dialect, and employing the grammar of modern vernacular written Chinese." Standard Mandarin Chinese has become the fundamental means of communication among the Chinese people.Part 3: Chinese PhilosophyGreat differences exist between traditional Chinese and Western thought. Traditional Chinese philosophy puts great importance on personal ethics and morality, holding that only a person of superior character can achieve domestic harmony and national progress.The 6th through 3rd centuries BC saw the flourishing of traditional Chinese philosophy. Numerous schools of thought advanced their ideas during this time. Among them, Confucianism and Daoism had the greatest influence on the development of Chinese culture.1. ConfucianismConfucianism emerged between the 6th through 5th century BC. Its founder, Confucius, expanded upon ancient Chinese concepts of humanism. He emphasized the value of the individual, the cultivation of personal ethics, and the importance of moral character. The concepts of benevolence (ren) and propriety (li) were the central tenants of Confuciansim, and became the foundation of mainstream Chinese culture.Confucius believed that benevolence (ren) may be expressed in four ways. First, it is embodied in human beings, not in supernatural deities. Second, it should mediate and harmonize personal and social relationships. Third, it should be the highest moral standard of the individual. Fourth, people who possess benevolence feel love for all of humanity. This spirit of benevolent humanism had a profound influence on the development of Chinese culture. It is the foundation that underlies the qualities of moderation, courtesy, and respect for others that so deeply characterize the Chinese people.If the concept of benevolence(ren) manifests in the individual, then propriety (li) is a function of society. The Confucian concept of propriety holds that when the populace conforms to social order and morality, then personal, social, and political relationships will approach ideal harmony.Portrait of Confucius (551-479 BC)2. DaoismDaoism emerged between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC. The Daoist philosophers Laozi and Zhuangzi taught that by withdrawing from the world, people could avoid the chaos of society and achieve inner peace. Daoism holds that it is possible to apply reason to transcend emotion and achieve spiritual freedom. This viewpoint was later echoed by the Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza.Daoist philosophy teaches that although all things exist in a state of transformation, they also possess an underlying order. This constantly changing, self-balancing order is known as the Dao, or the Way. Understanding the Dao enables one to live with grace, regardless of the vicissitudes of Nature or society, because change is to be expected.The Daoist concept of constant transformation deeply informed the political life of ancient China. The proponents of Daoism believed that although a country's rulers may wield ultimate political power, they cannot improve the people's lives or control the fate of the nation. Laozi therefore advocated a laissez-faire approach to government that did not interfere with personal freedom, and allowed the populace to develop naturally. Laozi's policies were implemented in the 2nd century BC during the Han Dynasty, resulting in peace and prosperity for the Chinese people and the nation.Stone carving of Laozi, Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC)3. Chinese BuddhismBuddhism was brought to China from India during the last years of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-9 AD). As it was gradually assimilated by Chinese culture,a new form of uniquely Chinese Buddhism arose. The difference between Chinese and Indian Buddhism is as great as that between Catholicism and Protestantism.Indian Buddhism advocates strict asceticism. Practitioners often retreat to caves to undertake prolonged solitary mediation on the Buddhist scriptures.Even though this form of arduous self-cultivation gained quite a few adherents in China, it was so removed from daily life that not many people really understood its doctrines.During the 7th century AD, a Chinese Buddhist monk named Hui Neng transformed this situation. Hui Neng originated the school of Buddhism known in China as Chan, and in the West as Zen Buddhism. Zen is the most representative school of Chinese Buddhism. The term chan is a homonym of the Sanskrit word dhyana, which means deep contemplation. This new form of Buddhism cast off the restrictions of doctrine, encouraging free thinking and debate by its adherents. It held that anyone, whether emperor or farmer, could achieve enlightenment through labor and daily life. The Zen process of self-cultivation has been described as "searching for the camel upon which one is riding." That is, one must first transcend the material plane in order to discoverits true nature. Although Chinese Buddhism continued to emphasize the importance of the Buddhist scriptures, it gradually combined with native Chinese Confucian and Daoist thought, and eventually became completely integrated with Chinese culture.Baima Temple, Luoyang, Henan Province (construction started 1st century AD) 4. Historical ScholarshipHistory provides the coordinates of culture. Only by understanding China's tradition of historical scholarship can the larger picture of Chinese culture be brought into focus.As early as the 10th century BC, the Western Zhou Dynasty instituted the position of official historian. Great importance was placed on the keeping of historical records. Most early Chinese histories were chronological collections of political and historical essays or records of major historical events. The Spring and Autumn Annals, compiled by Confucius, was China's first such chronological history. During the 2nd century BC, the Western Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian compiled The Historical Records. This work established biographies as the standard form for recording history. Biographic histories focused on dynastic personages, rather than events, and took a comprehensive view of history. A total of twenty-five biographic histories were produced, known collectively as The Twenty-five Histories.During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD), historian Sima Guang and his assistants labored for nineteen years to compile a comprehensive history of China. This record, The Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government, was written in the chronological style and spanned 1362 years. The Comprehensive Mirror both compiled and analyzed copious historical material. It provided government officials with an overview of Chinese history, as well as an opportunity to learn from the lessons of the past. This work embodies the importance of historical scholarship to Chinese culture.Part 4. LiteratureThe classical literature of the West is often colored by religious concerns. Classical Chinese literature, on the other hand, is deeply concerned with human relationships, the affairs of society, and everyday life.1. PoetryIn order to understand Western literature, it is necessary to read its ancient epics and dramatic works. To understand Chinese literature, one must turn to its poetry.Poetry is the most representative genre of classical Chinese literature. It exemplifies the lyricism of the Chinese literary tradition.China's earliest collections of poetry were The Book of Songs (Shi Jing), and Poetry of the South (Chu Ci).The Book of Songs was compiled between the 8th and 5th centuries BC. One section describes the work, life, and loves of the common people. Another section records the rites and ceremonies of the nobility. During the Warring States Period, the poet Qu Yuan (340-278 BC) created a new form of deeply personal verse called "poetry of the south." The Lament (Li Sao), Qu Yuan's most famous work, established the lyric school of Chinese poetry.Later ages saw the emergence of the romantic and realist schools of Chinese poetry. This development reached its peak during the 8th century Tang Dynasty, exemplified by the poets Li Bai and Du Fu. The poetry of this period was highly structured.After the 10th century AD, a new poetic genre emerged. Consisting of both long and short lines, it was freer than previous forms. Story-song(shuochang) was a popular form of folk entertainment. After the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD), it gave rise to a new form of poetry known as qu, verse that was sung. Today's free verse is written in the vernacular. It has no set format and encompasses numerous styles, while still preserving the lyricism of classical Chinese poetry.Portrait of Li Bai (701-762 AD)2. Essay WritingConfucius (551－479 BC) held that essay writing was the ideal way to disseminate ethics and ideology.The language of China's pre-Qin Dynasty classical essays may be somewhat difficult for modern readers to decipher. But the ideas they express are quite profound. Understanding this style of writing is as important to Chinese essayists as Latin is to modern Western philosophers. By the time of the Southern Dynasty in the 5th to 6th century AD, essay writing had become increasingly removed from real life. It adhered to a rigid format fraught with literary embellishments, extensive quotations, and vague generalities. Around the middle of the Tang Dynasty in the 8th century, a movement arose to reform essay writing. Writers rejected the restrictions of the traditional form while retaining the best aspects of classical essay writing, creating a style suitable for reflecting real life. Han Yu (768-824 AD) of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and Ouyang Xiu (1007-1072 AD) of the Song Dynasty (960-1276AD) were the most prominent essayists of the time.Detail of Nymph of the Luo River (Luoshen Futu), by Gu Kaizhi (348-409 AD) Nymph of the Luo River (Luoshen Futu), by Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420 AD) artist Gu Kaizhi (345-406 AD), was inspired by the essay of the same name by the poet Cao Zhi (192-232 AD). In his essay, Cao Zhi describes a dream in which he meets and falls in love with the nymph of theLuo River, but loses her in the end.Although contemporary Chinese essayists no longer use classical literary forms and language, much of the vocabulary and technique of classical essay writing has been retained. The elegance of this form can still be enjoyed in the work of modern writers.3. The NovelThe Chinese novel draws its material from the lives of the people. It was from the people that the Chinese novel emerged, to eventually become one of China's most important literary forms.From the 14th century to the early 20th century, Yuan-Ming-Qing period saw the flourishing of the Chinese novel. Representative works of the period include Romanceof the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi), Outlaws of the Marsh (Shuihu Zhuan), Journey to the West (Xiyou Ji), and Dream of the Red Chamber (Honglou Meng). These novels are collectively known as the Four Masterpieces of classical Chinese literature.Romance of the Three Kingdoms describes the political upheaval and military struggles of the Three Kingdoms period. Outlaws of the Marsh tells the story of a 12th century peasant uprising. Journey to the West recounts the legendary journey of the eminent Tang Dynasty monk Xuan Zang (c.600-664 AD) to India to bring the Buddhist scriptures back to China.Dream of the Red Chamber, by Cao Xueqin (1715-1763 AD), is primarily a love story about its protagonists, Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu. Written against the backdrop of the rise and fall of four families, it offers a vivid description of society and daily life during this period. Today, numerous scholars and groups are devoted to studying the politics, literature, religion, economics, and cultural mores depicted in this novel.Block print from Honglou Meng (Dream of the Red Chamber),Qing Dynasty (1636-1911 AD)After 1919, Chinese authors started to use modern, rather than classical, language in their writing. This marked the start of a dialogue between the modern Chinese novel and world literature, and gave rise to a number of new genres. These new styles initiated the integration of the traditional Chinese novel and world literary trends.Part 5. ArtThe art of ancient Egypt, India, and Babylon has receded into the mists of the past. That of China, on the other hand, has developed without interruption for thousands of years. Chinese art is richly diverse and highly comprehensive, encompassing many forms and styles. Chinese art includes calligraphy, painting, sculpture, architecture, music, dance, drama, film, crafts and folk art.1. CalligraphyIn China, a person who can produce beautiful calligraphy is considered to be highly cultured.Traditional Chinese calligraphy uses brushes made from animal hair to apply ink to paper, producing uniquely graceful brushstrokes.The earliest Chinese calligraphy was extremely controlled and formal, much like the strict rites and ceremonies that defined the society of the time. Seal script (zhuanshu), came into use during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC). It used heavy, intricate brush strokes, while also prizing a balanced and harmonious structure. Official script (lishu), introduced during the Qin-Han period (221 BC-220 AD), had a more relaxed style and used variable brush strokes. This development offered calligraphers more creative latitude, and diverse new styles of calligraphy started to appear.Wang Xizhi (303-361 AD), known as the Sage of Calligraphy, was a master calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. His calligraphy, with its concise structure and refined brushwork, was famous for its elegance and scholarly quality. It is said that Wang Xizhi once wrote a passage on a wooden board for an engraver to carve. The ink permeated the wood to a depth of one centimeter. As a result, the phrase "one centimeter into the wood" came to describe elegant calligraphy, and later became a metaphor for profound ideas or penetrating views.Wang Xizhi's work Preface to the Orchid Pavilion (Lanting Xu), written in expressive cursive script(xingshu), is considered to be the epitome of classical Chinese calligraphy. In 353 AD, on the third day of the third lunar month, Wang Xizhi and some friends visited the Lanting Orchid Pavilion in Shaoxing. The friends drank wine and wrote improvised poems, which they compiled into a book. Wang Xizhi's famous Preface to the Orchid Pavilion, which he wrote on the spot, became known as the "greatest cursive calligraphy under Heaven." Many romantic stories have been passed down about this work, further embellishing its reputation. It is said that the original calligraphy was buried in the tomb of Emperor Tang Taizong (reigned 626-649 AD). Today, all that remains of Wang Xizhi's masterpiece are reproductions of the original created by calligraphers through the ages. The most famous, by Tang Dynasty calligrapher Feng Chengsu, is in the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing.Copy of Preface to the Orchid Pavilion (Lanting Xu), by Feng Chengsu,c. Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)Original by Wang Xizhi (303-361 AD)。