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The philosophy of Confucius emphasises personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. These values gained prominence in China during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE).<br/><br/> Confucius' thoughts have been developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism. It was introduced to Europe by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, who was the first to Latinise the name as 'Confucius'.<br/><br/> His teachings may be found in the Analects of Confucius, a collection of brief aphoristic fragments, which was compiled many years after his death.
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) was a renowned arist and ukyo-e painter of the late Edo Period. Born in Edo, Hokusai was from an artisan family and bore the childhood name of Tokitaro. As he grew and became an artist, he would use more than thirty names throughout his lifetime, exceeding that of any other major Japanese artist.<br/><br/> His best known work was the series 'Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji', which secured his fame not only in Japan but also overseas. Though he had a long career, his most important work was arguably produced after he turned 60, when his work transformed the artwork of ukiyo-e from not just focusing on courtesans and actors to also portraying landscapes, animals and plants.
Xin Zhui (died 163 BCE), also known as Lady Dai or Marquise of Dai, was the wife of Li Cang, the Marquis of Dai, during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). She gained fame more than 2,000 years after her death, when her tomb was discovered inside a hill known as Mawangdui, in Changsha, Hunan, China.<br/><br/> After opening the tomb, workers discovered her exceptionally preserved remains alongside hundreds of valuable artifacts and documents. Her body and belongings are currently under the care of the Hunan Provincial Museum, which has allowed occasional international exhibits.
The Azure Dragon is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. It represents the east and the spring season.<br/><br/> It is known as Qing Long in Chinese, Seiryu in Japanese, Cheongnyong in Korean, and Thanh Long in Vietnamese. It is also called the Azure Dragon of the East.<br/><br/> The azure dragon featured on the flag of Qing China, 1890-1912 (see CPA0002244).
The Eastern Han, also known as the Later Han, formally began on 5 August 25, when Liu Xiu became Emperor Guangwu of Han.<br/><br/> Luoyang, Henan Province, was established as the Eastern Han capital by the Guangwu Emperor Liu Xiu (25-57 CE).
The Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 CE) was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD).<br/><br/> Spanning more than four centuries, the Han period is considered a golden age in Chinese history. To this day, China's majority ethnic group refers to itself as the 'Han people and the Chinese script is referred to as Han characters'.
The Eastern Han, also known as the Later Han, formally began on 5 August 25, when Liu Xiu became Emperor Guangwu of Han.<br/><br/> Luoyang, Henan Province, was established as the Eastern Han capital by the Guangwu Emperor Liu Xiu (25-57 CE).
Xin Zhui (died 163 BCE), also known as Lady Dai or Marquise of Dai, was the wife of Li Cang, the Marquis of Dai, during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). She gained fame more than 2,000 years after her death, when her tomb was discovered inside a hill known as Mawangdui, in Changsha, Hunan, China.<br/><br/> After opening the tomb, workers discovered her exceptionally preserved remains alongside hundreds of valuable artifacts and documents. Her body and belongings are currently under the care of the Hunan Provincial Museum, which has allowed occasional international exhibits.
The Eastern Han, also known as the Later Han, formally began on 5 August 25, when Liu Xiu became Emperor Guangwu of Han.<br/><br/> Luoyang, Henan Province, was established as the Eastern Han capital by the Guangwu Emperor Liu Xiu (25-57 CE).<br/><br/> This brick, from the chamber wall of a rich and powerful family's tomb, depicts the home of a wealthy, influential Han official; it features a walled courtyard, house, bedrooms, halls, kitchen, well, and a watchtower. The host and his guest sit and drink in the inner courtyard, while two roosters fight and two cranes dance.
Lady Dou Wan was the wife of Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan, of the Western Han Dynasty. Her tomb was discovered in 1968 in Mancheng County, Hebei. Her body was encased in a jade burial suit.<br/><br/> Among the artefacts found in the tomb was a gilt bronze figure of a maidservant holding an oil-lamp, the 'Changxin Palace Lamp'. Not only was the palace maid beautifully sculptured, the lamp and its cover were cleverly designed so that both the lamp's illuminating power and the direction of its rays were (and still are) adjustable.
Totoya Hokkei was a Japanese printmaker and book illustrator. He initially studied painting with Kano Yosen (1735-1808), the head of the Kobikicho branch of the Kano School and <i>okaeshi</i> (official painter) to the Tokugawa shogunate.<br/><br/> Together with Teisai Hokuba (1771-1844), Hokkei was one of Katsushika Hokusai's best students.
Astronomy in China has a very long history, with historians indicating that the Chinese were the most persistent and accurate observers of celestial phenomena anywhere in the world before the Arabs. Star names later categorized in the twenty-eight mansions have been found on oracle bones unearthed at Anyang, dating back to the middle Shang Dynasty (Chinese Bronze Age, 3rd - 2nd millennium BCE), and the mansion system's nucleus seems to have taken shape by the time of the ruler Wu Ding (1339-1281 BCE).<br/><br/> Detailed records of astronomical observations began during the Warring States period (fourth century BCE) and flourished from the Han period onward. Chinese astronomy was equatorial, centered as it was on close observation of circumpolar stars, and was based on different principles from those prevailing in traditional Western astronomy, where heliacal risings and settings of zodiac constellations formed the basic ecliptic framework.
Cursive script (simplified Chinese: 草书; traditional Chinese: 草書; pinyin: cǎoshū) is a style of Chinese calligraphy. Cursive script is faster to write than other styles, but difficult to read for those unfamiliar with it. It functions primarily as a kind of shorthand script or calligraphic style.<br/><br/> Cursive script originated in China during the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) through the Jin Dynasty period (266 - 420 CE), in two phases. First, an early form of cursive developed as a cursory way to write the popular and not yet mature clerical script. Faster ways to write characters developed through four mechanisms: omitting part of a graph, merging strokes together, replacing portions with abbreviated forms (such as one stroke to replace four dots), or modifying stroke styles.
Cursive script (simplified Chinese: 草书; traditional Chinese: 草書; pinyin: cǎoshū) is a style of Chinese calligraphy. Cursive script is faster to write than other styles, but difficult to read for those unfamiliar with it. It functions primarily as a kind of shorthand script or calligraphic style.<br/><br/> Cursive script originated in China during the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) through the Jin Dynasty period (266 - 420 CE), in two phases. First, an early form of cursive developed as a cursory way to write the popular and not yet mature clerical script. Faster ways to write characters developed through four mechanisms: omitting part of a graph, merging strokes together, replacing portions with abbreviated forms (such as one stroke to replace four dots), or modifying stroke styles.
The Classical Chinese character for money (貝) originated as a stylized drawing of a cowrie shell. Words and characters concerning money, property or wealth usually have this as a radical.
The Trưng Sisters (c. 12 - AD 43), known in Vietnamese as Hai Bà Trưng (literally 'the two Trưng Ladies'), and individually as Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị, were two first century Vietnamese women leaders who successfully rebelled against Chinese Han-Dynasty rule for three years, and are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam.<br/><br/> The sisters were born in Northern Vietnam, the dates of their birth are unknown, but Trưng Trắc was older than Trưng Nhị. The exact date of their death is also unknown but both died in AD 43.
The Trưng Sisters (c. 12 - AD 43), known in Vietnamese as Hai Bà Trưng (literally 'the two Trưng Ladies'), and individually as Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị, were two first century Vietnamese women leaders who successfully rebelled against Chinese Han-Dynasty rule for three years, and are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam.<br/><br/> The sisters were born in Northern Vietnam, the dates of their birth are unknown, but Trưng Trắc was older than Trưng Nhị. The exact date of their death is also unknown but both died in AD 43.
Emperor Wu of Han (pinyin: Hànwǔdì; Wade–Giles: Wu Ti), (156 –29 March, 87 BCE), personal name Liu Che, was the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty of China, ruling from 141 to 87 BEC. Emperor Wu is best remembered for the vast territorial expansion that occurred under his reign, as well as the strong and centralized Confucian state he organized.<br/><br/> He is cited in Chinese history as the greatest emperor of the Han dynasty and one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. Emperor Wu's effective governance made the Han Dynasty one of the most powerful nations in the world.<br/><br/> As a military campaigner, Emperor Wu led Han China through its greatest expansion — at its height, the Empire's borders spanned from modern Kyrgyzstan in the west, to Korea in the northeast, and to northern Vietnam in the south. Emperor Wu successfully repelled the nomadic Xiongnu from systematically raiding northern China and dispatched his envoy Zhang Qian in 139 BC to seek an alliance with the Yuezhi of modern Uzbekistan.<br/><br/> This resulted in further missions to Central Asia. Although historical records do not describe him as a follower of Buddhism, exchanges probably occurred as a consequence of these embassies, and there are suggestions that he received Buddhist statues from central Asia, as depicted in Mogao Caves murals.
Emperor Wu of Han (pinyin: Hànwǔdì; Wade–Giles: Wu Ti), (156 –29 March, 87 BCE), personal name Liu Che, was the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty of China, ruling from 141 to 87 BEC. Emperor Wu is best remembered for the vast territorial expansion that occurred under his reign, as well as the strong and centralized Confucian state he organized.<br/><br/> He is cited in Chinese history as the greatest emperor of the Han dynasty and one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. Emperor Wu's effective governance made the Han Dynasty one of the most powerful nations in the world.<br/><br/> As a military campaigner, Emperor Wu led Han China through its greatest expansion — at its height, the Empire's borders spanned from modern Kyrgyzstan in the west, to Korea in the northeast, and to northern Vietnam in the south. Emperor Wu successfully repelled the nomadic Xiongnu from systematically raiding northern China and dispatched his envoy Zhang Qian in 139 BC to seek an alliance with the Yuezhi of modern Uzbekistan.<br/><br/> This resulted in further missions to Central Asia. Although historical records do not describe him as a follower of Buddhism, exchanges probably occurred as a consequence of these embassies, and there are suggestions that he received Buddhist statues from central Asia, as depicted in Mogao Caves murals.
The Kizilgah Beacon Tower is about 6km west of Kuqa. This imposing structure, dating from the Han Dynasty (BC 206-220 AD), marks an antique Chinese garrison point on the former Northern Silk Road.
The Kizilgah Beacon Tower is about 6km west of Kuqa. This imposing structure, dating from the Han Dynasty (BC 206-220 AD), marks an antique Chinese garrison point on the former Northern Silk Road.
The Kizilgah Beacon Tower is about 6km west of Kuqa. This imposing structure, dating from the Han Dynasty (BC 206-220 AD), marks an antique Chinese garrison point on the former Northern Silk Road.
Emperor Wu of Han (pinyin: Hànwǔdì; Wade–Giles: Wu Ti), (156 –29 March, 87 BCE), personal name Liu Che, was the seventh emperor of the Han Dynasty of China, ruling from 141 to 87 BEC. Emperor Wu is best remembered for the vast territorial expansion that occurred under his reign, as well as the strong and centralized Confucian state he organized.<br/><br/> He is cited in Chinese history as the greatest emperor of the Han dynasty and one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history. Emperor Wu's effective governance made the Han Dynasty one of the most powerful nations in the world.<br/><br/> As a military campaigner, Emperor Wu led Han China through its greatest expansion — at its height, the Empire's borders spanned from modern Kyrgyzstan in the west, to Korea in the northeast, and to northern Vietnam in the south. Emperor Wu successfully repelled the nomadic Xiongnu from systematically raiding northern China and dispatched his envoy Zhang Qian in 139 BC to seek an alliance with the Yuezhi of modern Uzbekistan.<br/><br/> This resulted in further missions to Central Asia. Although historical records do not describe him as a follower of Buddhism, exchanges probably occurred as a consequence of these embassies, and there are suggestions that he received Buddhist statues from central Asia, as depicted in Mogao Caves murals.
Two Vietnamese women on elephant back represent the celebrated Trung Sisters (Hai Ba Trung) in the annual Hai Ba Trung Parade, Saigon, 26 April 1957.<br/><br/> The Trưng Sisters (c. 12 - AD 43), known in Vietnamese as Hai Bà Trưng (literally 'the two Trưng Ladies'), and individually as Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị, were two first century Vietnamese women leaders who successfully rebelled against Chinese Han-Dynasty rule for three years, and are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam.<br/><br/> The sisters were born in Northern Vietnam, the dates of their birth are unknown, but Trưng Trắc was older than Trưng Nhị. The exact date of their death is also unknown but both died in AD 43.
Emperor Gao (256 BC or 247 BC – 1 June 195 BC), commonly known within China by his temple name Gaozu (Wade-Giles: Kao Tsu), personal name Liu Bang, was the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, ruling over China from 202 BC to 195 BC. Liu was one of the few dynastic founders in Chinese history who emerged from the peasant class (another major example being Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty).<br/><br/> In the early stage of his rise to prominence, Liu was addressed as 'Duke of Pei', referring to his hometown of Pei County. He was also granted the title of 'King of Han' by Xiang Yu, when the latter split the former Qin empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. Liu was known by this title before becoming Emperor of China.
Emperor Guangwu (13 January 5 BCE – 29 March 57 CE), born Liu Xiu, was an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty, restorer of the dynasty in AD 25 and thus founder of the Later Han or Eastern Han (the restored Han Dynasty). Initially he ruled over part of China, but through the suppression and conquest of regional warlords, the whole of China was consolidated by the time of his death in 57.
Huangfu Mi was a Chinese scholar and physician during the late Han Dynasty, Three Kingdoms, and Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was born into a poor farming family in present-day Gansu province. Between 256 and 260, toward the end of the state of Cao Wei, he compiled the' Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion' (Pinyin: Zhēnjiŭ jiăyĭ jīng; Wade–Giles: Chen-chiu chia-i ching), a collection of various texts on acupuncture written in earlier periods.<br/><br/> This book in 12 volumes further divided into 128 chapters was one of the earliest systematic works on acupuncture and moxibustion, and it proved to be one of the most influential. Huangfu Mi also compiled 10 books in a series called 'Records of Emperors and Kings'.
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled Emperor Wu of Wei. Although often portrayed as a cruel and merciless tyrant, Cao has also been praised as a brilliant ruler and military genius who treated his subordinates like his family. He was also skilled in poetry and martial arts and authored many war journals.
Emperor Wen of Han (202 BC – 157 BC) was the fifth emperor of the Han Dynasty in China. In a move of lasting importance in 165 BC, Emperor Wen introduced recruitment to the civil service through examinations. Previously, potential officials never sat for any sort of academic examinations. Their names were sent by local officials to the central government based on reputations and abilities, which were sometimes judged subjectively.
Emperor Jing of Han (188 BC – 141 BC) was an emperor of China in the Han Dynasty from 156 BC to 141 BC. His reign saw the limit and curtailment of power of feudal princes which resulted in the Rebellion of the Seven States in 154 BC. Emperor Jing managed to crush the revolt and princes were thereafter denied rights to appoint ministers for their fief. This move consolidated central power which paved the way for the glorious and long reign of his son Emperor Wu of Han.
Emperor Guangwu (13 January 5 BCE – 29 March 57 CE), born Liu Xiu, was an emperor of the Chinese Han Dynasty, restorer of the dynasty in AD 25 and thus founder of the Later Han or Eastern Han (the restored Han Dynasty). Initially he ruled over part of China, but through the suppression and conquest of regional warlords, the whole of China was consolidated by the time of his death in 57.
Emperor Gao (256 BCE or 247 BCE – 1 June 195 BCE), commonly known within China by his temple name Gaozu (Wade-Giles: Kao Tsu), personal name Liu Bang, was the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, ruling over China from 202 BCE to 195 BCE. Liu was one of the few dynastic founders in Chinese history who emerged from the peasant class (another major example being Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty).<br/><br/> In the early stage of his rise to prominence, Liu was addressed as 'Duke of Pei', referring to his hometown of Pei County. He was also granted the title of 'King of Han' by Xiang Yu, when the latter split the former Qin empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. Liu was known by this title before becoming Emperor of China.
Emperor Gao (256 BCE or 247 BCE – 1 June 195 BCE), commonly known within China by his temple name Gaozu (Wade-Giles: Kao Tsu), personal name Liu Bang, was the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, ruling over China from 202 BCE to 195 BCE. Liu was one of the few dynastic founders in Chinese history who emerged from the peasant class (another major example being Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty).<br/><br/> In the early stage of his rise to prominence, Liu was addressed as 'Duke of Pei', referring to his hometown of Pei County. He was also granted the title of 'King of Han' by Xiang Yu, when the latter split the former Qin empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. Liu was known by this title before becoming Emperor of China.
Eastern Han Dynasty (23-220 CE) mural of a group of horses and a horse pulling a covered chariot and rider. One of 57 murals from the Helingeer Tomb in Inner Mongolia, the tomb of a prominent official, landowner, and colonel of the Wuhuan Army.
The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Sanhuang wudi; Wade–Giles: San-huang wu-ti) are a blend of mythological rulers and cultural heroes from ancient China dating loosely from the period from c.3500-2000 BCE. This represents the earliest period of recorded Chinese history and is regarded as largely mythological. In chronological terms it precedes the Xia Dynasty (c.2070-1600 BCE).<br/><br/> There are several variations as to who constitute the various Three Sovereigns and Seven Emperors. According to the Diwang Xishi or Record of Imperial Lineages, also called the 'Sovereign Series' in English, the Three Sovereigns were, in chronological sequence: Fuxi, Shennong and Huangdi. The same source lists the Five Emperors, again chronologically, as: Shaohao, Zhuanxu, Gaoxin, Yao and Shun.
The Mogao Caves, or Mogao Grottoes (Chinese: mò gāo kū), also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas and Dunhuang Caves, form a system of 492 temples 25 km (15.5 miles) southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China.<br/><br/> The caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of 1,000 years. The first caves were dug out 366 CE as places of Buddhist meditation and worship. The Mogao Caves are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes and, along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, are one of the three famous ancient sculptural sites of China. The caves also have famous wall paintings.
The Mogao Caves, or Mogao Grottoes (Chinese: mò gāo kū), also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas and Dunhuang Caves, form a system of 492 temples 25 km (15.5 miles) southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis strategically located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China.<br/><br/> The caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of 1,000 years. The first caves were dug out 366 AD as places of Buddhist meditation and worship. The Mogao Caves are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes and, along with Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes, are one of the three famous ancient sculptural sites of China. The caves also have famous wall paintings.
For millennia, archery has played a pivotal role in Chinese history. In particular, archery featured prominently in ancient Chinese culture and philosophy: archery was one of the Six Noble Arts of the Zhou dynasty (1146–256 BCE).<br/><br/> Archery skill was a virtue for Chinese emperors; Confucius himself was an archery teacher; and Lie Zi (a Daoist philosopher) was an avid archer. Because the cultures associated with Chinese society spanned a wide geography and time range, the techniques and equipment associated with Chinese archery are diverse.
Jin Midi (lived 134–86 BC) was born a prince of the nomadic Xiongnu, a confederation of Central Asian tribes that once dominated the eastern Eurasian Steppe. He was captured by Han-dynasty Chinese forces and made a slave who tended horses in the imperial stables. However, he gained the trust of Emperor Wu when he thwarted an assassination attempt against him. When Emperor Wu lay dying at his bedside, he designated Jin Midi, Huo Guang, and Shangguan Jie as regents to rule on behalf of his son Liu Fuling, then crown prince and later Emperor Zhao of Han.
Shennong (Vietnamese: Than Nong), also known as the Emperor of the Five Grains (Wugu xiandì), was a ruler of China and cultural hero who lived some 5,000 years ago and who taught the ancient Chinese the practice of agriculture. Appropriately, his name means ' Divine Farmer'. He is also believed to have discovered tea.<br/><br/> The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Sanhuang wudi; Wade–Giles: San-huang wu-ti) are a blend of mythological rulers and cultural heroes from ancient China dating loosely from the period from c.3500-2000 BCE. This represents the earliest period of recorded Chinese history and is regarded as largely mythological. In chronological terms it precedes the Xia Dynasty (c.2070-1600 BCE).<br/><br/> There are several variations as to who constitute the various Three Sovereigns and Seven Emperors. According to the Diwang Xishi or Record of Imperial Lineages, also called the 'Sovereign Series' in English, the Three Sovereigns were, in chronological sequence: Fuxi, Shennong and Huangdi. The same source lists the Five Emperors, again chronologically, as: Shaohao, Zhuanxu, Gaoxin, Yao and Shun.
The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Sanhuang wudi; Wade–Giles: San-huang wu-ti) are a blend of mythological rulers and cultural heroes from ancient China dating loosely from the period from c.3500-2000 BCE. This represents the earliest period of recorded Chinese history and is regarded as largely mythological. In chronological terms it precedes the Xia Dynasty (c.2070-1600 BCE).<br/><br/> There are several variations as to who constitute the various Three Sovereigns and Seven Emperors. According to the Diwang Xishi or Record of Imperial Lineages, also called the 'Sovereign Series' in English, the Three Sovereigns were, in chronological sequence: Fuxi, Shennong and Huangdi. The same source lists the Five Emperors, again chronologically, as: Shaohao, Zhuanxu, Gaoxin, Yao and Shun.
The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors (Sanhuang wudi; Wade–Giles: San-huang wu-ti) are a blend of mythological rulers and cultural heroes from ancient China dating loosely from the period from c.3500-2000 BCE. This represents the earliest period of recorded Chinese history and is regarded as largely mythological. In chronological terms it precedes the Xia Dynasty (c.2070-1600 BCE).<br/><br/> There are several variations as to who constitute the various Three Sovereigns and Seven Emperors. According to the Diwang Xishi or Record of Imperial Lineages, also called the 'Sovereign Series' in English, the Three Sovereigns were, in chronological sequence: Fuxi, Shennong and Huangdi. The same source lists the Five Emperors, again chronologically, as: Shaohao, Zhuanxu, Gaoxin, Yao and Shun.
The Eight Immortals (Chinese: Baxian; Pa-hsien) are a group of legendary 'xian' (immortals; transcendents; fairies) in Chinese mythology. Each Immortal's power can give life or destroy evil. Most of them are said to have been born in the Tang Dynasty or Song Dynasty. They are revered in Daoism (Taoism) and are also a popular element in secular Chinese culture. They are said to live on a group of five islands in the Bohai Sea which includes Penglai Mountain-Island. The Immortals are:<br/><br/> 1. Immortal Woman He (He Xiangu)<br/><br/> 2. Royal Uncle Cao (Cao Guojiu)<br/><br/> 3. Iron-Crutch Li (Tieguai Li)<br/><br/> 4. Lan Caihe<br/><br/> 5. Lu Dongbin, (leader) 6. Philosopher Han Xiang (Han Xiang Zi)<br/><br/> 7. Elder Zhang Guo (Zhang Guo Lao)<br/><br/> 8. Han Zhongli (Zhongli Quan)<br/><br/> In literature before the 1970s, they were sometimes translated as the Eight Genies. First described in the Yuan Dynasty, they were probably named after the Eight Immortal Scholars of the Han.
Two Vietnamese women on elephant back represent the celebrated Trung Sisters (Hai Ba Trung) in the annual Hai Ba Trung Parade, Saigon, 26 April 1957.<br/><br/> The Trưng Sisters (c. 12 - 43 CE), known in Vietnamese as Hai Bà Trưng (literally 'the two Trưng Ladies'), and individually as Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị, were two first century Vietnamese women leaders who successfully rebelled against Chinese Han-Dynasty rule for three years, and are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam.<br/><br/> The sisters were born in Northern Vietnam, the dates of their birth are unknown, but Trưng Trắc was older than Trưng Nhị. The exact date of their death is also unknown but both died in 43 CE.
Painting on a ceramic tile from the Chinese Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE). This figure, wearing Han Dynasty robes, represents the Guardian Spirit of Dawn (from 5 to 7 am).
Painting on a ceramic tile from the Chinese Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE). This figure, wearing Han Dynasty robes, represents the Guardian Spirit of Midnight (from 11 pm to 1 am).
The Han Dynasty (simplified Chinese: 汉朝; traditional Chinese: 漢朝; pinyin: Hàn Cháo; Wade–Giles: Han Ch'ao; 206 BCE – 220 CE) was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty (221–207 BCE) and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms (220–280 CE).<br/><br/> It was founded by the peasant rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty (9–23 CE) of the former regent Wang Mang. This interregnum separates the Han into two periods: the Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) and Eastern Han (25–220 CE).<br/><br/> Spanning over four centuries, the period of the Han Dynasty is considered a golden age in Chinese history. To this day, China's majority ethnic group refers to itself as the 'Han people' and Chinese characters are referred to as 'Han characters'.
Laozi (Lao Tzu, c. 6th century BCE, left), meeting with Confucius (Kong Zi, K'ung-tzu, K'ung-fu-tzu, 551– 479 BCE) in a Han Dynasty (206 BCE– 220 CE) fresco from Dongping County, Shandong Province. The fresco, painted with blue, green, black and red colours is found on the walls of a tomb at an old residential yard in Dongping county, southwestern Shandong, and is estimated to be about 2,000 years old.
A belt hook inlaid with gold and silver, from either the late Warring States Period (403–221 BCE) or early Western Han Dynasty (208 BCE-8 CE).
Ornemental belt buckle, decorated with a mythical animal and birds. Chiseled and hammered gold, late Han period, first or second century. Guimet Museum, Paris.
Zhongli Quan, also known as Han Zhongli and whose courtesy name was Jidao, is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals. Zhongli Quan was believed to have been born in the Han Dynasty, in Yanjing.<br/><br/> It is said that during his birth, bright beams of light filled the labour room, and that after he was born he did not stop crying for seven full days. His distince features marked him out for greatness however, and he began speaking fluently either after seven days or seven years. He followed in his father's footsteps and became a member of the imperial court, becoming a general in the Han army. He fought and was defeated by the Tibetans, causing him to flee into the mountains, where he came across an old man in a spiritual sanctuary. From there he learned the ways of alchemy and immortality.<br/><br/> Armed with his alchemical knowledge and a magic fan, he began creating silver and gold coins from stones and saved people from famine and poverty. One story tells that his constant use of his magical fan eventually caused his descent into the clouds of immortality. The other story claims that he was meditating in his hermitage when one of the walls collapsed revealing a jade vessel that contained the elixir of immortality.
A pottery tile of the Han Dynasty, depicting hunting and battle scenes containing emblematic figures of the 'five cardinal directions' (the four cardinal directions plus the centre).<br/><br/> The Four Symbols (Chinese: 四象; pinyin: Sì Xiàng) are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are the Azure Dragon, of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Turtle of the North. Each one of them represents a direction and a season, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. Symbolically and as part of spiritual and religious belief, they have been culturally important in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan
A pottery tile of the Han Dynasty, depicting hunting and battle scenes containing emblematic figures of the 'five cardinal directions' (the four cardinal directions plus the centre).<br/><br/> The Four Symbols (Chinese: 四象; pinyin: Sì Xiàng) are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are the Azure Dragon, of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Turtle of the North. Each one of them represents a direction and a season, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. Symbolically and as part of spiritual and religious belief, they have been culturally important in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan
A pottery tile of the Han Dynasty, depicting hunting and battle scenes containing emblematic figures of the 'five cardinal directions' (the four cardinal directions plus the centre).<br/><br/> The Four Symbols (Chinese: 四象; pinyin: Sì Xiàng) are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are the Azure Dragon, of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Turtle of the North. Each one of them represents a direction and a season, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. Symbolically and as part of spiritual and religious belief, they have been culturally important in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan
A pottery tile of the Han Dynasty, depicting hunting and battle scenes containing emblematic figures of the 'five cardinal directions' (the four cardinal directions plus the centre).<br/><br/> The Four Symbols (Chinese: 四象; pinyin: Sì Xiàng) are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are the Azure Dragon, of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Turtle of the North. Each one of them represents a direction and a season, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. Symbolically and as part of spiritual and religious belief, they have been culturally important in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan
A pottery tile of the Han Dynasty, depicting hunting and battle scenes containing emblematic figures of the 'five cardinal directions' (more precisely, the four cardinal directions plus the centre). The five sacred mountains of China are also associated with these 'five cardinal directions'.
A pottery tile of the Han Dynasty, depicting hunting and battle scenes containing emblematic figures of the 'five cardinal directions' (the four cardinal directions plus the centre).<br/><br/> The Four Symbols (Chinese: 四象; pinyin: Sì Xiàng) are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are the Azure Dragon, of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Turtle of the North. Each one of them represents a direction and a season, and each has its own individual characteristics and origins. Symbolically and as part of spiritual and religious belief, they have been culturally important in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan
Huangfu Mi was a Chinese scholar and physician during the late Han Dynasty, Three Kingdoms, and Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was born into a poor farming family in present-day Gansu province. Between 256 and 260, toward the end of the state of Cao Wei, he compiled the' Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion' (Pinyin: Zhēnjiŭ jiăyĭ jīng; Wade–Giles: Chen-chiu chia-i ching), a collection of various texts on acupuncture written in earlier periods.<br/><br/> This book in 12 volumes further divided into 128 chapters was one of the earliest systematic works on acupuncture and moxibustion, and it proved to be one of the most influential. Huangfu Mi also compiled 10 books in a series called 'Records of Emperors and Kings'.