China: History, Festivals, Politics and Religion - Report Example

China History Chinese history can be traced back three or four thousand years ago. Due to the vastness of China, dynasties have risen and fallen manytimes throughout Chinese history. There have been periods of time when multiple dynasties have ruled certain areas because there has not been unity in the land. The major dynasty was the Xia dynasty, which lasted for approximately 500 years from the year 2100 B.C. As the oldest modern Chinese dynasty, very little is known about this period of time, with some experts even questioning if the Xia dynasty really did exist. The next dynasty to control China, the Shang dynasty, lasted for almost 600 years until about 1000 B.C. One difference with this dynasty is that there is far greater archaeological evidence, such as written records. Over the next 1,000 years or so, the Zhou and Han dynasties controlled much of China. The first major Chinese dynasty of the modern era was the Tang dynasty, which ruled for close to 300 years until 900 A.D. This was a time in which art, poetry, and technology flourished. Also, Buddhism became the religion of choice for most people. A few hundred years later the Ming dynasty came to power in 1368 A.D. after overthrowing the Mongols. In was during this dynasty that the Great Wall of China was completed to the state in which it stands today. The dynasty that followed, the Qing dynasty, would become the final imperial dynasty in Chinese history. The Qing dynasty lasted two and a half centuries before the Xinhai Revolution took over and led China in modern times. Festivals There are many festivals in Chinese culture, but the most famous of them would have to be Chinese New Year. The date on which Chinese New Year falls changes every year because it is based on the Chinese calendar, which is defined by the phase of the moon. Chinese New Year is often celebrated through fireworks and traditional dances in Chinese costume. The holiday is also a time for families to get together. Most traditional Chinese families sit down for a meal the night before Chinas New Years Day. Known as Nian Ye Fan, it is the responsibility of the oldest member of the family to host the meal. Often eight dishes are served because the number is auspicious in Chinese culture. If a family member has died during the previous 12 months, then only seven dishes are served to respect the dead. This is also a time to get rid of any bad fortune and wish for good luck in the coming year. Although Chinese New Year changes each year depending on the phase of the moon, it is often held somewhere between mid-January and mid-February according to the Western calendar. Each Chinese New Year is assigned the symbol of an animal that will represent good or bad luck or fortune for the coming year. The twelve animals used are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each animal is represented every twelve years after going through a full cycle. Under the Chinese calendar, the year 2014 is the year of the horse. The horse can represent many things, such as new beginnings, but most of all it is a year for marriage or divorce. Politics After thousands of years of imperial rule, in 1911 China entered a period of political upheaval. After the Second World War, Mao Zedong came out on top and adopted a communist system of government. The Communist Party of China became the government of China and implemented a series of reforms. However, during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s many Chinese people starved to death. Mao Zedong died in 1976 but his ideals lived on. Despite this, many high profile officials in the Community Party knew that the country had to adopt some economic reform in order to compete in the global economy. Central government decision making was decentralized somewhat to allow more liberal economic policies, although the Communist Party still kept a tight watch on things. In 1989 pro-democracy activists protested against Communist rule in Tiananmen Square, but they were defeated and any democratic reforms from a political viewpoint were crushed. As of today the Communist Party has 82 million members, making it the largest political party in the world in terms of membership. Although the Chinese economy has been liberated from Communist policies, at a political level China still very much remains a Communist country. There are not open elections and the leadership of the party is dictated in-house. The President and other holders of political office are chosen or hand-picked by the National Peoples Congress. In 2013, President Xi Jinping was appointed as leader of the Communist Party for a five-year term. Religion China has experienced many different religions over its long history. Confucianism and Taoism were the dominant religions a couple of thousand years ago. Chinese culture has also had a large effect on religious beliefs, with family the central theme. Some Chinese religious scholars do not see Confucianism or Taoism as religions but more as ways of living. Chinese religion was largely controlled by emperors throughout the centuries. Buddhism spread from India around 1000 A.D. and was practiced by many Chinese people for hundreds of years. When the Communist Party of China took over in 1949, it took full control of the religious activities of its citizens. Only four religions were permitted: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Christianity, although the last one commonly suffers from persecution. Many Chinese people also believe in ancestral worship through folk religions. Apart from this, most Chinese citizens would call themselves Buddhist. Christianity is seen as a Western religion in China. The first missionaries, mostly Jesuits, came in the 16th century. Protestant and Catholic missionaries followed later, but did not make a dent in the largely Buddhist and Taoist population. When the Communist Party came to power, all foreign missionaries were sent home and Christian churches were shut down. In the 1970s religious freedoms were given back to Christians, although the Communist Party still has overall control over the spread of the religion. Read More