Chinese Civilization Concepts

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Ethnocentrism

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The belief that your people (or ethnic group) are superior to others.

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Middle Kingdom

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The Chinese term for their civilization, reflecting their ethnocentric view that they are the center of all.

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River of Sorrows

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Nickname for the Huang He River due to its tendency toward devastating floods that have killed millions.

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Mandate of Heaven

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The Chinese "divine right of kings": the idea that gods gave the kings the right to rule (the Mandate could be lost).

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Dynastic Cycle

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Reoccurring history of ruling families: start of dynasty, good times, bad times, new dynasty takes over.

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Irrigation

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The act of supplying water to crops.

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Yin and Yang

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Philosophical idea that all the universe consists of opposites that must be in harmony.

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Calligraphy

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The art of writing with a brush.

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The Warring States Period

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Era of several centuries in which Chinese states fought one another in a vicious civil war.

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Philosophy

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A set of ideas about life or how to live it.