The Culture of Xia

1. The Culture of Xia DaZhi senior high school Wu Tai Fu Chang Che Yao Chen Ying Chun Lin Jiun Ying Kuo Sung Hua Teacher：Momoko Tu

2. Film

3. The Chinese word “俠” The Chinese word “俠”, which is pronounced as “Xia”, stands for an abstract concept – from ancient China, when this concept first came into being, to nowadays, the meaning of Xia has changed continuously. We’ll introduce it to you more clearly in the following pages.

4. The Motive of the Study In 2000, when the Oscar-winning movie “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” was played in the western countries and ended up successfully, this movie really motivates people’s interest of what “Xia” is. The movie features flying swordsmen move lightly across the bamboo treetops through the forest without leaving their footprints, brandishing their sword nimbly. These make westerners curious as well as doubtful about Xia. The gist of our study is to explicate Xia, compare some similar concept with Xia in order to discuss the differences in the multicultural society, and try to make people understand the process and meaning of the culture of Xia.

5. The Range of the Study Most western people associate the Xia with chivalry. However, we think that the word, Hero, also has some similar meaning with Xia. Therefore, this study will first discuss Chivalry and the culture of Hero so that western people can grasp the concept of Xia more quickly. After introducing the concept of Xia, we will further present from the well-known Jinyung’s novel to the process of Taiwan’s martial art novels. Furthermore, we will introduce the origin and process of Xia in brief. Lastly, we will talk about what notion that the concept of Xia has brought into movies.

6. Introduction We roughly classify the introduction as Western and Eastern. We use a time table which is based on the era. In the Eastern aspect, we introduce China and Taiwan’s process of Xia, Japanese Bushido as well. In the Western aspect, we summarize the Chivalry and the culture of Hero in the 20th century. In the end, we will make an integrated comparison.

7. Introduction • The ancient concept of “Xia” is similar to Robin Hood. And the modern concept is similar to chivalry. That is, the development of “Xia” is from offending the Law by armed force to being loyal to king and country. • We adopt the way in which we introduce every part by stages. You can choose the part you are interested in and click the picture to enter the detailed description.

8. Eastern (summary) Western (summary) .the Warring States (403-221 B.C.).The Mohist group. the West Han dynasty (202 B.C. – 8 A.D.). Records of the Grand Historian ( Shih Chi) Middle Ages(10 A.D.- nowadays).Chivalry the Tang Dynasty(618-875 A.D.). novels

9. Eastern Western Japanese shogunate(710 A.D.- nowadays). Bushido The later period of Europe(12 century to present).Translative literature The Yuan and Ming dynasty(1279-1644 A.D.).Transformation of Xia and Water Margin (Water Margin) America(20 century to present). The culture of Hero .the Ching Dynasty(1645-1911 A.D.). The process of martial art literature Western End~

10. Eastern literature (after 1911) China Taiwan Republic of China (20 century to nowadays).The process of Taiwan’s martial art literature The 50th year of the “Republic Era”.(1960s to nowadays). YengZhoScholary Swordsman (Palm drama) Jinyung(in the middle of 20 century).The peak of martial art novels Republic of China (20 century to nowadays).The process of martial art movies Eastern End~

11. Definition Of “Xia” • “Xia” is not only a concept but a pronoun. That is, its meaning is abstract, complicated and abundant. The behavior of people with “Xia” is to put this concept into practice by performing “Xia”. Therefore, we call someone who performs “Xia” with Chinese martial arts as “Wusia”. But it is not essential to combine the principles of “Xia” with martial arts. Instead, for instance, some “Xia” heal people or steal money from the rich to fulfill the concept of Xia. • In other words, comparing with the Western, Chinese ”Xia” put much more emphasis on personality and spirit.

12. Thought of “Xia” • Now, we usually say “Xia” with “Yi”, which means social justice or righteousness, because both words have similar meaning. As far as the report above is concerned, however, we can discover the concept that “Xia” is equal to “Yi” is not completely true and need to revise. • What we have to realize is that the concept of “Xia” has evolved inch by inch with time. And the meaning of ”Xia” has changed from contravening the law by armed force to being engaged in social peace and country justice in 2000 years.

13. Thought of “Xia” • To sum up, known by the public, the “Xia” needs to be dedicated to social justice and help people. However, as far as the cultural aspect of “Xia” is concerned, we should regard “Xia” as a generalized concept which means not only to fight against injustice. • The comparison below bases on the standard of modern “Xia”.

14. Comparison (chivalry and “Xia”) 1.The contents of ancient martial art novels usually talk about assisting clean-handed officials, opposing to bad officials and being loyal to the king. We can find similar concept of being loyal to the king in the literature of Chivalry. But the Chivalry places much importance on personal honor. 2.The second difference between “Xia” and chivalry is the attitude toward love. In Chinese novels, “Xia” keeps away from women and they must feel shameful at chivalry because of their attitude to women.

15. Comparison (Hero and “Xia”) 1.The will of God and theory of doom China－God gives disasters to people while heroes save the people - follow the god. West－destiny go against the hero, and hero always resist till the last minute - not yield to the doom. 2.Soul and belongings China－follow moral standard that is severer than other people. They must be in a certain group (attending or establishing). West－individualism

16. Total comparison • The concept of Xia is too abstract for the Western because it is not just to help or save people, like spider-man. Xia needs more connotation relatively. Scholarly Xia, for instance, has not only to simply follow thoughts of Confucianism in moral standard but high class of literature. • Therefore, the reason that we just say someone has behavior of “Xia” not someone is “Xia” is a person who has high moral standard, class of humanism and characteristic of “Xia” only appears in the novels.

17. What “Xia” really is? • The modern “Xia” which created by people nowadays is grand. However, we can find another “Xia” group – gang, which is defined according to the primary standard of “Xia” - contravening the law by armed force and doing things by their sense of justice. Moreover, the thoughts of gang and “Xia” now are diametrically different. And if there were “Xia”, they should eliminate gang.

18. What “Xia” really is? • That is, everyone can be “Xia”. It just depends on which era do you live in. If you think that dumping the garbage is justice and you really do it, you will be a “Xia” who contravene the law because of justice in your mind. But, you won’t be regarded as a “Xia” by modern people because your behavior is not equal to the aspect and standard of “Xia” in this society.

20. The summary of Eastern China：There are two aspect of the definition of Xia. One is the historic Xia which first means a person fights against the unfair law and bad government. Another is the literary Xia which is more idealistic and closer to the thought of Xia in this society nowadays – it means a perfect person who will help others when they face injustice and do everything for the country and masses. Japan: The spirit of Bushido processed similarly as Xia. Maybe it was much closer to Confucianism. We’ll compare and introduce these in brief.

21. The Mohist Group In the Warring States, the mohist group supported the process of Mohism. They made the idea of Mohism widely known, helping weak countries keep their homeland. the mohist group members wanted to reach self-sufficiency and invented some military weapons.

22. The Connection between the Mohist Group and Xia Now many people treat the mohist group as the group of “Xia.” It is because the mohist group promoted the thought – you have to do thoroughly what you said, which fits in with the contemporary explanation of Xia. Another reason is that members of it behaved like Xia. They gathered together and formed as a new power in the society, so it is called the group of ”Xia.” However, what you have to know is that the debut thought of calling it as Xia springs up recently. So it doesn’t fit in with the ancient standard of Xia.

23. The Definition of Xia in Records of the Grand Historian The deeds that Xia promoted might not always be just, but they must keep their words, do things firmly, sacrifice themselves to help others’ in difficulty, and not boast of their behavior even when facing death. People far and wide admired their deeds. They would do anything for justice.

24. The Detailed Explanation of Records of the Grand Historian There are a few examples in Records of the Grand Historian, which show some following traits：Xia won’t be partial to himself or his relatives but acts on justice, won’t be angry because of others’ disdain, and is a person that won’t strive for fame and wealth. From the aspect of official, acting like Xia is to exert power, which is different from the thought of Xia himself. In a word, the deeds that Xia did are praised by everyone.

25. The Thought of Xia from Chin to Hang Dynasty Han Feizi：”The Confucianists destroyed the Law by words while Xia offended the Law by armed force.” The basic definition of Xia in this period was a person fights against the unfair law and bad government, which was the base of Records of the Grand Historian. It used the thought and interpreted it in the bright side. However, the view of the same period wasn’t positive at all. Shuowen Jiezi：A person who shares benefit with each other, makes friends privately, and stands in this society by his armed force is the so-called Xia. They trust each other and have the same values. Besides, they may be the people who have authority in an area and fight against the noble, or live in this society on their own.

26. The Thought of Xia from Chin to Hang Dynasty In this epoch, there was no class difference of Xia. In other word, no matter who could be Xia. They were wanted by the government because most of their deeds were against the Law. However, the King and the noble might be Xia anonymously. In brief, Xia from Chin to Hang Dynasty was people who didn’t care about their life and death but were in pursuit of justice.

27. Xia from Wei to Tang Dynasty By Wei dynasty, the concept of Xia had been divided into two aspect by degree. One continued the previous concept and called the historic Xia while another was transformed into the literary Xia which developed to the contemporary concept in the Chinese society at present.

28. The Historic Xia from Wei to Tang Dynasty It could roughly be classified as two categories. One was local bullies and ruffians. Another was rich young men. Basically, the two categories acted similarly as Xia in Hang Dynasty – robbery and killing.

29. The literary Xia from Wei to Tang Dynasty The literature of martial art started from Southern and Northern Dynasties and was complete in Tang Dynasty. A new interpretation of Xia different from Hang’s negative comment was defined as a noble personality that could do everything for the society and maintain the social justice.

30. The Summary of Xia in The Yuan and Ming Dynasty In this period, almost the whole concept of Xia in literature is different from historic interpretation. Therefore, we will introduce the change and focus on the Xia in literature. The representative work is Water Margin, which means demarcation of Xia in literature. The works before this book and the works after are different in feature and style. In the next page, we will first introduce Water Margin, and then analyze Xia in literature.

31. The approximatestory of "Water Margin“ (part 1) The first 70 chapters of the story is led by Song-Jiang and Chao-Gai . They gathered heroes coming from everywhere on the Mount Liangshang. Some of the heroes were forced to go up the Mount Liangshang by corrupt officials while some of them were go up because of heart affecting. Whatever, the aim they got together at Mount Liangshang is right wrongs in accordance with heaven's decree and oppose to the corrupt government. Not until 108 heroes got together did they rank the ranking of brothers. They were very herotic and killed many venal officials, which make the great satisfaction of the people. These behaviors also let people abreact their discontent with the government.

32. The analysis of "Water Margin“ (part 1) The advanced part of paragraphs describe two kinds of heroes. One is herotic and another is generous who always give financial assistance to the former. By the way, describes about the generous heores mention a new sight of shia. In this part, the describe of shia is more close to the pragmatic one(such as using martial art against the law or to fullfill “self-justice”). It has some disagreement with the Dynasty from Wei to Tang. However, all the spirit of shia are same：they all address themselves to strive for justice and dreams of the society.

33. The approximatestory of "Water Margin“ (part 2) Later 50 chapters of the story describe heroes on the Mount Liangshang enlisted in the government for the defense of their country.All leaders were safe and well, also erected awesome. However, in the war with a country in the southern of China, most of the heroes were defeated.And those who survived not only didn’t gain thewell-earnedrecompenses but also be ensnared by cunning courtiers. Most of these heroes didn’t have a good end in this story.

34. The analysis of "Water Margin“ (part 2) The image of these heroes on the after part of the story has a great different from the former one. From the accomplishment of “self-justice” to adhered to the government, in order to assert the safety of the country.

35. The development In this novel, these heroes’ behavior gradually changed from malcontent to loyal to the government. “Water Margin” stands at a literature borderline from generation to generation. The former part succeed to the characteristic of shia from the Yuan dynasty, which shows individual personality, while the latter reveal a new kinds of shia who are loyal to the government.

36. the meaning of "Water Margin“ • The shia in this novel have begin to associate with the government instead of seeking self-justice.and this kind of novel had become the main novel style in the Qing dynasty.

37. The literary of Xia in Qing Dynasty • The concept of Xia in this epoch expended from the “Water Margin” had associated with the government, or we can even say Xia had been held a lane by the government. • The basic configure of literature in this epoch was that one Xia who had associated with the government bumping into another who hadn’t. Then they would conflict, but the one who hadn’t associate with the government must assimilate to the one who had in the end.

38. Martial Arts Novels of the Qing Dynasty- “San Xia Wu Yi” • “San Xia Wu Yi” tells a story in the Sung Dynasty about a judge called Pao Ching Tien how to judge cases. In this book, three Xia (southern Xia-Chan Chao, northern Xia Ou-yang Chun, double Ting Xias) and five man who had sense of honor (Drilling sky mouse- Lu Fang, Digging into land mouse- Han Chang, Crossing mountain mouse- Hsu Ching, Turning over river mouse- Chiang ping, Glorious hair mouse- Pai Yu Tang) helped Pao Ching Tien judge cases.

39. Characteristics of Xia in “San Xia Wu Yi” 1.Do something others daren’t do 2.Rescue people before fighting with bad men 3.Regard maintaining social-justice as himself’ s duty 4.Have good skill in martial arts but not being rascals 5.Admire each other who is Xia 6.Think for officers in the place rather than show himself act against the law 7.Bad people admire Xia 8.The noblest Xia is smart, calm, and changeful.But all of his deeds are in the range of the concept of Xia.

40. The Concept of Xia in “San Xia Wu Yi” • Most of Xias in “San Xia Wu Yi” associated with the government and didn’t act against the law. The emperor in this period were different from the emperor in former dynasties either. Xias in this period still behaved with the justice which in their minds. But they would keep as silent as they could because they didn’t want to make officers in the place embarrassed.

41. The culture of “Wu Lin” • After the year of the “Republic Era“, the literature of xia has combined with martial arts. It became a brand new kind of xia literature. We call this kind of xia society in novels as “Wu Lin.” in these societies, friendship is the most important thing of all. In order to protect their friends’ security, xia will use martial arts to cope with all the troubles.

42. Introduce of Jin Yong • Jin's real name is Cha Liangyong. Born in 1924, he is from Haining County, Zhejiang Province. He studied in the College of Foreign Languages of Chunking Central University then the College of Law of Soochou University. • His first novel, Shujian Enchou Lu, published in Sin Wan Bao in 1955, was a big hit. Since then, he started his writing professionally for more than 30 years, and his status as the Master of the wusia novelist has become unshakable. When his last series, Luding Ji, was finished in the Ming Bao daily in September in 1972, he retired from writing wusia novels.

43. Jin Yong’s novel • The Book and the Sword • Sword Stained with Royal Blood • The Legend of the Condor Heroes • The Return of the Condor Heroes • Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain • Other Tales of the Flying Fox • 7. Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre • A Deadly Secret • Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils--- • Ode to Gallantry • The Smiling, Proud Wanderer • The Deer and the Cauldron

44. “Xia” of Sword Stained with Royal Blood People will go against government in troubled time because of poverty. And if there is a person maintains justice, he will be defined as the image of “Xia.” It is a troubled time that the era of this book is. Yuan Chengjhih is destined to do many just things because of his identity. Yuan Chengjhih gains many sympathy because of his poor background. On the other hand, he show more justice and heroic when he put his personal feud away be engaged in society and country.

45. “Xia” of Sword Stained with Royal Blood Main characters usually learn martial art when they were young and become very good after several years. Furthermore, kindness is always the key of being a “Xia”, and we can find the same personality in Western novels.

46. Character of The Deer and the Cauldron Because Wei Xiaobao was born in brothel, which is defined as a obscene place, he formulate a personality of neglecting tradition as well as etiquette and is socialized more fast.

47. “Xia” of The Deer and the Cauldron Jin Yong say thatThe Deer and the Cauldron is more similar to history novel, not “Wu Xia” novel. Though it is not correct that we defined Wei Xiaobao as a “Xia”, but, in some aspects, we still can say Wei Xiaobao has some personalities of “Xia”, like valuing friendship.

48. “Xia” of The Deer and the Cauldron Being a group of “Xia”, Tien Ti Hui emphasize not their goal, against government, but their process, a spirit of “Xia”. For instance, when they know they are wrong, they will apologize to people who involved in.

49. Characters in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils The research of Duan Yu (combination of “Xia”, Confucianism and literati)： Duan Yu is a man of letters and he hate to use force and martial art, having similarity to Chinese literati. The behavior and spirit he perform in the book is derived from deeply thoughts of “Xia”. These behaviors, settling quarrels and doing things by his own justice, are similar to the expectation that “Xia” need to do. Thoughts：First, the recognition of “Xia” in the East may combine with many thoughts of Confucianism. Second, there is not direct connection between being “Xia” and having good martial art. What is more important is the real meaning of doing things about “Xia”.

50. Characters in Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils The research of Syu Jhu (combination of “Xia” and Buddhism)： Buddhism accent that we should safe everyone by love, quit killing other people, and help people. And these concepts are very similar to modern concept of “Xia”. People nowadays think “Xia” should help people and be devoted to society. Another important personality of “Xia” is that possess a quality of justice. As far as Buddhism, they emphasize that possess a heart of mercy, which meaning is to love every human beings around the world without distinguisher. However, we can take the behavior of Syu Jhu, which follows principles of Buddhism, such as helping people by justice, as generalized “Xia”.