General Introduction to Chinese Traditional Culture

Author: Zhu Yaoting
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: The Shuowen Jiezi states: "A character () is a cross-hatched drawing (), resembling interwoven patterns ()." Its original meaning refers to various interwoven textures, and its extended meaning includes the idea of "weaving the universe" (). The character "" (huà) originally means transformation and creation, referring to the change in form or nature of things, and is extended to mean the practice of teaching and promoting goodness. When the two characters "" (wénhuà) are combined, they encompass the concepts of "human culture" () and "transforming the world" (), as well as the idea of "educating with culture" (). This book is a textbook for undergraduate liberal arts majors and other interdisciplinary quality courses, edited by Professor Zhu Yaoting of the School of Applied Arts and Sciences at Beijing Union University. It addresses many issues related to the "interface between heaven and earth and the span of time," and is vast, profound, and deeply rooted, with rich content. Its main task is to introduce the relevant content and key characteristics of traditional Chinese culture to different audiences, while also offering its own perspectives on how to promote traditional Chinese culture. The book is divided into four parts.
Part 1, The Doctrines of the Axial Age. Focuses on the teachings of pre-Qin Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism (Laozi and Zhuangzi), the Book of Changes (Zhouyi), Legalism, Names School, and ancient military strategies.
Part 2, Etiquette, Customs, and Religious Beliefs. Focuses on feudal etiquette and imperial culture, traditional Chinese folk customs, traditional dietary customs, tea culture, wine culture, traditional housing customs, traditional marriage customs, indigenous religion—Daoism, transplantation and variation—Buddhism and traditional Chinese culture.
Part 3, Literary Arts and Ancient Science. Focuses on ancient Chinese literature, traditional Chinese opera, traditional Chinese art, ancient historical classics, the ancient Chinese education system and imperial examinations, talent issues in ancient China, and ancient Chinese science and technology.
Part 4, The Influence and Dissemination of Traditional Chinese Culture. Includes "Unity and Integration—The Exchange and Convergence of Han Culture and Ethnic Minority Cultures," "Roots Across the Strait—Traditional Chinese Culture in Taiwan," "The Han Cultural Sphere—Traditional Chinese Culture in Asia," and "Heading West—Traditional Chinese Culture in Europe and America."