Chinese culture, spanning approximately 9.6 million square kilometers and rich in diversity with over 1.3 billion people, is deeply rooted in philosophical concepts emphasizing the interrelationship of humanity, nature, and the cosmos. It showcases a long history of civilization through jade and bronze artifacts, the evolution of the written language, and various forms of art, including calligraphy, painting, and architecture. Central to Chinese philosophy are Confucianism and Daoism, promoting values such as morality, collectivism, and harmony among cultures.

1. 中国文化

2. A vast territory of about 9,600,000 sq.Km. Ranked number 4 in
the world!

3. China is divided into 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities directly

4. Chinese People
A huge population of more than 1300 million people of 56 ethnic

5. 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.
Chinese Culture

6. 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.
Painted pottery vessel with human faces and fish,
Yangshao Culture (c. 5000-3000 BC)
Early Civilization
The Origins of Chinese Civilization

7. The late Neolithic Age saw the advent of China's unique "jade culture."
Jade cong with carved animal face,
Liangzhu Culture (c. 3300-2200 BC)
Jade Culture
The Origins of Chinese Civilization

8. 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.
Jade dragon, Hongshan Culture (c. 3500 BC)

9. China'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 Culture
The Origins of Chinese Civilization

10. Chinese 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.
Writing and Language

11. Chinese characters are written within a square framework, so they are
sometimes referred to in Chinese as "square writing."
Evolution of the character " 日 " (ri, sun)
Evolution of the characters “ 鱼” (yu, fish) and“ 马” (ma, horse)
Chinese Characters
Writing and Language

12. 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 evolution of Chinese characters and calligraphy provides
insight into the development of human society.

13. The 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

14. In 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.
Chinese Art
Calligraphy

16. Traditional Chinese painting uses brushes to apply ink and
pigment to thin silk or paper, which is then mounted on
scrolls. Great importance is placed on fluidity and
expressiveness of line. Chinese painting holds that
revealing essence is more important than representing
form.
Chinese Art
Painting

17. Traditional Chinese painting actually is an integration of painting,
poetry, calligraphy and seal carving.

18. "Sculpture is the forerunner of all art." This
saying truly describes the Chinese sculptural
arts. Jade carvings of people, pottery figurines
of young women, and sculptures and carvings
of animals appeared in China as early as the
Neolithic Age (c. 12,000-2000 BC). As Chinese
civilization flourished, so did Chinese
sculpture.
Chinese Art
Sculpture

19. Terracotta warriors of Qin Shihuang, Pit 2, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC)

20. Buddhist Statue,
Longmen Grottoes
(post-5th century AD)

21. Traditional Chinese architecture emphasizes harmony
between structure and surroundings. Whether palace,
temple, garden, or residence, traditional Chinese
buildings blend with the surrounding landscape into an
integrated whole. Even inside a building, human beings
and nature are not separate,
but rather form a unified whole.
Chinese Art
Architecture

22. Forbidden City, Beijing

23. Jichang Garden, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province

24. 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.
Chinese Philosophy

25. Confucianism 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 ( 仁 ren ) and propriety
( 礼 li ) were the central tenants of Confucianism, and became
the foundation of mainstream Chinese culture.
Chinese Philosophy
Confucianism

26. Portrait of Confucius (551-479 BC)
仁 rén
义 yì
礼 lǐ
智 zhì
Benevolence, to be humanity,
mercy and kindness;
Justness, to be
righteousness ;
Rituals, custom and law, to be
polite;
Wisdom, to be
knowledgeable and well
educated;royalty, faithful ， reliable ，
accountable, responsible,
creditable.

27. 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.
Daoism
Chinese Philosophy

28. Stone carving of Laozi, Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC)
He who knows that
enough is enough will
always have enough
Be tranquility,
calm, indifferent,
loneliness,
How to get into a realm of absolutely individual freedom
or liberty?
No accomplishment (success)
No reputation (fame, prestige)
No self-conscious (ego)

29. Basic values in Chinese culture and Chinese way of thinkinging
Integration of Heaven and Men
Heaven and Men are in a unity
Collectivism
The interests of a family, a group or a country are
more important than those of an individual
Rule of virtue; rule of morals;
“kingly way” vs. “hegemonical way”

30. The Value Priority in Traditional Chinese Culture
The value of morality prior to that of utility;
The value of moral merit prior to that of intelligent;
The value of group prior to that of individuals;
The value of peace and safety prior to that of freedom and
liberty;

31. 和和HéHé ：： meansmeans
“peace” and“peace” and
“harmony”“harmony”
Chinese culture emphasizes harmony. It
respects the differences between cultures
and civilizations, in accordance with the
traditional Chinese philosophy of "seeking
unity in diversity." Chinese culture provides
a unique foundation from which to learn
from other cultures, maximize creativity,
and pursue self-improvement.

32. END
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