A legacy is usually defined as “anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor.”[1] Ancient China’s legacy can be demonstrated with many inventions, including alcohol which has taken many forms (such as wine, beer, vodka, gin etc.), a primitive clock that Europeans would later develop into a more practical form, and an early version of paper; becoming the thin white sheets we’re familiar with presently.[2] These innovations of technology would prove to be overwhelmingly beneficial to ancient China. Not only were these inventions radical changes in Chinese civilization, but are still readily used in modern day society.
The Chinese had originally created alcohol to be used as a sacred liquid in sacrificial offerings to Heaven and the Earth in ancient China.[3] During the Zhou Dynasty, alcohol was seen as a rite, or “prescribed by Heaven.”[4] This means citizens held the liquid in such high regard, that it would be administered through special ministries to the people.[5] When the brewery was developed, alcohol became a more common drink.[6] It is believed that this form of alcohol would have been fermented using rice, honey and fruit.[7] Today, we use ingredients such as barley in beer and grapes in wine to make certain kinds of alcohol.[8] The creation of alcohol also gave influence to many other civilizations. In Rome, one of their main items of trade was their wine, which would be shipped all over the Mediterranean.[9] The Greeks valued their wine so much that they even had a god named Dionysus solely representing grape harvest and wine making.[10] In Egypt, beer was seen as a working class drink while wine was reserved for the upper class.[11] Alcohol production lead to economic growth in countries such as Egypt, Rome and Mesopotamia.[12] In modern day China, alcohol is still an important part of their traditions, such as being consumed at a party for a senior or at a wedding feast to show respect and happiness.[13] For the average person today, alcohol is consumed during social occasions; taking the spiritual aspect out of it. While alcohol is typically used for happy times, the effects of the liquid have a darker side. Alcohol is an addictive substance, causing many to require professional help to get unhooked. Whether it has a positive or a negative effect on the individual, alcohol has certainly proved to be a lasting invention.
One of the most difficult tasks in the ancient world was building a clock that would be able to spin at the exact speed the Earth would turn.[14] The problem would finally be solved in 725 CE China by a Buddhist monk named Yi Xing.[15] This clock however looked nothing like what we use today. Yi Xing’s clock, named The Water Driven Spherical Birds’-Eye-View Map of the Heavens, told time by water pouring on to a wheel that would make one full revolution every twenty-four hours.[16] The iron and bronze system of wheels, pins, shafts, hooks, locks and rods would cause an automatic chiming every hour.[17] A more advanced version of this clock would be created by Su Song in 1092 CE.[18] Song’s clock, called The Cosmic Empire, was over thirty-five feet high and was also powered by water.[19] It would be another two centuries until the Europeans would develop a completely mechanical clock, using an hour, minute, and a second hand to tell time.[20] Clocks would later be developed into smaller devices called watches. The invention of the clock was revolutionary for citizens as it enabled them to have a stronger grasp on what time it was exactly; leading to a better sense of punctuality.[21] The idea of keeping time also improved time based activities, such as putting something in the oven for a certain block of time. In the present day, watches are typically seen as very fashionable, especially if it is from an expensive brand such as Rolex.[22] Many people take the magnificent invention of the clock for granted today since we have little to no experience with not being able to tell the time. Life would clearly not be the same if we couldn’t efficiently keep track of time.
Perhaps ancient China’s most important creation was paper.[23] In 105 CE, eunuch Cai Lun made paper out of worn fishnet, bark and cloth.[24] This was a great improvement from previous writing materials like papyrus and parchment.[25] Today, paper is made from trees and recycled paper. Paper became a mass produced item, and the technique of making it spread across the globe over the coming centuries.[26] Paper has proved to be extremely important for many reasons. Paper greatly improved civilizations’ cultures, as texts and forms of art could be printed on it.[27] Many historically significant documents were written on paper, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Paris. Paper has revolutionized communication techniques.[28] Religious groups could mass produce their sacred books (The Bible, Quran etc.) and people could now write each other by letters.[29] The education system would be permanently changed with the invention of paper since student would now be able to learn how to read and write in a more accessible manner.[30] Unfortunately paper is such a requirement in the present day that we are cutting down trees at an incredibly fast rate to produce more and more of it. Luckily, recycling is helping to counteract the effects of deforestation. Clearly we owe so much to ancient China for giving us paper to improve our lives.
China’s legacy can be summarized with a quote from Miguel de Cervantes, “There is a strange charm in the hope of a good legacy that wonderfully reduces the sorrow people otherwise may feel for the death of their relatives and friends.”[31]China invented many objects that give it the legacy it deserves, but some of these objects are debatably the most important of all time. Paper, clocks and alcohol have radically changed social and cultural aspects in civilizations since they have been created. The world today would be incapable of maintaining order without these significant objects.
[1] “Legacy: Dictionary.com,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, http://www.dictionary.com/browse/legacy
[2] “Ancient Chinese Inventions and Discoveries that Shaped the World,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, http://blog.world-mysteries.com/science/ancient-chinese-inventions-and-discoveries-that-shaped-the-world/
[3] “Chinese Alcohol,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, https://www.warriortours.com/intro/alcohol.htm
[4] “Ancient Chinese Inventions and Discoveries that Shaped the World,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, http://blog.world-mysteries.com/science/ancient-chinese-inventions-and-discoveries-that-shaped-the-world/
[5] “Chinese Alcohol,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, https://www.warriortours.com/intro/alcohol.htm
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Ancient Chinese Inventions and Discoveries that Shaped the World,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, http://blog.world-mysteries.com/science/ancient-chinese-inventions-and-discoveries-that-shaped-the-world/
[8] “How Is Alcohol Made?” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, http://www.alcoholandyou.org.uk/facts/howisitmade.html
[9] “History of Alcohol,” accessed on Jan. 16, 2017, http://www.narconon.org/drug-information/alcohol-history.html
[10] “Alcohol Use in Ancient Cultures,” accessed on Jan. 16, 2017, https://vagabondsandvillians.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/alcohol-use-in-ancient-cultures-why-must-i-always-choose-such-broad-topics/
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] “Chinese Alcohol,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, https://www.warriortours.com/intro/alcohol.htm
[14] “Mechanical Clock,” accessed on Jan. 16, 2017, https://sites.google.com/site/paperscroll/celebrating-chinese-ingenuity/mechanical-clock
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid.
[21] “How Clocks Changed Humanity Forever,” accessed on Jan. 16, 2017, http://www.openculture.com/2015/02/how-clocks-forever-changed-humanity-in-1657.html
[22] “History of Watches and Portable Clocks,” accessed on Jan. 16, 2017, http://www.historyofwatch.com/watch-history/history-of-watches/
[23] “Ancient Chinese Inventions and Discoveries that Shaped the World,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, http://blog.world-mysteries.com/science/ancient-chinese-inventions-and-discoveries-that-shaped-the-world/
[24] “Four Great Inventions of Ancient China,” accessed on Jan. 15, 2017, https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/focus/inventions.htm
[25] Ibid.
[26] Ibid.
[27] “The History of Paper,” accessed on Jan. 16, 2017, http://www.paperrecycles.org/about/the-history-of-paper
[28] Ibid.
[29] Ibid.
[30] Ibid.
[31] “Legacy Quotes,” accessed on Jan. 16, 2017, http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/legacy/2.html
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The Wonders of Ancient China 