Ah, the rich tapestry of Chinese culture! With a civilization stretching back thousands of years, China offers a wellspring of history and tradition that could captivate you for a lifetime—and that’s just the beginning. For those about to embark on the extraordinary journey of teaching and living in China, here are 11 cool facts about Chinese history that might just make you see this incredible country in a whole new light.
1. The Original TP
Ever thought about who we have to thank for the convenience of toilet paper? Contrary to what many people think, toilet paper was invented in China in 1391. The Romans are known for using various objects (leaves, moss, their hands, etc.) as toilet paper prior to the 14th century, but they had not yet invented a paper-like item for this particular use.
Luckily, the invention was incredibly popular in China, and by the late 14th century it took off. Approximately 10 million packages of toilet paper were being manufactured each year, each containing 1,000 to 10,000 sheets each. Emperors would order this paper in two by three-foot sheets for maximum cleanliness (for reference – modern sheets are 6 square inches).
2. The “Middle Kingdom”
The first use of the modern word “China” was in 1555. The origin of the name “China” is a topic of disagreement among scholars. Some people think that it came out of the word “Qin” (China’s unifying dynasty – pronounced ‘cheen’), and others think that it came from the Persian word “cin” and was spread my Marco Polo. Either way, the term “China” was known throughout the world by the middle of the 19th century.
That being said, Chinese natives actually refer to their country as the Middle Kingdom or “zhōngguó” (中国). Natives historically regard their country as “central,” compared to other civilizations nearby. The term zhōngguó has many different meanings behind it, all of which relate back to the centrality of China.
3. The Dragon in the Carp
Imagine the mighty dragon, the emblem of power, hiding in the guise of a humble carp. This delightful comparison is drawn from the carp’s scales and whiskers, which resemble those of the Chinese Dragon. The main inspiration for this idea is from an old Chinese folktale called “Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate”. This has made the carp a symbol of strength and perseverance in Chinese culture.
4. A Culinary Innovation: Chopsticks
The oldest surviving pair of chopsticks dates back to 1200 BCE (the Shang Dynasty), but evidence suggests they were used as early as the Xia dynasty (2070 – 1600 BCE). As the Chinese population grew over time, people had to conserve cooking fuel by chopping food into small pieces so that it would cook faster. The earliest chopsticks were used as cooking—not eating—utensils. People would use chopsticks to cook, stir the fire, and serve pieces of food.
Make sure to brush up on Chopstick etiquette before you visit!
5. A Flag Born from Competition
Out of a staggering 2,992 entries, the current Chinese flag was chosen in 1949. Its main color, red, was chosen to represent the revolutionary spirit of communism and the traditional ethnic color of the Han people who make up a majority of China.
From 1644 to 1912 under the Ch’ing Dynasty, the Chinese flag was usually yellow which is the traditional ethnic color of the Manchu people. In 1912, the flag had 5 stripes of different colors to represent the five ethnic peoples in China. Since then, 5 has been a special number for symbolism in China, thus the 5 stars.
6. Honoring Time with the Lunar Calendar
The Chinese lunar calendar arranges the year, month, and day number upon the astronomical date. The Chinese calendar is not the official calendar in China anymore, but it is still used for traditional activities in China and overseas Chinese communities.
The lunar calendar originated in 2600 B.C. and has 12 zodiac signs. There are 12 or 13 months in a year. The years with 12 months are common years, there are 353, 354, or 355 days in the common year. The years with 13 months are leap years, there are 383, 384, or 385 days in the leap year. February 5, 2019, marked the first day of the year 4717 on the Chinese lunar calendar.
7. The Paper Money Trailblazers
The Chinese were the first in the world to use paper money. The first records of it were found to be from during the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century. Before the use of paper money, the Chinese used circular coins with a rectangular hole in the middle. This way several coins could be strung together on a rope. As the country’s economy flourished, merchants found that their strings of coins became too heavy to be carried around.
To solve this, coins were often left with a trustworthy person, and the merchant was given a slip of paper recording how much money he had with that person (this is also considered to be the origin of banking). Copper shortages also led to the introduction of paper money.
Being the first area to use paper money, China ran into a few problems over the years. The main problem was that the Yuan Dynasty decided to print an excessive amount of paper money and release it all into circulation, thus leading to extremely high inflation.
8. Ping Pong: A British Import Perfected
Despite being a national pastime in China, table tennis actually originated in Britain in the 1880s. It started as an after-dinner parlor game for the upper class. Yet, since its introduction to China in 1901, the country has come to dominate the sport on the global stage, turning a leisurely parlor game into a fierce competitive endeavor.
9. The Ball Game of Ancient Times
Soccer (futbol)—the most popular sport in the world—was played in China over two thousand years ago. The earliest form of soccer was, in fact, a military exercise in the third and second centuries BCE in China. The game (cuju or “kick ball”) consisted of kicking a leather ball filled with hair and feathers through a small, netted opening thirty feet in the air.
10. Dragons: From Myth to Symbol
In contrast to their often menacing portrayal in the West, dragons in China are auspicious creatures, representing wisdom, power, and good fortune. They are held in high regard as one of the four greatest creatures in Chinese mythology. “Discovering the positive symbolism of dragons in China was a beautiful surprise,” shares Mark, who delved into mythology during his teaching stint.
11. Innovations in Warfare: The Crossbow and Gunpowder
China’s contributions to warfare technology are unparalleled, with the invention of the crossbow (5th century BCE) and gunpowder (11th century CE) reshaping battlefields worldwide such as in the European Battle of Hastings (popularization of crossbows). These innovations underscore China’s longstanding tradition of ingenuity and invention. China is also credited with inventing the repeating crossbow, capable of firing 10 bolts in 15 seconds at around 200 CE.
Eager to explore more about this fascinating culture while making a tangible impact through education? Dive into the adventure of teaching in China with us at Teaching Nomad. Our latest job openings could be your gateway to a journey filled with discovery, understanding, and lifelong friendships. “The support and guidance from Teaching Nomad were pivotal in my transition. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my journey in China!” shares Emily, one of our many teachers who found a new home in the heart of the Middle Kingdom. Join us, and let’s embark on this extraordinary voyage together!
