Tang And Song Contributions

One of the greatest known dynasties in the history of the Chinese culture was the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty's primary influences were the teachings of Confucius. The Confucian influences had positive and negative impacts on the Chinese culture throughout the Han Dynasty and beyond.

China’s population was growing rapidly, almost doubling between 750 and 1100. Because of this huge population boom, paper money was established, and the trade industry grew. There were many advances that were made, such as technological improvements

In Ancient China the father of the woman decided who that his daughter would marry. There was no agreement between the two fathers. The father would talk with an astrologer who had a birth chart on every child. By looking at the time and date of their births he would then decide whether or not they would be compatible for one another. The father when then make the decision whether they would marry, the daughter’s thoughts and opinion’s did not count.(9) The woman was required to be completely devoted to her husband. After the marriage a Chinese women was expected to bow to her new in-laws and offer them tea. This showed them that she now belonged to her husband’s family. It was required of her to obey her new

Both the Tang and Song Dynasties had very successful economies. The Silk Roads were reopened and restored during the Tang Dynasty. These were essential trade routes that opened a network of

The Tang dynasty used a system of equal land allotment to the male population. Tang’s greatest source of income was tax on allotments. Periodic military service was required from all males. This was the basis of Tang’s military. Tang’s political system included comprehensive administration, an official system, a strict legal system, and an equitable imperial examination system. The economy reached an advanced level. Series of reforms were implemented; Juntian Zhi (Land Equalization System), Zuyongdiao System (peasant’s burden was lessened and production efficiency was improved. Farm tools and agriculture technique was improved, and many of the irrigation works were completed). Commercial cites were opened during the Tang dynasty, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Guilin, Hangzhou, Chang’an (currently Xian), and Luoyang (the auxiliary capital). The opening of the Silk Road introduced foreign merchants and ambassadors promoted marine trade. The economy was seriously damaged after the AnShi rebellion. The Juntian Zhi and Zuyongdiao systems were destroyed. This brought about the Double Tax System. This system imposed tax according to wealth and helped resume fiscal revenue. It was also a good example for later tax reforms.

The empires of Rome and China were very great ones, they both had many similarities and differences in the way they ran their empires. One major difference was the way they treated their women. Both Chinese and Roman women were unequal in social status than the men of the empires were, but they were definitely treated different in both empires. Women of China were treated quite harshly and were expected to take orders at all times by their husbands, and were to serve them always. This started to happen especially after Confucius died because he taught people to treat each other the same, “after his death women became less free and lost status,”(Arvind 10). Women of Rome were treated like goddesses; they were to stay at home as housewives

In both the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire, women were seen as delicate figures and had limited political freedom. Women in Han China were required to be accompanied and led by a male, whether

From 618-907, the unprecedented leniency and tolerance of the Tang dynasty created a large hyper power, with alliances and trading and such. This empire left a lasting impression on the Chinese. “These and other factors converged to produce a dynasty more tolerant of foreign cultures, religions, and influences than any other in Chinese history.” Taizong was the first emperor of the tang dynasty and set the precedent for his successors. His main goal was to establish equality throughout the regions. He achieved this and became “the first Chinese ruler to establish dominion over the steppes.” As the Tang rule grew larger and larger, it engulfed areas like Manchuria, Vietnam, and parts of Iran. The way they chose to handle the commerce and diplomacy

In his murder novel, The Willow Pattern, Robert Van Gulik chronicles the work of the semi-fictional historical figure Judge Dee: a statesman and detective of the Tang court. In the midst of a mysterious plague that had overtaken the capital city of Chang’an Judge Dee seeks answers to the murder of two wealthy aristocrats. Over the course of his endeavors, he encounters many attributes and acts characteristic to the Tang Dynasty. DESPITE THE FICTIONAL NATURE OF HIS NOVEL, GULIK PAINTS A HISTORICALLY PLAUSIBLE PICTURE OF THE TANG DYNASTY THROUGH DEPICTIONS OF THE COSMOPOLITAN CULTURE, THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND ADHERENCE TO CONFUCIAN, LEGALIST, AND BUDDHIST BELIEFS.

Wu Zhao belonged to the Tang Empire, which according to the author which “…was a true empire, encompassing many lands, many peoples, and many ideologies. Multi ethnic and cosmopolitan, Tang China was perfectly suited for the ascent of a historical anomaly like Wu Zhao…” (Rothschild, 2008, p. 11) In a sense, there was a conflict of traditional Confucian values which promoted a patriarchal society and the liberal Steppe culture which gave women more freedom and rights. China at that time was a cocktail of these cultures which led to a significant impact on the lifestyle and values of peoples in that era. Women were bold and tough, and unlike earlier societies, were no longer confined socially and sexually (Rothschild, 2008, p. 12). While did not exist a perfect equality between men and women, women of that era were allowed to live without hiding under the dominance of the male Yang. As the author talks of the Silk Road, it is mentioned that,”…In this free-wheeling milieu, women donned men’s attire and rode horses…” (Rothschild, 2008, p. 15) .This “cosmopolitan” (Rothschild, 2008, p. 16) society was the foundation for the Tang Empire. Another important factor was the prevalence of Buddhism as a religion of the masses. Buddhism, in itself, helped united much of Asia, and was a common platform for men and women, unlike in Confucianism where

Medieval China, as seen in the Stories from a Ming Collection, was characterized by distinct separations between men and women’s abilities, typical old fashioned family structure, and a desire to advance their social status. Throughout all the stories in this book, it dives deep into different aspects of how men and women are treated, how families were structured and how that affects their lives, as well as the values these people held. A very common trend in the stories was how different men and women were treated and the limitations they may or may not had.

By the end of Tang Dynasty, the old aristocracy had been supplanted by the scholar-gentry.

For ages, Confucianism, as the ritual standard throughout the history of Ancient China, has an enormous impact on the development of Chinese cultural and Chinese society in numerous ways. Admittedly, the philosophy of Confucian was adopted by many emperors and helped them to create a stable and structured society. However, Confucian studiers kept women subservient to men, which they claimed that women were a part of their male’s counterparts or asset rather than an individual. Confucian’s doctrines contributed a lot to the moral codes that should be complied by women, especially in Song dynasty, which the introduce of Neo-Confucianism brought some changes to women’s position in this specific dynasty. The marriage of women and their

In the Chinese society, there was a belief that women should focus on family and the household duties, demanding stringent separation of the genders is essential to sustain a balanced society (Neel). Tasks such as preparing food, cleaning and looking after the children were the standard for the majority of women in the 20th century of China. They were expected to have many children and most women felt the pressure to deliver a son. It was common for women to take up manual labor in the household. Spinning, weaving and sewing were the most common occupations (Eyferth 370). Some peasant women worked in the fields with their husbands. During the Song Dynasty, marriage was legally monogamous. Both men and women could legally remarry

Women in our culture just start to have opportunities to raise their rights after the oppression of thousands years. For those centuries, Confucianism plays the dominating role in terms of the China politics and culture. The core philosophy of Confucianism is to enforce the stabilization of agriculture society and politics. Hence, it became popular and be promoted by Chinese and other East Asian monarchs in history. Confucianism requires or forces women to be loyalty to their husband and hyper sexuality of women is absolutely not acceptable in the patriarchal society. Specifically, the conclusion of “three obediences and the four virtues” creates the ideal model and the moral criterions for the famine, where a woman are expected to function well in relationship with her father, husband and son . I certainly believe those ideas that women