Common Knowledge of Ancient Culture

Name: Common Knowledge of Ancient Culture
ISBN: 9787101148633

Wang LiZhonghua Book Company · ChinaFeb 2021

4.5

Word count: 72K words
Chapters: 63
ISBN: 9787101148633

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Summary

This book is a concise primer on ancient Chinese culture, compiled by the renowned scholar Wang Li together with a team of experts. It is the most important and comprehensive foundational work for systematically understanding ancient Chinese culture. Over more than half a century since its publication, it has undergone several major revisions and reprints. In this edition, besides correcting misquoted characters from cited sources in the original text, portions of the content have been divided into sections with new headings to help readers use the book more conveniently, and a large number of archaeological discoveries have been cited to correct misconceptions held by the general public and even the academic community. To help readers understand the relevant knowledge more intuitively, the book includes 265 exquisite related illustrations.

Editor's review

Ancient Cultural Knowledge is a classic reference work edited by the renowned linguist Wang Li. Since its first publication in 1961, it has gone through several revisions and has become an essential desk reference for anyone studying ancient Chinese culture. Rather than a dry list of dictionary entries, the book uses a rigorous academic framework as its skeleton and, in concise and fluent language, systematically surveys knowledge across fourteen major categories: astronomy, calendrics, musicology, geography, officialdom, the imperial examinations, names, ritual customs, clan law, architecture, carriages and horses, food and drink, clothing, and implements. Its greatest value lies in constructing a clear framework of cultural cognition, linking the various names and institutions scattered throughout vast classical texts so that readers can glimpse the overall character and inner logic of ancient social life. For modern readers, reading this book not only removes knowledge obstacles when reading classical Chinese but also fosters a deeper understanding of the origins of traditional cultural concepts and ways of thinking. The book is broadly evidenced and precise in its definitions, reflecting the solid scholarship of the older generation of scholars. Although some content may be open to discussion due to the limitations of its time, the knowledge system and scholarly methods it established remain irreplaceably instructive today. This is a 'hardcore' read that requires patient chewing; every rereading may bring new discoveries and associations.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers of literature and history with a strong interest in traditional Chinese culture who wish to build a systematic knowledge base.
University or graduate students majoring in ancient Chinese, history, literature, and related fields.
Professionals in writing, editing, museums, education, and other fields who need a solid grounding in traditional culture.
Readers who already have some foundation in reading classical Chinese and wish to deepen their understanding of the cultural connotations behind texts.

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking only light, fast-paced reading experiences such as entertaining stories about historical anecdotes.
Readers who are uncomfortable with highly structured, knowledge-focused textual formats.

Reading tips

A combination of 'thematic reading' and 'reference consultation' is recommended; there is no need to read it straight through.
It is best to keep a notebook at hand while reading, connecting and supplementing the content with one's existing knowledge to form a personal knowledge network.
It can be read alongside specific works of ancient literature (such as the Book of Songs, Records of the Grand Historian, Tang and Song poetry, etc.) to verify and apply the book's knowledge in practice and gain deeper understanding.

About the publisher

Zhonghua Book Company China · Founded in 1912

Zhonghua Book Company is a publisher known for collating ancient texts and academic publishing, with its output centered on Eastern philosophy, culture, classic works, art, and historical reading. Its library contains 532 titles, including Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guo Qingfan's Collected Commentaries on Zhuangzi, the four-volume Chinese Literature: Four Great Classical Novels, and the two-volume Table of Seal and Clerical Script Forms from Qin, Han, Wei, and Jin. These titles span historical classics, commentaries on the philosophers, classical novels, and philological reference works. Representative authors include Chen Shou, Guo Qingfan, Wu Cheng'en, Shi Nai'an, Cao Xueqin, Luo Guanzhong, Xu Wenwu, and the Hanyu Dazidian character-form group, reflecting a focus on primary sources and scholarly editors. Its publishing character lies in combining authoritative editions and annotated texts with both accessible classics and specialized research. Public information on its fuller catalog is limited; this note describes only the directions evident in the library's holdings.

版权信息
作者简介
第一章天文
七政
四象二十八宿
三垣
十二次
分野
第二章历法
日、月、年、置闰
二十四节气
干支纪年
干支纪时
月建
星岁纪年
三正
节日
第三章乐律
五音六律
乐调
律中
第四章地理
第五章职官
中央官制
地方官制
品阶勋爵
第六章科举
察举、策问
明经、进士
清代科举
第七章姓名
姓与氏
名与字
谥号
年号
避讳
第八章礼俗
阶级、阶层
冠礼
婚姻
丧葬
第九章宗法
族、昭、穆
大宗、小宗
亲属
丧服
第十章宫室
宫室、台观
建筑材料和建筑技术
第十一章车马
第十二章饮食
粮食作物
肉食
饮品
第十三章衣饰
头衣
服饰
鞋袜
第十四章什物
席、床、几、案
日用工具
饮食器具
附录：插图目录

FAQ

How does this book differ from a general 'History of Ancient Chinese Culture'?

This book focuses more on 'common knowledge,' that is, explanations of basic, instrumental names and institutions, with a clear system and distinct entries, similar to a classified dictionary; works on cultural history, by contrast, emphasize the tracing of historical threads and the analysis of phenomena, and are more narrative. This book is an essential foundational tool for studying cultural history.

There are many editions of this book. Which one should I choose?

The latest revised edition from Zhonghua Book Company is recommended. The Zhonghua edition is authoritative, meticulously collated, and is revised and expanded as scholarship advances, making it the edition with the most assured quality.

Will this book be too difficult for complete beginners?

The book was originally written to popularize common knowledge for a general audience, and its language is already as concise as possible. Beginners can start with categories that interest them (such as food and clothing) to build intuitive familiarity, then gradually explore more abstract sections (such as astronomy and calendrics). With persistence, one will surely benefit.

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About the author

Wang Li Author · Chinese · 1900–1986

Wang Li (1900–1986), courtesy name Liaoyi, was a native of Bobai, Guangxi, and one of the founders of modern Chinese linguistics as well as a professor at Peking University. He devoted his life to the teaching and study of Chinese, making outstanding contributions to phonology, grammar, lexicology, the history of the Chinese language, prosody, and script reform. His works include A Modern Chinese Grammar, A Draft History of the Chinese Language, and A History of Chinese Linguistics, and he was editor-in-chief of Ancient Chinese. His writings combine scholarly depth with readability. More than thirty of his titles are held in this collection, covering textbooks on ancient Chinese, the history of Chinese grammar, and common knowledge of ancient Chinese culture. They are often found in categories such as literary appreciation, culture, language and writing, and examinations, and are suitable for language learners and readers interested in literature and history.