Download A Look At Daily Life in Ancient China

A Look At Daily Life in Ancient
China
RELIGION
Religion in ancient
China was divided
into Confucianism,
Buddhism and
Daoism. The
ancient Chinese
believed in a ying
and a yang .
They built pagodas
in order to “bless”
surrounding towns
and villages and in
order to worship..
Class structure was very important
during this time.
Most of the people were peasants
and there was the small number of
nobles and Kings.
The difference of wealth between
the peasants and the nobles and
kings was very large.
Most of the time, the peasants were
living in huts or little houses made
out of mud and bamboo.
They did not even have a floor as we
know it today.
On the other hand, the nobles and
kings built lavish palaces and
summer homes that were also
made out of mud and wood, but
looked a whole lot better.
They were decorated with lavish
objects such as candles held by
bronze candlesticks.
Women
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For women daily life was filled with
taking care of the home and the
children.
The structure and difference
between genders was greatly
emphasized.
The women must respect and obey
their husbands at all times.
If a woman did something wrong, her
family would be in disgrace.
The male had much more power over
the household than the females.
The eldest male (usually the father)
was in charge and dominated the
affairs of all the family members.
He dictated their daily doings.
WORK
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Since most people were peasants, they
usually did not have anything else to do for
work other than farm.
This was perhaps one of the poorest
occupations of that time.
Merchants did a little better.
Farmers always had the hardest time.
The peasants worked from day to night and
they did not even own the land that they
worked on.
The property was usually owned by the
noble or king.
In addition to working on the noble’s land ,
the farmer had to give gifts to the noble.
So, whenever the peasants-farmer had
something extra or nice, he could not keep it
and had to give it up to the noble or king.
This was so that he could stay in his place
and not become as proud as the nobles.
CELEBRATIONS
• The peasants celebrated the
Spring Festival.
• Usually at this time the young
people got together and they
usually paired up and some of
them were even married.
• This celebration was held
every year in order to assure a
good harvest (or a good year)
and is the equivalent to the
Chinese New Year.