Many early Chinese texts were composed before the End of the Han dynasty in 220 CE. They involved numerous Confucian classics, such as the Four Books and Five Classics, alongside poetry, dictionaries, histories and surveys on topics such as mathematics, astronomy, music and medicine, among others.
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The Chinese classics or canonical texts are the works of Chinese literature authored prior to the establishment of the imperial Qin dynasty in 221 BC. Prominent examples include the Four Books and Five Classics in the Neo-Confucian tradition, themselves an abridgment of the Thirteen Classics. The Chinese classics used a form of written Chinese consciously imitated by later authors, now known as Classical Chinese. A common Chinese word for "classic" literally means 'warp thread', in reference to the techniques by which works of this period were bound into volumes.
The Tao Te Ching or Laozi is a Chinese classic text and foundational work of Taoism traditionally credited to the sage Laozi, though the text's authorship, date of composition and date of compilation are debated. The oldest excavated portion dates to the late 4th century BC.
Fajia, or the School of fa, often translated as Legalism, is a school of mainly Warring States period classical Chinese philosophy. Often characterized in the West along realist lines, its ideas contributed greatly to the formation of the early bureaucratic Chinese empire, and early elements of Daoism. The later Han takes Guan Zhong as a forefather of the Fajia. Its more Legalistic figures include ministers Li Kui and Shang Yang, and more Daoistic figures Shen Buhai and philosopher Shen Dao, with the late Han Feizi drawing on both. As written by Sima Qian, later centuries associated Xun Kuang as a teacher of Han Fei and Li Si. The Qin to Tang were more characterized by its traditions.
Shen Dao was a Chinese philosopher and writer. He was a Chinese Legalist theoretician most remembered for his influence on Han Fei with regards to the concept of shi, but most of his book concerns the concept of fa more commonly shared by his school. Compared with western schools, Shen Dao considered laws that are not good "still preferable to having no laws at all."
Wu wei is an ancient Chinese concept which has a polymorphic meaning that expresses "inexertion", "inaction", or "effortless action". Wu wei emerged in the Spring and Autumn period. With early literary examples, as an idea, in the Classic of Poetry, it becomes an important concept in the Confucian Analects, Chinese statecraft, and Daoism. It was most commonly used to refer to an ideal form of government, including the behavior of the emperor, describing a state of personal harmony, free-flowing spontaneity and laissez-faire. It generally denotes a state of spirit that is a state of being that has a congruent connection between intention and action that was integrally connected to the Confucian ethics of practical morality.
The Huainanzi is an ancient Chinese text consisting of a collection of essays resulting from a series of scholarly debates held at the court of Liu An, Prince of Huainan before 139 BCE. Compiled as a handbook for an enlightened sovereign and his court, the work attempts to define the conditions for a perfect socio-political order, derived mainly from a perfect ruler. Including Chinese folk theories of yin and yang and Wu Xing, the Huainanzi draws on Taoist, Legalist, Confucian, and Mohist concepts, but subverts the latter three in favor of a less active ruler as prominent in the early Han dynasty before the Emperor Wu. The work is otherwise notable as a primary evidence of Zhuangzi influence in the Han.
The history ofTaoism stretches throughout Chinese history. Originating in prehistoric China, it has exerted a powerful influence over Chinese culture throughout the ages. Taoism evolved in response to changing times, with its doctrine and associated practices being revised and refined. The acceptance of Taoism by the ruling class has waxed and waned, alternately enjoying periods of favor and rejection. Most recently, Taoism has emerged from a period of suppression and is undergoing a revival in China.
The Huangdi Sijing are ancient Chinese texts thought to be long-lost, manuscripts of which however were discovered among the Mawangdui Silk Texts in 1973. Also known as the Huang-Lao boshu, they are thought by modern scholars to reflect a lost branch of early syncretist Daoism, referred to as the "Huang–Lao school of thought" named after the legendary Huangdi and Laozi. One finds in it "technical jargon" derived of Taoism, Legalism, Confucianism and Mohism.
Journey to the West is a Chinese television series adapted from the 16th-century novel of the same title. Production for the 66 episodes long series started on 12 September 2009, and it was first broadcast in mainland China on 28 July 2011 on TVS. The series was produced by Zhang Jizhong and was released a year later than another television series of the same title, but with a different cast and crew.
Huang–Lao was the most influential Chinese school of thought in the early Han dynasty, having its origins in a broader political-philosophical drive looking for solutions to strengthen the feudal order as depicted in Zhou politics. Not systematically explained by historiographer Sima Qian, it is generally interpreted as a school of Syncretism, developing into a major religion, the beginnings of religious Taoism.
Shenyin Shu or Shenyin Xu was a general of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. He was a great-grandson of King Zhuang of Chu.
Duke Dao of Qi was from 488 to 485 BC ruler of the State of Qi, a major power during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. His personal name was Lü Yangsheng (呂陽生), ancestral name Jiang, and Duke Dao was his posthumous title. Before ascending the throne he was known as Prince Yangsheng.
Yangzhou, Yangchow or Yang Province was one of the Nine Provinces of ancient China mentioned in historical texts such as the Tribute of Yu, Erya and Rites of Zhou.
Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms by Pei Songzhi (372–451) is an annotation completed in the 5th century of the 3rd century historical text Records of the Three Kingdoms, compiled by Chen Shou. After leaving his native land, Pei Songzhi became the Gentleman of Texts under the Liu Song Dynasty, and was given the assignment of editing the book, which was completed in 429. This became the official history of the Three Kingdoms period, under the title Sanguozhi zhu.
Heshang Gong is the reputed author of one of the earliest commentaries on the Tao Te Ching of Laozi to survive to modern times, which is dated to the latter part of the Han dynasty. He was reputedly a reclusive Chinese hermit from the 1st century CE.
Taoist philosophy also known as Taology refers to the various philosophical currents of Taoism, a tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in harmony with the Dào. The Dào is a mysterious and deep principle that is the source, pattern and substance of the entire universe.
Sun Yueh was a Taiwanese actor.
Fung Hak-on was a Hong Kong actor. He appears in Hong Kong films since the 1960s until mid 2010s.
Cheng Xuanying, courtesy name Zishi (子實), was a Taoist monk known to posterity as the "Master of Doctrines at Xihua Abbey“ (西華法師) and was one of the principal representatives of the "School of Double Mystery" (Chongxuan) during the reigns of the emperors Taizong and Gaozong of the Tang dynasty. He is mainly known for his commentaries to the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi.
Austin Wai Tin-chi was a Hong Kong actor and choreographer. He was the elder brother of actress Kara Wai. He had notable roles in the martial arts films like The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, 5 Superfighters, The Avenging Eagle and Flash Point.