Chinese Events that Influenced Literature Timeline

By christianlouboutindon
  • 1700 BCE

    Shang Dynasty

    Shang Dynasty
    The first dynasty for which there is historical record and archaeological evidence is the Shang Dynasty. It was a small empire in northern central China. No documents from that country survive, but there are archaeological finds of hieroglyphic writing on bronze wares and oracle bones. The hieroglyphic writing system later evolved into ideographic and partly-phonetic Chinese characters.
  • 960 BCE

    Printing (movable type)

    Printing (movable type)
    During the Song or Sung dynasty, the Chinese invented printing. With this available, people were finally able to easily write literature. They no longer had to draw their writing.
  • 907 BCE

    Painting

    Painting
    During the Five Dynasties period, the Chinese invented painting. With painting, people were able to draw letters. Thus, inspiring people to create literature. As you can see in the Chinese painting, there are letters.
  • 581 BCE

    Block Printing

    Block Printing
    During the Sui Dynasty, the Chinese invented block printing. With block painting, a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later paper was made available. This helped literature grow even further.
  • 221 BCE

    Standardized writing and language

    Standardized writing and language
    During the Qin and Ch'in dynasty, the Chinese invented standardized writing and language. This started it all, people began to write.
  • 221 BCE

    Qin Dynasty

    Qin Dynasty
    The Qin Dynasty standardized the written Classical Language. It is said that a minister of the Qin emperor named Li Si introduced a writing system that later developed into modern Chinese writing. Standardization was meant to help control the society. The standardized writing system also helped people all over the country to communicate more clearly.
  • 220 BCE

    Calligraphy

    Calligraphy
    During the Era of Disunity, the Chinese invented Calligraphy. With Calligraphy, people began drawing letters. With these letters, people started writing literature.
  • 202 BCE

    Papermaking

    Papermaking
    During the Han Dynasty, the Chinese invented papermaking. With paper, you can write. Thus, allowing people to create literature.