-
earliest evidence of Chinese writing is found on Shang oracle bones. Oracle bones are pieces of ox scapula or turtle plastron, which were used for pyromancy in ancient China.
-
song lyrics sung by women entertainers became a major poetic form. Diamond Sutra, the first book with a printed date, is published.
-
many important writers/philosophers were born. Birth of Wang Wei, painter and poet. Birth of LiPo and birth of TuFu.
-
poetry writing is included in the civil service examination. The system continued to play a major role, not only in education and government, but also in society itself.
-
Confucius teaches about ethical values such as honesty, loyalty, and respect for elders. Confucius viewed the Chou dynasty culture as a model society.
-
lao-tzu, legendary founder of Taoism, develpos teachings of Tao Te Ching. The Shih Ching (book of odes), the first anthology of Chinese poetry, is complied.
-
Taoist philosopher CHuang Tzu writes the Chuang Tzu. Ssu-ma Ch'ien writes Records of the Historian, a history of China through Wu Ti's reing.
-
the first Chinese dictionary is compiled. Pan Ku writes History of the former Han Dynasty.
