This document provides an introduction to ancient Chinese philosophy by summarizing the major dynasties in Chinese history, the six classics of ancient Chinese literature, and concepts in Chinese language. It outlines the dynasties from Xia to Qing, describes each of the six classics including excerpts, and discusses the Chinese language and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis on how language shapes thought.

1. Introduction to
Ancient Chinese
Philosophy
Ins. Andres Sebastian F. Narra

2. Chinese History: Dynasties
1. Xia (2205 - 1766 BCE)
2. Shang (1766 - 1123 BCE)
3. Chou (1123 - 256 BCE)
4. Chin (256 - 206 BCE)
5. Han (206 BCE - 220 BC)
 Dark Ages of China

3. Chinese History: Dynasties
6. Sui (590 - 617 CE)
7. Tang (618 - 906 CE)
8. Sung (906 - 1207)
9. Yuan (1270 - 1367)
10. Ming (1367 - 1643)
11. Ching (1644 - 1911)

4. Chinese History: Contemporary Era
 1912 – The establishment of the Republic of
China.
 1948 – Mao Tse Tung won the war against Chiang
Kai Shek

5. The Literature of Kings
(The Six Classics)

6. The Six Classics
 Shu Jing – The Record of Documents
 Shi Jing – The Book of Songs
 Li Jing – The Book of Rituals
 Chun Ch’iu – Spring and Autumn Annals
 I Jing – The Book of Changes
 Yue Jing (Forgotten Book)

7. The Six Classics: Shu Jing
 Also known as the Book of History
 Contains letters, documents, and declarations
 First used of the concept T’ien

8. The Six Classics: Shi Jing
 Also known as the Book of Odes and Book of
Poetry
 Feng – Ballads
 Ya – Ceremonial Songs
 Sung – Sacrificial Odes
 Said to contain 3,000 poems. Kong Zi included
only 305.

9. 119
His first of lamb’s wool so glossy!
Truly he is steadfast ad tough.
That great gentleman
Would give his life rather than fail his lord.
His first of lamb’s wool, facing of leopard’s fur!
He is very martial and strong.
That great gentleman
Is the upholder of right in his land.
His first of lamb’s wool so splendid,
His three festoons so gay!
That great gentleman
Is the first in all our land.
The Six Classics: Excerpts from the
Shi Jing

10. 205
Blind men, blind men
In the courtyard of Chou,
We have set up the cross-board, the stand,
With the upright hooks, the standing plumes.
The little and big drums are hung for beating;
The tambourines and stone-chimes, the staff and clapper.
All is ready, and they play.
Pan-Pipes and flute are ready and begin.
Sweetly blend the tones,
Solemn the melody of their bird-music.
The ancestors are listening;
As our guests have come,
To gaze upon their victories
The Six Classics: Excerpts from the
Shi Jing

11. The Six Classics: Li Jing
 Contains three titles in the Classics: I Li, Zhou Li, and
Li Ji
 I Li – Depicts the practices of aristocrats and gentlemen.
 Zhou Li – Contains detailed explanation of the
government structure and the bureaucratic system.
 Li Ji – Depicts the ancient rites and shows how these
affect political roles.

12. Li Jing: Chun Xi (除夕)
年
“nián”

13. Li Jing: Ben Ming Nian(本命年)

14. The Six Classics: Chun Ch’iu
 Chronicles the events from 722 to 481 BCE.
 Written by Kong Zi (according to Meng Zi and
Sima Qin)
 The unofficial but authorative commentary was
written by Tso Chuan

15. (Year IX) Ch’en put to death its great officer Hsieh Yeh (Book 7)
(Year X) On Kuei-chi, I Hang-fu of Ch’en murdered his ruler, P’ing
Kuo (Book 7)
(Year XI) In winter, in the tenth month the people of Ch’u put to death
Hsia Cheng-Shu of Ch’en (Book 7)
(Year XXV) In summer, in the fifth month, on I-hai, Ts’ui of Ch’i
murdered his ruler Kuan (Book 9)
The Six Classics: Excerpts from
Chun Ch’iu

16. The Six Classics: I Jing
 Also known as the Book of Changes and the Book of
Mutations
 Said to have been devised by the legendary Chinese
sage Fu Shi (2852 BCE)
 Used for Oracular Consultation:
 Astrological
 Calendrical
 Dream Interpretation
 Numerological

17. I Jing: Yin-Yang (銀洋 )
• Yin – Negative
• Dark
• Earthly
• Feminine
• Passive
• Yang – Positive
• Light
• Heavenly
• Masculine
• Active

18. I Jing: Pa Kua (八卦)
• ____ ____
• Yin-Yao
• Yielding
• __________
• Yang-Yao
• Unyielding

21. The Six Classics: Yue Jing
 Lost during the burning of books as conducted by
the Qin Emperor Hsi Huangdi
 Used to accompany the court rituals indicated in
the Li Jing

22. Chinese Language and the
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

23. 夫夭yāo
“man”
fū
“man”
人rén
“man”
 Human Person
 Individual
 Body
 Energetic /
Active Man
 Young Man
 Youth
 Man
 Husband
 Mature Person

24. 施氏食狮史
Shī Shì shí shī shǐ
“Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den”

25. Calligraphy: Diagrams to Characters

26. +
+
=
=
lín
“Forest”
sēn
“Dense Forest”
木 木
木
林
林 森
mù
“Tree”
mù
“Tree”
mù
“Tree”
lín
“Forest”

27. 月
日 旦
日
=
=
+
rì
“Sun”
dàn
“Dawn”
yuè
“Moon”
míng
“Bright”
rì
“Sun”
東
=
+ 日rì
“Sun”
木mù
“Tree”
dōng
“East”
明

28. 宀 女 安
+
=
kǒu
“Mouth”
nǚ
“Woman”
ān
“Peace / Calm”
耳 王 口+
+
= 聖ěr
“Ear”
wáng
“King”
mián
“Roof”
shèng
“Sacred”

29. 結束Jiéshù