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Section IV: Ancient Chinese Life and Culture (Pages 90-93)

This section is about: The importance of the family in Chinese society – and the preference to have sons over daughters. The agrarian-based economy of ancient China. The difficult lives of peasants in China and the advances in technology and culture.

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Section IV: Ancient Chinese Life and Culture (Pages 90-93)

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  1. This section is about: The importance of the family in Chinese society – and the preference to have sons over daughters. The agrarian-based economy of ancient China. The difficult lives of peasants in China and the advances in technology and culture. Section IV: Ancient Chinese Life and Culture(Pages 90-93)

  2. Lets look at the main ideas on page 90. Also. How about the left hand side – “Then and Now”: Women in China. What do Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan and Yang Guifei have in common? They are ancient Chinese women highly regarded for their beauty. Legend has it, in fact, they are ancient China's four most beautiful women, and among the nation's most significant historical figures

  3. Chinese families: Children must obey their parents. Wives must obey their husbands. Young people must obey and respect older people. That’s what their religion and beliefs insisted upon. 1 2

  4. Children Were the reason for the family. Raising children was very important. Children ended up becoming farmers and soldiers. Boys are more important than girls They were stronger and could work longer in the fields. They could perform family ceremonies that honored ancestors. In hard times, baby girls might even be left to… Girls are also a financial burden. If they were to get married, their family often had to pay a dowry to the grooms family 3 4

  5. Women Were inferior to men – so we don’t know much about them (no-one even wrote about them). Even when women did something, they were thought of as lower than men. Women were supposed to keep in their place Let’s read on page 91 (in the quotation marks) 5

  6. Ten Signs of Beauty in Ancient ChinaConcepts of beauty have changed throughout the various periods of China's history, but the following 10 characteristics have continuously been considered signs of beauty: 1. Lustrous black hair;2. Hair loosely coiled on the head to create the appearance of greater height;3. Finely shaped black eyebrows. During the Tang Dynasty, many women shaved their eyebrows, and then drew eyebrows with pigment;4. Large, bright and expressive eyes;5. Red lips and white teeth. In addition to beauty, this was considered a sign of good health;6. Graceful fingers and arms. A pretty woman was expected to have well-shaped hands, with slim, soft fingers, and fair, fleshy arms;7. Slender waist and fair skin. Throughout history, women have wanted a willowy figure;8. Tiny feet and a light, elegant gait;9. Dressing according to complexion, figure and disposition; and10. A fragrant body. It's said a concubine of Qing Emperor Qian Long (1711-1799) gave off a natural fragrance.

  7. Farming and Trade In the Zhou period, farmland was divided up into a well-field system. Large areas of land were divided up into 9 parts – 8 for individuals and the 9th for the noble landowner (farmed by all).

  8. Chinese peasants were very poor Two meals a day Floods and droughts Still had to pay taxes (sold crops to make money – or borrowed) Some were forced to sell everything they had – including their ____________. children

  9. They had an agrarian economy This meant the depended on agriculture. It’s nice to have food, but that’s not the best way to live. China has had periods of bad weather for a long time. When they do, people die (droughts and starvation, floods and death). And, they divided up the land poorly – dividing it up among sons until…

  10. Merchants and Trade You’d think if you were a businessman, being hardworking and clever would be good. In China it wasn’t Merchants were thought of as even lower class than farmers and peasants. Confucius said profit wasn’t important – and businessmen want to make a profit. Other countries like Chinese Merchants better than the Chinese liked their own merchants (silk, lacquer-ware, coins, etc…) 6

  11. Advances in Technology: Large scale flood control systems. Processes for making bronze, silk, and fine porcelain were perfected. Making cast iron was developed. Better farm tools and equipment. Paper was invented. Excellent geographers and astronomers. Wrote Algebra and Geometry books. 7

  12. Some of the world’s first medicine Relied on observation and careful study. Had to pass a test to practice medicine. Books were written on surgery and the use of drugs. Began to use acupuncture. 8

  13. And… Literacy and Literature Only the upper class went to school. Considered the ability to read as important. Had a written language as far back as 4500 BC 9

  14. Stop here for now Make sure page "G" is completed

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