Related knowledge about ancient China

Related knowledge about ancient China:

Imperial examination system:

It is an important political system in ancient China that not only had a profound impact on Chinese society and culture but also greatly influenced other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and Vietnam etc. Officials were selected through examinations constituting, which was the ancient Chinese method of appointing officials. This system originated in the Sui Dynasty in 587 A. D and lasted until the Qing Dynasty in 1905. Over the course of more than 1,300 years, every dynasty had different regulations for this system, including the content and timing of examinations.

Certainly, this system also became one of the significant obstacles to the development of science and technology in China, especially during the modern era when Western countries began the Industrial Revolution. China began to lag behind the Western, falling into a semi-colonial state in the 19th century. In this book, the dynasties are fictional so I use the system of the Ming Dynasty (1368 — 1644). The examinations were held every three years, including the examination for Children, county examination, provincial examination, metropolitan examination and final imperial examination. The final two examinations took place in the capital of the dynasty.

Polygamy:

Polygamy, the practice of one man having multiple wives, emerged in the late stages of ancient China's clan-based society and persisted until 1912. In Chinese history, this custom primarily referred to a husband with a wife and one or more concubines. The primary couple constituted a legitimate marriage and underwent formal wedding ceremonies. The wife held the position of the true mistress of the household. All Children in the family, even those born to concubines, were required to address her as their mother, acknowledging her as the genuine maternal figure in the household. Concubine in this family lacked the authority to make decisions, including those related to the children. In some households, concubines even had a status similar to that of servants or maids. 

Name:

In ancient China, individuals typically had both a given name and a courtesy name, known as "zi". The given name, bestowed at birth, was one's official name. The courtesy name, on the other hand, was acquired by males at the age of 20 and females at the age of 15. The courtesy name often served to explain or complement the given name. Usually, family members and relatives, especially the older generation, used the given name, while "zi" was used to by the others and peers.

For females, the situation differed. Only family members knew a girl's given name or courtesy name. When a girl became engaged, it was customary for the prospective husband's family to formally inquire about her name. However, upon marriage, she would lose her individual name and adopt her husband's surname. For example, if her husband's was Zhou and her family name was Wang, she would be addressed as "Zhou Wangshi", with "Shi" serving as a generic term for a married woman. This practice reflected a Chinese cultural tradition of humility and politeness. This custom has been largely abandoned sine 1949. In this book I mentioned, I only referred to the courtesy names of Zhou Chuyu and Nie Huanzhang. 

The funeral in ancient China:

China is not only a country with a long history and a vast territory but also a multi-ethnic nation with no unified funeral ceremony. Now I will introduce some basic rituals. Firstly, the deceased is believed to enter another world known as the "Yin Realm" or the underworld. The deceased resides there, and the living must provide everything needed for the deceased in the afterlife, including money, clothes and more. Of course, the living also place various items, including people, in the deceased's grave. Fengshui is not only used in constructing houses but also in building tombs. After a person's death, their family members are required to wear mourning attire made of white or white-like linen. Everything inside the house is adorned with white cloth, especially items in red, which must be entirely covered in white. Guests must wear plain clothing, wrap a piece of white cloth around their waist and are not allowed to carry weapons.

If one of the parents passes away, the son and grandson, if officials, must resign from their positions for a year. All the funerals I have mentioned are only referenced in this book.

Religion:

There are three major religions in China: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Confucianism and Taoism are indigenous religions, while Buddhism was introduced to China from India through the Western Regions during Han Dynasty in 67 AD. Although Confucianism does not have external forms such as temples in China, it has been the ruling state religion for over two thousand years, exerting a profound influence on various aspects of Chinese life, especially Chinese behavior and thought. While Taoism has not been designated as a state religion, it significantly influences the behavior and thoughts of the Chinese people. Confucianism and Taoism, although distinct, complement each other in many aspects. Buddhism, being an imported religion, faced suppression in China, especially under the influence of Confucianism. However, it found acceptance among the populace and people often visit temples to seek blessings. In this book, Zhou Chuyu visits temples on the first and fifteenth days every month to pray for safety symbols, not only in Buddhist temples but also in Taoist temples.

Homosexual:

Homosexuality is not a new topic in China, which it has a history of over two thousand years. As early as the Warring States period in China (475B.C — 221B.C), there were the stories such as that of the King of Wei and Lord Longyang. Throughout China's extensive history, there has never been a dynasty that explicitly prohibited homosexuality. However, under the influence of Confucianism, filial piety has been considered en essential moral virtue. Failing to be filial to one's parents and not having offspring are deemed the most severe forms of unfilial behavior. Without descendants, individuals were viewed as extremely unfilial, leading to the observation that many homosexuals in ancient China were often also bisexual. Child prostitutes and male prostitutes have existed in ancient China for an extended period. 

Ancient Chinese Bureaucracy:

The bureaucratic system in ancient China originated from the system of family courtiers and external ministers. During the Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States Period (770B.C — 221B.C), China transitioned from slavery system to feudalism system, marking the gradual formation of the ancient Chinese bureaucratic system. After the unification of China by Qin Shihuang, a centralized bureaucratic system was established, including institutions like the six ministries, which I reference in my book as the leader of officials and six ministries. The six ministries were as follows:

1. Ministry of Revenue: responsible for finances and taxation

2. Ministry of Military: in charge of military affairs

3. Ministry of Rites: handling diplomatic affairs

4. Ministry of Official: overseeing the bureaucracy

5. Ministry of Justice: responsible for the legal system

6. Ministry of Works: managing construction and public works.

The leader of these ministries not only managed the six ministries but also served as the emperor's assistant.

Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated in primitive society around 5000 years ago. By the time of the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period, the theoretical foundations of TCM had already taken shape, with branches like anatomy and medicine emerging. One of the four major classics of Chinese medicine is the "Hungdi Neijing" ( <Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon>), which stands as the earliest medical classic in China's more than two-thousand-year medical history. 

The medical theories of TCM derive from the synthesis of medical experiences and the ancient Chinese concepts of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements. Its contents encompass theories of essence and Qi, Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, Qi and blood circulation, constitutional theories, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment principles and health preservation. Treatment modalities include herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping therapy and the Four Diagnoses: observation, listening, questioning and pulse-taking.

Family Clan

China places significant emphasis on familial heritage, with a total 3,490 surnames, many of which can be traced back as far as 5,000 years. Numerous families maintain their own genealogical records and ancestral temples. To date, the most complete genealogy in China belongs to the Kong family (Confucius's descendants), with a history spanning at least 3,000 years. The Chen surname boasts the highest number of entries in genealogies, with 2,752 recorded across various regions nationwide.