The Dynasties of Asia were a large influence in the evolution of Asian culture. They lasted from the Ancient Era all the way to the 20th century. However, the main Dynasties listed here are all from the Middle Ages. Seeing as back in that time period, most of the land of Asia was one country (China), all of these Dynasties are considered Chinese Dynasties. However, they still influenced the surrounding countries during their time of rule (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.).
The Dynasties that ruled throughout the Middle ages are considered to be the best of all the dynasties in history, given that multiple Golden Ages and leaps in technology occurred during this time period (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.). Huge advancements in the arts and literature were made, as well as leaps in technology evolution. The focus on this page, though, is how Asia improved as a whole during the time of the Dynasties.
The Dynasties that ruled throughout the Middle ages are considered to be the best of all the dynasties in history, given that multiple Golden Ages and leaps in technology occurred during this time period (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.). Huge advancements in the arts and literature were made, as well as leaps in technology evolution. The focus on this page, though, is how Asia improved as a whole during the time of the Dynasties.
Six Dynasties
AD 220-586
The age of the Six Dynasties marked the end of the Ancient Era and the Beginning of the Middle Ages. During this time, Chinese art and writing evolved into a personalized practice that was tailored to each individual (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.). Poetry especially evolved during this time, with many writings of love and beauty created, and later, English translated. However, the Six Dynasties era was riddled with warfare, and the country was very unstable. The country was unable to unify until the end of their ruling (CC-BY-SA n.d.). The end of the Six Dynasties saw the rise of the Sui Dynasty, which brought forth the beginning of the Middles Age ruling (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.).
Sui Dynasty
AD 581-618
The Sui Dynasty was very short-lived, and it was the transitioning period between the Six Dynasties and future Dynasties to come (Travel China Guide 1998). The Chinese created porcelain ceramics during this time period, and were heavily influenced by Indian culture, which led to the creation of several Buddhist Temples and Meditation Areas (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.). Agricultural and technological advancements were made during this time, resulting in higher crop yield and better ships. The Grand Canal was made during this dynasty, which became the main road for transportation between the newly unified northern and southern areas (Travel China Guide 1998).
Tang Dynasty
AD 618-907
The Rise of the Tang Dynasty ushered in a Golden Age for China. This dynasty was responsible for the military, economic, cultural, and political expansion throughout all of Asia. The land advanced and expanded so much that they became the strongest unified country in the world (Travel China Guide 1998). Artistry flourished as more complex ceramic styles and materials were created. The use of the Silk Road skyrocketed, as more trading occurred between the west and east (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.). This dynasty is considered to be the start of the Golden Age of art in Asia, which then continued on until the fall of the Song Dynasty (East Asian Art n.d.). The Chinese reached the peak of their civilization during this dynasty, with so many advancements in every field (Gill n.d.).
Five Dynasties
AD 907-960
Only lasting a little more than half a century, the Five Dynasties struggled through several conflicts, failing to unify the country until the decline into the Song Dynasty (Travel China Guide 1998). The political and social aspects of Chinese culture all but collapsed, and the arts were forgotten until the rise of the last ruler. Under his rule, the arts managed to pick back up and flourish again (Enciclopédia Escolar Britannica 2013).
Though a short-lived dynasty, the Five Dynasties are credited with two major artistic advances: one was whiteware, a new type of ceramic, and the other was a new style of painting known as Monumental Ink Landscape (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.).
Mention the second golden age
Though a short-lived dynasty, the Five Dynasties are credited with two major artistic advances: one was whiteware, a new type of ceramic, and the other was a new style of painting known as Monumental Ink Landscape (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.).
Mention the second golden age
Song Dynasty
AD 960-1279
While the Song Dynasty was considered the third Golden Age for China, it went through two drastically different time periods. The first half of the Dynasty was called the Northern Song Dynasty, and it lasted from AD 960-1126. During this time, the Asian lands were at peace, and there was substantial development in philosophy, art, politics, and economics (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.). The land was still in a Golden Age. The first forms of paper currency were used in the Song Dynasty. The Chinese invented typography and the compass, and the use of gunpowder evolved and expanded. Chinese Literature also flourished, as several famous scholars and poets worked during this time to enhance Chinese culture (Travel China Guide 1998).
However, on the other end of the spectrum was the Southern Song Dynasty, ranging from AD 1127-1279. During this time, violent and vicious invaders attacked the Chinese and drove them out of their homeland. Any survivors had to move south and start a new capital city. The tragedy of this event was shown through in the surviving arts, which depict lonely and depressing landscapes. However, even through all of the events that happened, the quality of ceramic and even wood carving increased dramatically throughout this dynasty (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.). Some even believe that the peak of Chinese ceramics was achieved during this dynasty, with its only rival being that of the blue and white ceramics of the Yuan and Ming Dynasty (East Asian Art n.d.).
However, on the other end of the spectrum was the Southern Song Dynasty, ranging from AD 1127-1279. During this time, violent and vicious invaders attacked the Chinese and drove them out of their homeland. Any survivors had to move south and start a new capital city. The tragedy of this event was shown through in the surviving arts, which depict lonely and depressing landscapes. However, even through all of the events that happened, the quality of ceramic and even wood carving increased dramatically throughout this dynasty (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d.). Some even believe that the peak of Chinese ceramics was achieved during this dynasty, with its only rival being that of the blue and white ceramics of the Yuan and Ming Dynasty (East Asian Art n.d.).
Yuan Dynasty
AD 1279-1368
The first ruler of the Yuan Dynasty is one that many people know, King Khan, more widely known as Genghis Kahn. He became the first leader in China to make an active effort to control as much land as possible. He founded the Mongol Empire, and took control of China and its surrounding countries. His efforts created Asia as it is today. His main goal was to create a large country that lived in prosperity. Khan was the leader that solidified the safety of the Silk Road, a transport area that allowed trading with the western countries (Newman n.d). The economy thrived agriculturally, and several poems from Chinese literature were created. There was also much more foreign contact with the west during this time, resulting in more books being written about the eastern civilization (Travel China Guide 1998).
Ming Dynasty
AD 1368-1644
The Ming Dynasty established itself in an effort to patch up the damages done from the plague. They repaired the damages done to the Great wall, started building the Forbidden City (a very grand Imperial Palace), and tried to bring a greater focus to art and cultural development in China (Newman n.d.). The Ming Dynasty revived some of their older culture, bringing back old ceramic types that were made back in the Ancient Era. During this time three new styles of painting were established: the Che, the Wu, and the Eccentric (Minneapolis Institute of Arts n.d). Chinese Literature also blossomed during this dynasty. Three classical Chinese lit. pieces were written, as well as two very well known novels. Folklore became very large and influential, shaping the way many writers worked (Travel China Guide 1998).
The founder of the Ming Dynasty relieved the burden on the peasants and workers of the land, while cracking down on court officials in order to prevent corruption. The land became very prosperous during this time, and while the fourth emperor was in power, one of the world’s largest and earliest encyclopedias was created, which was called Yongle Dadian. The economy of the time started to shift towards capitalism, and trading increased drastically (Travel China Guide 1998).
The founder of the Ming Dynasty relieved the burden on the peasants and workers of the land, while cracking down on court officials in order to prevent corruption. The land became very prosperous during this time, and while the fourth emperor was in power, one of the world’s largest and earliest encyclopedias was created, which was called Yongle Dadian. The economy of the time started to shift towards capitalism, and trading increased drastically (Travel China Guide 1998).
To learn more about the different Dynasties, visit one of the websites listed on our Resource Page.