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The first type of paper money was called jiaozi. It was printed in 1023 CE during the Northern Song dynasty, in Chengdu. Before that, there were various forms of currency, including shells, coins, silver, and gold.
The Shang and Zhou dynasties are known as the Bronze Age of China. This is because archaeologists have found many weapons, vessels, and tools made from bronze from that time.
The term "china" is sometimes used for porcelain because China was, for a while, the only source for porcelain in the West. Porcelain was made from kaolin clay covered with petuntse glaze, and then fired together in high heat.
Concubines were legal and normal in ancient China. Many men would have a main wife along with many concubines. The emperor had the most.
China's earliest archaeological records date back to the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE). Before then, there were almost 2,000 years of prehistoric times without written history.
Foot-binding, the practice of curling young girls' feet to modify their shape, was a common practice. Foot-binding started during the Northern Song period (960–1127 CE), and became prevalent during the Southern Song period (1127–1279 CE).
Education meant success for many people. Boys whose families could afford it were sent to school from childhood. There were also schools for girls, but they were only taught simple theoretical knowledge and female virtues.
The Great Wall of China was first built as a defensive barrier during the Warring States period between 475 and 221 BCE. Then, Emperor Qin Shihuang consolidated the wall to secure China's northern border from invaders.
Horses were the most important means of transport and were usually used in the army. Everyday transportation would be provided by cows, donkeys, and mules.
One of the most famous women in Chinese history was Wu Zetian, the only female emperor. She ruled during the Tang dynasty as empress, and then as emperor for 15 years.
Cuju was an ancient version of soccer, invented during the Han dynasty. The rule of the game was that one could only kick the ball with the feet. The use of hands was not allowed.
Papermaking was invented in China. Before its invention, the Chinese transcribed characters on tree bark, scrolls, cloth, bronzeware, and bamboo.
Women were expected to follow three rules of obedience and four virtues. The obedience rules referred to a woman needing to obey her father or brother before marriage, her husband during married life, and her son in widowhood. The four virtues included speech, action, tolerance, and giving.
As many concubines lived in the palaces, emperors and the imperial family used eunuchs as servants. Many peasant boys and men castrated themselves to get jobs in the palace to escape poverty.
Farmers were in the majority, with only a small percentage being merchants, government officials, scholars, and rulers. Agriculture was highly valued, but farmers' economic conditions were still poor.
The antithesis of the dragon is the phoenix, representing feminine power. Both creatures are auspicious in Chinese culture.
'The Art of War' is a famous book on battle strategy written by military strategist Sun Tzu. It was published in the 5th century, and it's still quoted today.
In ancient times, there were various dialects in China, but the Chinese writing system has been the same since Qin Shihuang unified the fonts. People from different regions can today interact fluently.
The ancient Chinese had three doctrines: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Christianity and Islam arrived only in the 7th century.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Terracotta Army is a collection of sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It's a form of funerary art buried with the emperor with the purpose of protecting him in the afterlife.
Sources: (World History Encyclopedia) (China Highlights) (Thought.Co)
See also: The amazing history behind China's Terracotta Army
The first imperial dynasty was the Qin dynasty that ruled between 221 and 206 BCE. Located in modern-day Gansu and Shaanxi, the dynasty was founded by its first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
The dragon is to this day regarded as a symbol of good fortune. Chinese emperors called themselves sons of dragons, meaning they were born with power to rule the country.
According to legend, silk was discovered in the emperor's garden in 2700 BCE by Hsi-Ling-Shi. She was the wife of Emperor Huang-Ti.
The Zhou dynasty is the longest dynasty in Chinese history, lasting from 1046 to 256 BCE. That's an impressive length of 790 years.
Largely known for his military achievements, Emperor Ming Chengzu was the founder of the Ming dynasty. He's also known for the creation of the world’s largest paper-based general encyclopedia. It contains 2,937 manuscript chapters that cover subjects like science, art, literature, geology, history, drama, and astronomy.
Ancient Chinese clothes were the symbols of prestige and the embodiment of culture, and essential to show social status. Poor people wore hemp clothes that were durable, loose-fitting, and comfortable for working in the fields. Rich people’s clothes were made from silk, dyed with specific colors, and had fancy designs.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history that goes beyond herbal teas. Most traditional Chinese doctors were general practitioners with specializations in gynecology, pediatrics, and surgery.
Chopsticks were first used in China for cooking, not eating. They were invented during China's Neolithic era. By the time of the Han dynasty, (206 BCE–220 CE), they started using them as eating utensils.
Shocking facts about ancient China
Discover more about this immensely important period of Chinese history
LIFESTYLE History
One of the oldest civilizations in the world, China has an extraordinarily rich history, with traditions that have stood the test of time. Starting from the beginning, ancient China saw the creation of long-lasting and influential entities, be them physical structures or belief systems that still stand today. From the creation of paper to the building of the Great Wall of China, check out this gallery for some fascinating facts about ancient China.