3 Matching Annotations
  1. Sep 2025
    1. Zhu Yuanzhang called himself the Hongwu Emperor (expansive and martial) and made Nanjing his capital. Imperial titles like “Hongwu” relate to the reign of each emperor, in which they declare the nature of their particular rule.  These titles are not the actual name of the emperor, but this is how they are known in Chinese history.

      I think this shows how important symbolic titles were in Chinese history. Instead of just being a name, they reflected the emperor’s character and how he wanted his rule to be remembered. For example, “Hongwu” suggests power and expansion. It makes me realize that in Chinese culture, the way leaders were remembered was as important as the policies they carried out.

    2. Confucian ideas about conduct focus on five basic virtues: seriousness, generosity, sincerity, diligence, and kindness.

      I think these five virtues show why Confucianism influenced Chinese culture for so long. They are not only good rules for government officials but also for everyday life. For me, sincerity and kindness stand out the most, because they are still values that people respect in modern society, not just in ancient China.

    3. China held a monopoly on the creation of silk, which was a closely-held state secret for millennia, and led the world in iron, copper, and porcelain production as well as a variety of technological inventions including the compass, gunpowder, paper-making, mechanical clocks, and moveable type printing.

      I think this shows how important silk was to China's culture and economy. by keeping the method a secret, China not only proacted its wealth but also gained influence in trade for hundreds of years. It reminds me that technology and knowledge can be as power as armies in shaping history.