金声玉振，中国出东方：解读易华教授《夷夏先后说》
By [Your Name], Former Journalist for Xinhua News Agency, People’sDaily, CCTV, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times
Introduction:
The profound depth and enduring influence of Chinese culture have long fascinated scholars.Why is it so unique? Why has it developed to such a high degree? For years, the question of Chinese cultural origins has lingered, with many seeking answerswithin the confines of China’s borders. However, Professor Yi Hua of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in his groundbreaking work Yi Xia Xian Hou Shuo (The Precedence ofYi and Xia), offers a compelling and evidence-based alternative.
The Gold and Jade Synthesis:
Professor Yi Hua, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach encompassing archaeology, history, physical anthropology, and linguistics, argues that Chinese culturepossesses a unique double helix structure. This structure is a fusion of two distinct cultural forces: the Xia culture, symbolized by bronze (gold), originating from the West, and the Yi culture, symbolized by jade, rooted in the East.
Around 4,000 years ago,these two cultural forces converged, forming the foundation of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. This dynamic interaction, aptly described by Professor Yi Hua as the resonance of gold and jade, shaped the very essence of Chinese civilization.
Beyond a Single Origin:
Professor Yi Hua’s research challenges the traditional view of Chinesecivilization as solely originating from sedentary agriculture or solely from external influences. He demonstrates that Chinese civilization is a complex and dynamic fusion of these two forces, resulting in a unique and enduring cultural tapestry.
Evidence of the Fusion:
Professor Yi Hua meticulously cites evidence for this cultural synthesis, highlighting key examples:
- Domesticated Animals and Crops: The integration of Western livestock (cattle, horses, sheep) with Eastern domesticated animals (pigs, dogs, chickens) created the six livestock. Similarly, the combination of Western wheat with Eastern rice, millet, sorghum, and beans formed the five grains.
- Agricultural Techniques:While the plow was introduced from the West, the traditional Eastern tools of the hoe and spade remained essential, creating a unique agricultural system.
- Material Culture: Silk, originating in the East, spread westward, while woolen blankets were introduced from the West. The combination of silk and wool in the form of silk carpetssymbolized the cultural exchange between East and West.
- Transportation: Boats, a traditional Eastern invention, met with chariots from Central Asia, creating a diverse transportation network in the heartland of China.
- Construction: While rammed earth construction was an Eastern innovation, bricks from the West were incorporated into the constructionof city walls, demonstrating a fusion of architectural styles.
- Burial Practices: The Eastern tradition of earth burial coexisted with the Western practice of cremation, showcasing the integration of distinct funerary customs.
- Cultural Values: The ancient Chinese tradition of ritual and music (li and le) combined with thewarrior culture of Central Asia, shaping the core values of the Chinese state.
- Jade and Bronze: The ancient jade culture of the East, with its symbolic significance, fused with the bronze technology of the West, creating a unique artistic and cultural expression.
Conclusion:
Professor Yi Hua’s Yi Xia XianHou Shuo offers a groundbreaking perspective on the origins of Chinese civilization. By recognizing the dynamic interaction of Eastern and Western cultural forces, he sheds light on the complexity and richness of Chinese culture. This fusion, aptly described as the resonance of gold and jade, created a unique and enduring civilization that continues to inspire andinfluence the world today.
References:
- Yi Hua. (2012). Yi Xia Xian Hou Shuo (The Precedence of Yi and Xia). Beijing: Nationalities Publishing House.
- [Additional relevant sources, if applicable]
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