Chinese Events that Influenced Literature Timeline

  • Ming Dynasty
    1368 BCE

    Ming Dynasty

    The Ming Dynasty emphasized on isolationism, however traveling and discovery were popular. This caused many novels to be made and were the dynasty's biggest contribution to literature.
  • Zhou Dynasty
    1045 BCE

    Zhou Dynasty

    The Zhou Dynasty provided literary works of philosophy and religion that became the basis of the Chinese religious and social belief stem. Due to this, the main contributions of this dynasty were Confucian classics, preserved poems and songs, and Taoist writings.
  • Confucianism
    551 BCE

    Confucianism

    Around 551 B.C., Confucius began to preach about how he thought the world should be. He emphasized values such as honesty, loyalty, and respect for your elders. People were greatly inspired by his teachings and began to record them in Analects, therefore providing to Chinese literature.
  • Taoism
    500 BCE

    Taoism

    The founding of Taoism by the legendary Lao- Tzu brought beliefs such as yearning to find humility, simplicity, and harmony. Similarly to Confucianism, this inspired many to create works of literature.
  • Qin Dynasty
    221 BCE

    Qin Dynasty

    The Qin Dynasty reduced the One Hundred Schools of Thought and reprimanded Confucian beliefs. This is why the literary contributions during the Qin Dynasty were legalism texts and the standardization of writing.
  • T'ao Ch'ien
    365

    T'ao Ch'ien

    The birth of T'ao Ch'ien caused a great contribution to Chinese literature. He was a very important lyric poet that is considered one of the greatest poets ever known.
  • Song Dynasty
    960

    Song Dynasty

    The Song Dynasty made incredibly remarkable technical and scientific advances. This explains why the poetry of this era was full of talented poets that contributed to Chinese literature.
  • Shang Dynasty

    Shang Dynasty

    The Shang Dynasty was the first dynasty that had historical records and archaeological evidence. There are archaeological finds such as bronze wares and oracle bones that had hieroglyphic writing on the.