Chinese

INFLUENCES

HISTORY

This is the only ancient civilization that has continued to this day Because of the succession of emperors and dynasties and warring states.In 1750 BC, a kingdom emerged in the middle reaches of the Yellow River in China which was ruled by Shang Dynasty. It lasted 1000 years but broke up into many smaller kingdoms. In 221 BC, Shi Huangdi of Chin took control and became the first emperor of China. He Ruled the kingdom with armies and officials. 

      

He organized a huge number of laborers to work for him. And also he built the Great Wall of China to repel northern enemies. Shi Huangdi died in 210 BC, Chin dynasty was replaced by Han and western Jin dynasties. Terra-cotta army of 6000 life-size soldiers, horses and chariots was buried with the emperor.

SOCIETY

Foreign trade was carried out by land and sea. Theorists, schools of philosophy Confucius, Lao-Tzu was brought out. Calendar and money was written during this period. Arts, painting, calligraphy, architecture was developed during this time.

RELIGION 

Buddhism was the main religion prevailed during this time.

Religious and ethical influences:

• Confucianism, code of social conduct and philosophy of life, family and ancestor worship.

• Taoism, universal love as solution to social disorder.

GEOGRAPHY and GEOLOGY

Land mass is larger than Europe in area and 1/13 of total land area of the world. Mountainous with extensive fertile valleys, great plains and deserts, excellent harbors present here. Mineral resources such as  metals, trees, bamboo, clay also present here.

EXAMPLES

PAGODAS

• Buddhist temple, most typical Chinese building of religious significance

• Later gained a secular nature: monuments to victory or a memorial to hold relics

• Based on the Indian stupa and stambha

• Octagonal in plan

• Odd number of stories, 9 or 13

• Roofs projecting from each of its many floors, turned up eaves

• Slopes inwards to the top

PAI-LOUS

• Monumental, ceremonial gateway and basic symbolic structure in Chinese architecture

• Erected as memorials to eminent persons

• Led to temples, palaces, tombs or sacred places

• Related to the Indian torana and Japanese torii

• Trabeated form, in stone or wood

• Bold projecting roofs

• 1, 3 or 5 openings

TEMPLES

• Chief feature was the roof

• Supported on timber uprights and independent of walls

• A sign of dignity to place roofs one over the other

• Up-tilted angles, with dragons and grotesque ornaments

• Lofty pavilions, 1 storey each

• Successive open courts and porticoes, kitchens, refectories, sleeping cells for priests

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

• Most famous of ancient Chinese buildings

• by Shi Huangdi

• 3700 miles long, from Pacific Ocean to Gobi Desert

• Mostly gray granite blocks, but also used whatever materials were available in the locality

• 6 to 9 m high, with 1.5 m high parapets

• Base is 7.6 m thick, 4.5 m thick at top

• Paved road wide enough for 5 horses to run abreast

• 25,000 towers, 12 m high and 700 ft apart (2 bow shots apart)

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