【Preface】
The Xia Dynasty was the first recorded dynasty in Chinese history and the starting point of Chinese civilization. Although the Xia Dynasty is not as important and influential in history as later dynasties such as the Zhou Dynasty and the Qin Dynasty, the Xia culture still has an important place in Chinese history. From the perspective of the relationship between the Xia, Yi and Shang ethnic groups, this paper discusses the characteristics and influence of Xia culture.
【Text】
I. The background of the relationship between the Xia, Yi and Shang ethnic groups
The relationship between the Xia, Yi and Shang ethnic groups is one of the core issues of Xia culture. According to the "Records of History" and other documents, the ancestor of the Xia Dynasty was Yu, and Yu's father Cang had treated water for Dayu, but Cang made a mistake in controlling the water, resulting in the flood raging and was killed by Dayu. Later, Dayu inherited his father's business and successfully managed the flood and established the Xia Dynasty. The rulers of the Xia Dynasty belonged to the Xia ethnic group, but under the rule of the Xia Dynasty, there were other ethnic groups, among which the Yi and Shang were two more important ethnic groups.
The Yi people were neighbors of the Xia Dynasty, and according to the Book of Shang, the Yi people lived in the south and southwest of the Xia Dynasty and were the "barbarians" of the Xia Dynasty. There were wars, trade, and marriages between the Yi and Xia. In the middle of the Xia Dynasty, the power of the Yi tribe gradually became stronger and formed a long-term confrontational relationship with the Xia clan.
The Shang were an internal ethnic group of the Xia Dynasty, and it is rumored that the Shang were descendants of Dayu. The Shang lived in the central region of the Xia Dynasty and had a complex relationship with the Xia. In the late Xia Dynasty, the Shang gradually rose and clashed with the Xia Dynasty, eventually overthrowing the Xia Dynasty and establishing the Shang Dynasty.
The background of the relationship between the Xia, Yi and Shang ethnic groups illustrates the diversity and inclusiveness of Xia culture. During its reign, the Xia Dynasty was able to not only maintain relations with neighboring countries, but also accommodate the presence of other ethnic groups. This diversity and inclusiveness is one of the important characteristics of Xia culture.
Second, the characteristics of Xia culture
- Theocratic culture
The Xia Dynasty was a society with theocracy at its core. The theocratic system of the Xia Dynasty mainly consisted of three parts: heaven, earth, and ancestors. Heaven was the supreme god of the Xia Dynasty and the religious authority of the Xia Dynasty monarchs. The land is the land god of the Xia Dynasty, and the monarchs and people of the Xia Dynasty need to pray to the earth god for a good harvest and peace. Ancestors were deities revered by the Xia Dynasty, who believed that ancestors could bless their descendants and families.
In the Xia Dynasty, theocratic culture permeated various aspects, such as politics, economy, military, etiquette, and other fields. The monarchs of the Xia Dynasty needed to rely on the power of God to govern the country, and the people also needed to obey God's rules to receive blessings. Theocratic culture had a profound impact on the formation and development of Xia culture.
- Traditional culture
The Xia Dynasty is the starting point of Chinese civilization, so the Xia culture has a strong traditional cultural color. During the Xia Dynasty, the ancestors created many important cultural heritages, such as classic works such as the Book of Poetry, the Book of Shangshu, and the Book of Rites. These classic works reflect the political, economic, cultural, religious and other aspects of the Xia Dynasty, and are important materials for the study of Xia culture.
The tradition of Xia culture is manifested in many aspects, such as etiquette, religion, literature, art and other fields. The ceremonial system of the Xia Dynasty was the basis of the ancient Chinese ceremonial system, and the religious beliefs and sacrificial rituals of the Xia Dynasty also had a profound impact on later history. The literature and art of the Xia culture also have unique styles and characteristics, such as the literary style of the Book of Poetry and the artistic style of bronze.
- Agrarian culture
The Xia Dynasty is a representative of Chinese farming culture, which is an important part of Xia culture. During the Xia Dynasty, agriculture was the main pillar of the country's economy, and the rulers of the Xia Dynasty also made farming the focus of national development. During the Xia Dynasty, agricultural technology was greatly developed, such as water conservancy engineering, farming technology, planting methods, etc. The farming culture of the Xia Dynasty has an important place in Chinese history, influencing the development of Chinese agriculture and farmers.
- Social hierarchy
The Xia Dynasty was a society with a clear social hierarchy. The social hierarchy of the Xia Dynasty mainly included three levels: nobles, commoners, and slaves. The nobility of the Xia Dynasty was the ruling class of society, owning land and wealth, and wielding political and military power. Commoners were the majority of the Xia dynasty, who lived by cultivating the land or engaging in handicrafts. Slaves were the lowest level of Xia Dynasty society, exploited and oppressed by nobles and commoners, and their lives were very difficult.
The social hierarchy of the Xia Dynasty had a profound impact on the formation and development of Xia culture. The nobles of the Xia Dynasty held the power and resources of society, and they had a profound influence on politics, culture, art and other fields. The commoners and slaves of the Xia Dynasty were restricted and exploited economically and socially, and this unequal social situation also affected the development of Xia culture.
- Ideological culture
The ideological and cultural aspects of Xia culture are mainly manifested in Confucianism and the idea of the Mandate of Heaven. Confucianism is one of the most important ideas in ancient China, and Confucianism during the Xia Dynasty mainly included core values such as respect for ancestors, etiquette, loyalty and filial piety, and benevolence. The monarchs and nobles of the Xia Dynasty attached great importance to etiquette and filial piety, and these concepts were regarded as important cornerstones of social order and family ethics.
The idea of the Mandate of Heaven was another important aspect of Xia culture, and people during the Xia Dynasty believed that the Mandate of Heaven was the force that determined the fate of mankind, and that the monarch and the people had to follow the Mandate of Heaven in order to be blessed by God. The idea of the Mandate of Heaven had a profound impact on the political and social development of the Xia Dynasty, and also became an important part of ancient Chinese political thought and culture.
- epilogue
From the above analysis, it can be seen that from the perspective of the relationship between the Xia, Yi and Shang ethnic groups, the following conclusions can be drawn: Xia culture has a strong theocratic cultural color, and traditional culture, farming culture, social hierarchy and ideological culture are important parts of Xia culture. The formation and development of Xia culture is inseparable from the relationship between the Xia, Yi and Shang ethnic groups, and the conflict and integration between the three ethnic groups have promoted the development and evolution of Xia culture.
Xia culture is an important part of Chinese culture and one of the important sources of Chinese civilization. The value and influence of Xia culture has an important position in Chinese history, and has had a profound impact on ancient Chinese culture, politics, society, art and other fields. At the same time, Xia culture is also an important part of world culture, and its influence is not limited to China, but also profoundly affects the cultural development of neighboring countries and regions.
In today's world, Xia culture, as an important part of Chinese civilization, still has important practical significance. The traditional culture and values promoted by Xia culture provide valuable reference and enlightenment for today's society. The Confucianism and the Mandate of Heaven advocated by Xia Culture have far-reaching significance for the moral construction and national governance of contemporary China. The inheritance and development of Xia culture will help promote the diversified development of Chinese culture and the exchange and mutual learning of world cultures, so as to make greater contributions to the progress and development of human civilization.
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