Chinese Culture

Culture is often defined in the aspects of history, social, spiritual and as a lifestyle. In Simple-Chinese.com you will find articles describing both modern and traditional Chinese culture which are essential knowledge to help you further understand the language.

In modern society, traditional Chinese culture is part of the heritage of history which can be traced back before century. Confucius' ideology, Buddhism and Taoism are three main branches of Chinese culture. They are so powerful that the modern Chinese culture is still being influenced by them.

Chinese culture is usually classified into four types:

1. Material Culture
- Archeology: artifacts like unearthed handicrafts, stone artifact, bronze ware, etc. bribe sites, emperor's or king's resting places or tombs.
- Architecture, gardens and parks: pallace, tower, pavilion, veranda, stone tablet, bridge and city walls.
- Food Culture: ways of cooking, tea, wine, dinner-sets, chopsticks, and manners during Chinese meals, etc.
- Handicraft Art: embroidery, weaving and knitting, clay sculpture, carving, pottery and porcelain etc.
- Dressing.

2. Spiritual Culture
- Arts: Chinese literature, Chinese music, dance, Chinese drama, folk arts, fine arts, seal cutting, Chinese calligraphy, etc.
- Concepts: aesthetic conceptions, social values, and taboos.
- Moral principles: respect the elderly and take care of the young, be filial to parents, help and support the poor, lay stress on etiquettes.
- Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam, and Confucianism.

3 Social Culture
- Folk culture: Chinese Astrology and Zodiac Signs, Festival Celebrations. Lantern Display in Parks, Customs about Marriage and Funeral, Sacrifices-offering to Gods and ancestors.
- Entertainment culture: Dragon-Boat Race, Stilts-Walking, Swing Playing, Chinese Chess, Go, Mahjong, Drinker's Wager Game.
- Sports culture: Martial Arts, Horse Racing, Arrow Shooting, Mountain Climbing, Qi Gong, Acupuncture, Massage, etc.

4. Language Culture
- Chinese characters
- Chinese pronunciations and regional dialogs