Culture across the Tang, Song, and Ming Dynasties
Many countries experienced cultural changes as they evolved into the places we know now. There is no empire that is the same today as it was over 2000 years ago. Over the course of the Tang (618-906), Song (960-1279), and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties, China's culture altered to fit the evolution of the people, which formed it into the country it is today.
The first dynasty, the Tang, was very diverse, which is most likely due to the high activity on the Silk Road. Music was broadened, people found different types of music while traveling along the Silk Road, “Before the end of the [Tang] dynasty there were 10 musical categories, several of them foreign.” (1). Artists such as poets, painters and sculptors became common. Poetry would extend into the Song dynasty, because it was so popular among the people. One was expected to have a poem for formal dinners and as a guest in someone’s home, “During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong… it is rightfully ranked as the classical period of Chinese art and literature, as it set the high standard to which later poets, painters, and sculptors aspired.” (2). Different religions such as Buddhism were adopted. Civilians favored the non-violence and enlightenment that Buddhism offered. “From 618 to 907 A.D., Buddhism flourished and gradually became localized as an important part of Chinese traditional culture.” (3). However, many people like Han Yu, for example, argued against Buddhism because it was non-Chinese, the economy was headed downhill since no one paid taxes, and if it continued China would be a laughing stock to other countries. “It [Buddhism] did not exist here in ancient times. … old and young alike had abandoned their occupations to follow [Buddhism]. … Then will our old ways be corrupted, our customs violated, and the tale will spread to make us the mockery of the world.” (4). During this dynasty, China was very different than it was before, adopting a new...