Mutual Learning Among Chinese Nationalities
2 min readMutual Learning Among Chinese Nationalities
Chinese culture is not an isolated，closed culture.One reason for its long history lies in its attribute of openness.This openness first rests on the mutual learning among all the ethnic groups of the country，resulting in the core values of the Chinese culture.The legends of Huang Emperor（Yellow Emperor），Yan Emperor（Flame Emperor）and Chiyou suggested they were the early ancestors of the Chinese nation.And the dotted archeological discoveries around China from Hongshan（4000-3000BC）in Liaoning to Hemudu（5000-3000BC）in Zhejiang，from Yangshao（5000-3000BC）in Henan to Dawenkou（4300-2500BC）in Shangdong，further proved that Chinese culture has multiple roots.
During the Spring and Autumn Period，more cultural exchanges took place among peoples.On the one hand，the land was united and separated once and again，which stimulated the cultural exchanges of different states；on the other hand，people had a more open view of the world，and thinkers and statesmen were not restricted to preaching or practicing their philosophies on their own land，hence there appeared the Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought.
Many scholars，like Confucius，traveled around the states to preach their ideas.
In the Qin and Han Dynasties，China was unified and prosperous，making it possible for different ethnic groups to have more cultural contacts than ever before.In particular，with the opening of the Silk Road，goods and customs from the Western Regions were introduced into the Central Plain.Fruits and vegetables like megranate，grape，sesame and cucumber began to appear on the tables of the Hans.In the Tang Dynasty，it was even a fashion for women to wear Hu Fu（garments of the Tartars or those who lived in the Western Regions）.Some princesses like Princess Wencheng（？-680）were married to the heads of minority tribes，which directly enriched the local culture and economy.In fact，China has been a united state throughout its long history，which creates a stage for peoples of different nationalities to learn from each other.This phenomenon furthers the development of the national culture.In a word，the colorful Chinese culture today is the common creation of all the peoples who ever lived on this land.
