History of Chinese Culture

History_of_Chinese_Culture

History of Chinese Culture

中国文化史

Material and Immaterial Civilization from Neolithic Origins to the Digital Age

Martin Woesler

Hunan Normal University

European University Press, 2026

Table of Contents

PART I: FOUNDATIONS

Chapter 1: What Is "Chinese Culture"?

Chapter 2: Neolithic and Bronze Age Cultures

Chapter 3: The Formative Period — Zhou Ritual Culture and the Axial Age

PART II: THE IMPERIAL SYNTHESIS

Chapter 4: Qin-Han Unification and the Creation of a Shared Culture

Chapter 5: Buddhism, Daoism, and the Transformation of Chinese Culture

Chapter 6: Tang Dynasty — The Cosmopolitan Golden Age

Chapter 7: Song Dynasty — Technology, Urbanization, and the Culture of Refinement

PART III: LATE IMPERIAL CULTURE

Chapter 8: The Yuan Dynasty — Mongol Rule and Cultural Adaptation

Chapter 9: Ming Dynasty — Restoration, Refinement, and the Beginnings of Globalization

Chapter 10: Qing Dynasty Culture I — The Manchu-Chinese Synthesis

Chapter 11: Qing Dynasty Culture II — Popular Culture, Local Society, and Material Life

PART IV: MODERN TRANSFORMATIONS

Chapter 12: The Encounter with Western Modernity and the Crisis of Chinese Culture

Chapter 13: Culture under Mao — Revolution, Destruction, and Reinvention

Chapter 14: Reform Era — Cultural Revival, Commercialization, and Globalization

Chapter 15: Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Overseas Chinese Cultures

PART V: THE ARTS AND EXPRESSIVE CULTURE

Chapter 16: The Chinese Writing System — Script, Calligraphy, and Cultural Identity

Chapter 17: Chinese Religions and Belief Systems

Chapter 18: Architecture and the Built Environment

Chapter 19: Chinese Art — Painting, Sculpture, and the Decorative Arts

Chapter 20: Music, Opera, and Performing Arts

PART VI: MATERIAL CULTURE AND DAILY LIFE

Chapter 21: Food Culture — Cuisine, Tea, and the Art of Eating

Chapter 22: Clothing, Adornment, and the Culture of the Body

Chapter 23: Festivals, Customs, and the Ritual Year

PART VII: KNOWLEDGE, EXCHANGE, AND IDENTITY

Chapter 24: Science, Technology, and Innovation in Chinese Culture

Chapter 25: Education, Examinations, and the Culture of Learning

Chapter 26: Cultural Exchange — China and the World

Chapter 27: The Question of Cultural Identity

PART VIII: HERITAGE AND THE FUTURE

Chapter 28: Material Culture and Intangible Heritage

Chapter 29: Chinese Culture in the Digital Age

Chapter 30: Conclusion — Chinese Culture in World Perspective

About This Project

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Status: ⚙ In Progress(2026)