The Zhou Dynasty
In the Wei Valley, a group of people called the Zhou lived west of the Huang. The Zhou were also farmers.
The Zhou worshiped an impersonal power called tian, or heaven. They did not believe their priests could communicate with tian, however, they believed tian was simply a power that demanded right behavior and good government. They believed that tian required this of the king especially, who they called the "son of heaven." If a king ruled well, he earned heaven's support, called the "mandate of heaven." if he ruled poorly or was evil, he lost the mandate of heaven and was overthrown.
To the ancient Chinese, the imaginary dragon was king of all animals. Dragons with five claws on each foot symbolized an emperor. Nonroyal dragons had four claws.
The Zhou worshiped an impersonal power called tian, or heaven. They did not believe their priests could communicate with tian, however, they believed tian was simply a power that demanded right behavior and good government. They believed that tian required this of the king especially, who they called the "son of heaven." If a king ruled well, he earned heaven's support, called the "mandate of heaven." if he ruled poorly or was evil, he lost the mandate of heaven and was overthrown.
To the ancient Chinese, the imaginary dragon was king of all animals. Dragons with five claws on each foot symbolized an emperor. Nonroyal dragons had four claws.
Chinese Writing
In 2000 B.C., the earliest writers scratched small pictures onto bones and shells. Turtle shells were sometimes used to write on in ancient China.
In 600 B.C., writing started to look less like a picture.
In 300 A.D., writers began to use brushes and their lines got longer.
Today, the Chinese use characters to simplify their writing.
In 600 B.C., writing started to look less like a picture.
In 300 A.D., writers began to use brushes and their lines got longer.
Today, the Chinese use characters to simplify their writing.
The Qin Dynasty
In the last years of the Zhou dynasty, the feudal state of Qin became very powerful.
In 256 B.C., Qin forces defeated the last Zhou ruler and spread their control over more of China.
