We explain what Chinese culture is like, what its language is like and the religions it practices. Also, its characteristics, gastronomy and more.
What is Chinese culture?
Chinese culture is a set of beliefs, customs and artistic expressions that extends over a wide territory and combines elements transmitted by hundreds of generations with the creations of today.
Is one of the oldest cultures in the world and much of the thought and customs founded thousands of years ago are still preserved.
The complexity of this culture is due not only to its antiquity but also to the large territory it represents, which includes a wide variety of traditions and even languages depending on the province or even the town.
Despite encompassing 58 ethnic groups recognized in a single Chinese identitycommon characteristics can be found that point to the same identity.
Chinese languages
Due to the great extension and variety of communities that make it up, in China there are eight linguistic groups within which there are also various dialects.
Chinese official language and, therefore, the most widespread language is a standardized form of Mandarin Chinese. Used by more than 800 million people, it is the language with the largest number of native speakers and total speakers in the world.
Mandarin is a set of dialects They began to be formed in the 6th century, the standardized version was configured at the beginning of the 20th century, to facilitate communication among the population. It is based on the form of Mandarin used in the city of Peking (Beijing).
Chinese religion
religion is one of the main elements of culturesince in many cases it defines not only a form of thought but also includes multiple artistic expressions of ritual purposes.
The main religions of China are:
- Buddhism. Although it originated in India, it quickly spread to East Asia. In addition to being a religion, it is a philosophical doctrine since it does not support belief in a god but in certain practices that lead to a sublime state.
- Confucianism. This religion was the official one in China until the 7th century and consists of moral and religious doctrines based on the teachings of Confucius.
- Chinese traditional religion. It is the polytheistic religion (several gods) influenced by Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoist philosophy.
Taoism
It is the basic philosophical system of Chinese culture. Although it has a religious branch, it is mainly a philosophy that is presented as a “path” (translation of tao). It is based on the writings of philosophers Lao Tzu and Zhuanzi.
The path of Taoism leads to “immortality” which, in this philosophy, is understood as the self improvement of one's own being in harmony with its environment.
The symbol of Taoism is the Yin Yangwhich represents the duality that applies to everything existing in the universe. He yin It is the feminine, the earth, the darkness and the passivity. He Yang It is the masculine, the sky, the light and the activity.
Chinese gastronomy
Gastronomy is a fundamental part of Chinese culture since it is a heritage that continues to be passed on for hundreds of years. In addition, it is closely related to Chinese philosophy and medicine.
All Chinese food must contain fan (cereals, such as rice) and cai (the vegetable and in general everything that accompanies cereals). On the other hand, the resulting dish can be considered yin (feminine) if it is tender and rich in water, like fruits and vegetables; or yang (masculine) if they are fried, spicy and meat-based dishes.
Solid foods are eaten with a pair of chopsticks and soups are eaten with a flat-bottomed spoon, traditionally made of ceramic.
Chinese literature
The history of Chinese literature dates back to the 16th century BC. and covers a wide range of genres, prose and poetry. Already since the 5th century AD there is evidence of works of literary criticism. Furthermore, the texts of philosophers such as Confucius, Laozi or Sunzi had not only intellectual but also aesthetic value.
Among the classic Chinese books are The Book of Mutations, by Yi Jing and The Art of War, by Sun Tzu.
Chinese calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of writing the signs of a language. The complexity and richness of Chinese writing has allowed calligraphy to develop as its own artistic expression that exceeds literature and combines visual beauty with the meaning of the written word.
calligraphy with a brush you write on rice or silk paper. But some of the characters that are currently used had their origin more than three thousand years ago, when the stylized shapes of the brush could not be used but were written using stamps.
Chinese painting
traditional chinese painting emerged as a derivation of calligraphy. That is why it stands out for its detail and uses the same elements: brushes, ink and rice paper.
Regarding its content, Chinese painting usually represents:
- Paintings of flowers and birds
- landscape paintings
- Portraits
- Animals
Chinese sculpture
Unlike writers and painters, ancient Chinese sculptors are unknown currently.
traditional sculpture It mainly served a religious functionthat is why the vast majority represent teachers, deities and heroes.
Chinese clothing
The first traditional Chinese clothing It is called Hanfu and first appeared in the 2nd century BC.. It was a silk tunic that reached to the knee and a narrow skirt that was worn over the tunic and reached to the ankles. It was used by both men and women. It is still used in special celebrations.
Chinese festivals
The customs and artistic forms of a culture can be observed at festivals. In China, it is especially celebrated Spring Festivalwhich marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year (end of January or beginning of February). Two weeks later, the Lantern Festival is celebrated, commemorating Buddha.
Continue with: Chinese Empire
References
- Zimmermann, K. (2022). Chinese culture: customs and traditions of China at https://www.livescience.com/
- chinese culture at https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/
- China at https://www.afsusa.org/
