What Is China's Art

China is one of the world's oldest surviving civilizations in the world. From the Xia Dynasty in (2100-1700 BCE) up to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), China's colorful history is not only exclusively told in textbooks but also clearly depicted in real life in the form of sculptures, paintings, potteries, jade jewelries and even Terra cottars that guard China's most successful king.
Characteristics of Chinese Arts

China's cultural awareness and development came into being depending on the dynasties that ruled each historical period as well as the trade relations it has with its neighbors. In the early days of Chinese arts, people were attuned with nature and as such, most of the cultural pieces found depict nature as its central theme. Paintings or calligraphists show landscapes, animals, plants (commonly bamboo or flowers).

As time passes and dynasties changed, religious and social themes became popular especially in depicting Confucian and Buddhism teachings. Paintings showcase important government figures such as the emperor, the magistrates and generals representing wisdom and benevolence to the people and serving as a warning to evil doers.

Symbolism has also played an important role in Chinese arts as the people believe that objects represent morals and human qualities. Many paintings have bamboo drawn representing a person's strong spirit, jades represent purity and dragons often symbolize the emperor.
Effects of Dynasties on China's Art

The Sang Dynasty is known as the Bronze Age in Chinese history as the use of bronze reached its peak at that time. Bronze was used for ritual vases as well as art decorations. Chinese calligraphy also became popular during these times and varying degrees of brushstrokes were used to create a painting.

The Zhou Dynasty changed the demand for bronze as medium of art with the use of iron and became known as the Iron Age for the Chinese people. Sculptures were made with iron and ornaments made of the metal were inlaid with gold and silver.

The Qin Dynasty paved the way for a unified China. Although art was not given priority, the Qin gave the world the terracotta army. The Terracotta army is composed of 8000 statues and 520 horses and thousands of craftsmen and workers for the emperor to guard him in the afterlife.
Another great contributor to the country's art and culture is the Han Dynasty. The dynasty was known for its export of silk and introduction of lacquer. It was also responsible for the development of paper production thus increasing the materials for painting and writing.

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