Book Review Of”Insights into Chinese Culture”
Recently,I spent three weeks on reading a book named “Insights into
Chinese Culture”.It’s publication date is in June 2008,and that year is significantly memorable for Chinese people.Of course,Beijing Olympic Games
was hold in Beijing which is the capital of our great country China.
So,I want to share some thoughts about this book with you.The book not
only is the text written in a superbly fluent and fascinating way, and the accompanying illustrations also show us the life of many aspects of Chinese culture.
Therefore,let me tell you what is extremely important in this book.The
book consists of four themes:Wisdom and Beliefs,Greativity and Exchange,Art and Aesthetics and Folk Customs.
In the first part of this book,it simply introduce the philosophy of the great Chinese sages.From the book,I learn a lot:Chinese culture regards human life as part of nature and,as such,the only way for us to survive is to live in harmony with nature.They are always looking forward to a peaceful word,which also requires avoiding conflict between humans and nature.
And in fact,we are human,which is a smart biology.Though these long history,we should realize that：people should hold nature in awe and gratitude instead of dictating to nature.Today,we learn the Confucian thought on heaven and humanity and Laozi’s philosophy of non-action.From these knowledge,I understand their wisdom and great thoghts.
In the second part of this book,I begin to know that our ancient Chinese
is creative,such as The Great Wall and the Forbidden City,and they have
always kept an open heart towards friends and cultures from differend lands.
As we all know,Emperor Taizong of Tang created a extremely prosperous country,which is famous for its power and prospersity in the world history.The reason is open attitude towards different countries.
Until now,we are still using the Chinese characters:poetics
symbols.Even,the numbers of Chinese language learners all over the world have been on the rise recent years.The poetics symbols is a part of Chinese culture,and nowdays it still play a important role in Chinese people’s common life.
What is known to us is that One who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a
real hero.I want to say”Yes”. The Great Wall is a treasure of Chinese culture during over five thousand years history.It originally is used to guard the frontier ,but later,it gradually turn into a cultural symbol.Also it not only plays an important role in Chinese people’s heart ,but also is the symbol of the state.
In the third part of this book,I understand the beauty of the art and aesthetics.In the long history,the Chinese created many uniqe forms of art –gorgeous bronzeware,elegant gardens,natural ink-wash paintings,pure porcelain,enduring Tang poerty,timeless statues of the Buddha,and colorful Peking opera and so on.These art forms build a kind of unique culture system.
Taking the music for the example,the tradition of Chinese music dates back to remote antiquity.There are two main functions of this
tradition:governing the country and nourishing the mind. “Music brings harmony” is an important concept that has influences cultures for several thousand years.It stresses harmony as the culture’score value.And ancient people literati considered the zither(古筝) a prerequisite（先决条件） for their cultication（修养心性）.Its beautiful melodies（旋律） helped to maintain peace and balance of the mind.
The last part of this book tell me about the Chinese customs.We all know,people need clothing,food,housing,transportation,as well as the folk customs as long as we live on the earth.Though these things,we can recognize Chinese people’s inner peace,optimism,open-mind,and so on.These things all reflect people have long pursued different ways to enjoy everyday.
Most people should know a painting named “A Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival”.It was a painting created by the court artist Zhang Zeduan,at the end of Northern Song Dynasty.It is now housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing.This painting expresses a detailed illustration of life in the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty at its prime. In short,this painting has a high historical value.
In the end,this book taught me a lot about Chinese culture.I will work hard to learn more about Chinese culture.。