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Five thousand years of China, the years are like a song. The Yellow River flows endlessly, and the Yangtze River rolls eastward, witnessing the birth and growth of a great civilization.
However, when the world's eyes focus on our powerful national power today, they often ignore a more profound and fundamental force - Chinese civilization.
Many foreigners still do not understand why China has been able to catch up with the world in just a few decades, and even surpass many developed countries.
A foreign professor once pointed out that it is not China's rise that really deserves attention, but the civilizational heritage contained in it.
Of the four ancient civilizations, only China has survived to this day, which is also the thousand-year-old civilization heritage that the mainland has, and the Chinese civilization continues to make great strides.
So why is China the only one of the four ancient civilizations that has survived to this day? How does the thousand-year-old civilization affect China's strength in the world?
On the shore of the Yellow River, the cradle of civilization
In the distant antiquity, a vast land was bred with the seeds of a great civilization. This land is the Yellow River Basin. It is not only a river, but also the cradle of Chinese civilization.
Imagine standing on the edge of the Loess Plateau and looking out over this vast expanse of land. The Yellow River meanders like a golden dragon, nourishing the fertile soil on both sides. The fertile soil and suitable climate provided unique conditions for the development of the early agricultural economy.
Ancient ancestors stopped here and discovered that the land would not only support themselves, but also allow them to live and work in peace. They began farming, domesticating livestock, and building houses. Over time, scattered tribes gradually formed connections, and a civilization system began to take shape.
However, the trajectory of Chinese civilization is very different from that of Western civilization. Western civilization originated in the warm south, such as ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and then gradually expanded north.
The Chinese civilization, on the other hand, began in the relatively cold Yellow River valley in the north and migrated slowly but surely southward.
This unique development path has shaped the character of Chinese civilization. The ancient Chinese faced severe challenges from the natural environment.
The cold climate forced the ancestors to build sturdy houses and prepare adequate clothing and fuel. This pressure to survive fostered the industrious and hard-working qualities of the ancestors, making them more industrious than those who lived in warmer regions.
The geographical features of the Yellow River Basin also facilitated the spread of Chinese civilization. The criss-crossing water network not only serves as a natural transportation system, but more importantly, it connects people who are scattered across the globe. This connection is not only reflected in the material exchange, but also in the transmission and integration of culture.
With the passage of time, the tentacles of Chinese civilization gradually extended to the Yangtze River basin and the banks of the Pearl River. This process of expansion from north to south not only enriches the connotation of Chinese civilization, but also enhances its adaptability and inclusiveness.
In this vast land, we can see how the ancient Chinese lived in harmony with nature. They invented ingenious farming implements and created efficient farming methods. They observed the celestial phenomena and formulated agricultural hours, forming a unique system of 24 solar terms. The crystallization of these wisdom has become an important support for the long-term continuation of Chinese civilization.
The Yellow River Basin is not only the birthplace of Chinese civilization, but also the source of its endless power. Every inch of land and every drop of water here contains the wisdom and emotion of the Chinese nation. It has witnessed the birth, growth and expansion of the Chinese civilization, and has become the eternal spiritual home of this ancient civilization.
So let's talk about a key point: what is the difference between "Chinese civilization" and "China"?
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Chinese concept, civilization evolution
When we talk about Chinese civilization, we have to face an important conceptual analysis - the difference between "China" and "Chinese civilization". These two seemingly similar concepts actually contain completely different connotations and historical evolutions.
Let's go back to the pre-Qin period and turn over those yellowed bamboo slips. In ancient books such as the Book of Songs and Mencius, the word "China" appears frequently. However, it was not a concept of the state as we understand it today, but rather a reference to a geographical category. It depicts a region in the center of the "world", the core of civilization.
Over time, the meaning of the word "China" has gradually changed. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it began to move closer to the modern meaning of the national term. When Western missionaries and colonists set foot on the land, they used the term "China" to refer to the vast empire they saw.
In contrast, "Chinese civilization" is a much grander and more inclusive concept. It is not confined to a particular dynasty or regime, but represents a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural civilization as a whole. The formation of this concept can be traced back to the Wei and Jin dynasties.
In historical texts such as the Book of Jin and the Book of Wei, we can see that "China" has become an all-encompassing concept that encompasses different peoples and cultures. This inclusiveness has been strengthened and expanded over the course of history.
To give a vivid example, when Zhu Yuanzhang raised the banner of rebellion against the rule of the Yuan Dynasty, he raised the slogan "Restore China". This slogan was not just aimed at the Han Chinese, but included all ethnic groups oppressed by the Yuan Dynasty. It embodies the inclusiveness and cohesion of Chinese civilization and demonstrates the strong vitality of this civilization system.
This inclusiveness and adaptability of Chinese civilization has enabled it to stand tall in the storms of history. Even in the face of foreign invasions, Chinese civilization has shown an astonishing ability to assimilate.
For example, although the Mongolia and Manchurians conquered the Central Plains, they were eventually absorbed by Chinese civilization and chose to adopt the ideas and systems of Chinese civilization to establish the legitimacy of their rule.
This continuity of civilization has also been fully reflected at the institutional and cultural levels. Many of the weights and measures systems and writing systems established during the Qin and Han dynasties continue to this day. The inheritance of this system and culture has ensured the continuity and unity of Chinese civilization.
Confucianism played a key role in this process. In 136 BC, Confucianism was established as the official ideology, and through the imperial examination system, it was deeply embedded in China's political and social structure. The long-term continuation of this ideological system avoids the mutation and rupture of civilization.
The Silk Road is flying, and civilizations learn from each other
The influence of Chinese civilization is not limited to its own geographical scope, it is like a bright pearl, through the golden link of the Silk Road, spreading its own light to the world.
Let's follow Zhang Qian in the Western Han Dynasty and embark on that thrilling journey to the Western Regions. This brave diplomatic envoy not only opened up the channel of communication between the East and the West, but also opened up a broad avenue for the spread of Chinese civilization.
Imagine the Silk Road at that time, camel caravans were endless. Not only did they carry precious silk and porcelain, but more importantly, they brought with them the essence of Chinese civilization.
The sericulture technology and silk weaving technology have amazed Westerners. Among the four major inventions, papermaking and printing provided revolutionary tools for the spread of human civilization.
The spread of papermaking deserves special mention. When the technology spread to the Arab world and eventually arrived in Europe, it played a key role in the Renaissance and the Reformation.
If there was no papermaking, would Gutenberg's printing revolution still be realized? Without a large amount of paper, how could Martin · Luther's Reformation articles be widely circulated?
The spread of gunpowder revolutionized the world's military landscape. It has brought mankind from the age of cold weapons to the age of hot weapons, reshaping the form of warfare and the balance of power between countries. This invention not only changed warfare, but also advanced the development of mining, engineering, and other fields.
The influence of Chinese civilization not only radiates to the West, but also shapes the civilization of the East. In Japan, for example, the introduction of Chinese characters stemmed from cultural exchanges during the Tang Dynasty.
This is not only a kind of communication of words, but also the output of a whole set of cultural systems. Japan's political system, literature, art, and philosophical thought are all deeply influenced by Chinese civilization.
However, the influence of Chinese civilization is not only material. Its unique religious outlook and philosophical ideas have also had a profound impact on the world.
The ancient Chinese worshipped the concept of "heaven", a non-exclusive worldview that enabled Chinese civilization to embrace and absorb other cultures. The concept of "harmony and difference" has become the inclusive cultural gene of Chinese civilization.
This inclusiveness has enabled Chinese civilization to continuously enrich itself in exchanges with other civilizations. The introduction of Buddhism is a prime example.
It not only enriched China's religious life, but also profoundly influenced China's philosophy, literature and art. Buddhism, which has undergone cultural transformation in China, has spread to Korea, Japan and other places with a new look.
Inheritance of the system and sustainability of civilization
The mystery of the longevity of Chinese civilization is not only reflected in its cultural influence, but more importantly, in its unique political system and cultural inheritance mechanism. These systems and mechanisms, like an invisible link, closely link the past, present and future of Chinese civilization.
The modern mural "Assisting the King" comes from the Dingding Hall, the main hall of the Zhougong Temple Museum in Luoyang, Henan.
Back in the Zhou Dynasty, China's earliest feudal era. Zhou Tianzi, as the co-lord, divided the land among the various princes. This feudal system was the earliest feudal system in China.
It is not only a dynastic system, but also a way of cultural inheritance. In their fiefdoms, the princes not only had to govern the people, but also inherited the etiquette and music culture of Zhou Tianzi.
Over time, the feudal system gradually evolved into a centralized county system. This system was perfected during the Qin and Han dynasties and has been used ever since. It ensured effective local control by the central power, while also guaranteeing cultural unity.
After Qin Shi Huang unified the Six Kingdoms, he implemented a series of institutional reforms, such as the unification of writing and weights and measures, which laid the foundation for the long-term unification of Chinese civilization. These seemingly simple systems are actually important carriers of civilization inheritance
Imagine how cultures would be able to communicate with each other without a unified script. Without a unified weights and measures, how can business activities run smoothly?
Confucianism played a key role in this process. When Emperor Wu of Han established Confucianism as the official ideology in 136 BC, he probably didn't realize how far-reaching the impact this decision would have on Chinese civilization. Confucianism was deeply embedded in China's political and social structure through the imperial examination system.
The imperial examination system is not only a way to select talents, but also an important way to inherit culture. It ensures that every talented person, regardless of their origin, has the opportunity to participate in the governance of the country. This institutional design avoids the solidification of the aristocratic class and ensures the vitality of society and the continuation of civilization.
The inclusiveness and adaptability of Chinese civilization are particularly prominent in the face of foreign invasions. When the Mongolia and Manchurians conquered the Central Plains, they did not completely destroy Chinese civilization.
Instead, they were assimilated by this ancient civilization. Kublai Khan of the Yuan Dynasty and Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty both adopted the ideas and institutions of Chinese civilization to establish the legitimacy of their own rule. This cultural assimilation is an important reason for the continuation of Chinese civilization.
This continuity of Chinese civilization has been fully embodied at the institutional and cultural levels. Many of the systems established during the Qin and Han dynasties, such as weights and measures, writing systems, etc., continue to this day. The inheritance of this system and culture has ensured the continuity and unity of Chinese civilization.
(Emperor Kangxi)
End:
The longevity of Chinese civilization and its global influence are not only reflected in the past, but also continue to play a role in the present.
Ideas such as "the United States and the United States, the world is in harmony" have been rejuvenated in the context of globalization. The legendary experience of Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions and the historical phenomenon of the rapid "sinicization" of the Manchurians have left us a rich cultural heritage.
In the future, this ancient and vibrant civilization will continue to shine on the world stage and contribute unique wisdom to the progress of human civilization.
What do you think differently about this?
Resources:
[1] Xiao Gang. Journal of Beijing Xuanwu Hongqi Amateur University,2013,(01):67-69.)
[1] Xiong Jue. Why is only China's civilization not broken among the four ancient civilizations[J].Science Grand View Garden,2016,(21):72-73.)