112/04/10112/04/10 Prof. Frederick Hok-ming CHEUNGProf. Frederick Hok-ming CHEUNG

The Fall of the Ch’in The Fall of the Ch’in Dynasty &the Founding Dynasty &the Founding

of the Han Dynastyof the Han Dynasty

In 209 B.C., only a year after the death In 209 B.C., only a year after the death of the First Emperor, a revolt broke out of the First Emperor, a revolt broke out in the old Ch’u area, and rebellions in the old Ch’u area, and rebellions followed in quick succession followed in quick succession throughout the empire.throughout the empire.

When the leading rebel, Hsiang Yu, a When the leading rebel, Hsiang Yu, a descendant of Ch’u generals, finally descendant of Ch’u generals, finally wiped out the last of the Ch’in armies wiped out the last of the Ch’in armies in 206 B.C., he tried to return to Chou in 206 B.C., he tried to return to Chou Feudalism, & only declared himself as Feudalism, & only declared himself as “Hegemon King”.“Hegemon King”.

Another rebel general, Liu Pang, who Another rebel general, Liu Pang, who challenged Hsiang Yu & destroyed him in challenged Hsiang Yu & destroyed him in 202 B.C., and became the Emperor of 202 B.C., and became the Emperor of Han.Han.

Liu Pang (OR [Emperor] Han Kao-Tsu) Liu Pang (OR [Emperor] Han Kao-Tsu) succeeded, where the First Emperor of succeeded, where the First Emperor of Ch’in had failed, in creating a lasting Ch’in had failed, in creating a lasting dynasty. The Western Han Dynasty dynasty. The Western Han Dynasty reigned for more than 2 centuries until reigned for more than 2 centuries until A.D. 8, & then, after a brief usurpation, A.D. 8, & then, after a brief usurpation, resurrected the dynasty as the Later Han resurrected the dynasty as the Later Han or Eastern Han, Which lasted from A.D. 25 or Eastern Han, Which lasted from A.D. 25 until A.D. 220.until A.D. 220.

Cf. Roman EmpireCf. Roman Empire

Even today, the Chinese refer to Even today, the Chinese refer to themselves as “ men of Han” & themselves as “ men of Han” & the Japanese call the Chinese the Japanese call the Chinese writing system “the Han writing system “the Han characters.”characters.”

Han thought:Han thought:

Among the old thought survived were the Among the old thought survived were the concepts of the late Chou Naturalists ofconcepts of the late Chou Naturalists of yin yin && yang yang dualism, & the “five elements dualism, & the “five elements (or agents, or powers).(or agents, or powers).

Closely allied with these ideas was the Closely allied with these ideas was the notion that unusual natural phenomena notion that unusual natural phenomena were portents which reflected the were portents which reflected the character of the ruler or foretold the future.character of the ruler or foretold the future.

Tsou Yen’sTsou Yen’s Yin-Yang Yin-Yang School proclaimed School proclaimed their theories of thetheir theories of the yin yin & & yangyang, the Five , the Five Elements, & predicted the rise &fall of Elements, & predicted the rise &fall of fortune according to the dominant cosmic fortune according to the dominant cosmic influence of an age (influence of an age (shih-yunshih-yun). The ). The influence of this school on the thinkers of influence of this school on the thinkers of Ch’in & Han was especially great.Ch’in & Han was especially great.

Hsiao, tr. By Mote, pp.61-65.Hsiao, tr. By Mote, pp.61-65.

Water

Wood

FireEarth

Metal

conquer create

The sequence of the 5elements in The sequence of the 5elements in ancient Chinese history:ancient Chinese history:

Huang-ti:Huang-ti:

““earth”earth”

““yellow”yellow”

““yellow dragon omen”yellow dragon omen”

then, the element of “earth” declined, & then, the element of “earth” declined, & was conquered by the element of was conquered by the element of “wood”.“wood”.

Thus, Yu of Hsia Dynasty Thus, Yu of Hsia Dynasty

““wood” wood”

““green”green”

““trees & grass alive even in fall & trees & grass alive even in fall & winter” as omen winter” as omen

Then, the element of “wood” declined, &was Then, the element of “wood” declined, &was conquered by the element of “metal” thus, conquered by the element of “metal” thus, Shang Dynasty.Shang Dynasty.

Then, Chou Dynasty of the element of “fire”.Then, Chou Dynasty of the element of “fire”.

Then, Ch’in Dynasty of the element of Then, Ch’in Dynasty of the element of “water”, “black”“water”, “black”

““Black dragon omen”Black dragon omen”

Thus, in Ch’in Dynasty, the empire’s color Thus, in Ch’in Dynasty, the empire’s color of formal dresses & flags was “black”!of formal dresses & flags was “black”!

Then, Liu Pang was reported to Then, Liu Pang was reported to have killed a “snake” (omen), have killed a “snake” (omen), thus, conquered the declining “ thus, conquered the declining “ water” element & succeeded by a water” element & succeeded by a new element of “earth” (a cycle). new element of “earth” (a cycle).

According to the cosmology of ancient According to the cosmology of ancient China:China:

Yin-yangYin-yang was the origin or source of was the origin or source of life/universe.life/universe.

In the beginning, there was nothingness:In the beginning, there was nothingness:

Poleless (then became)Poleless (then became)

T’ai Ch’I (2 poles) T’ai Ch’I (2 poles)

YinYin YangYang

NightNight DayDay

EarthEarth SkySky

ColdCold HotHot

WinterWinter SummerSummer

WaterWater FireFire

MoonMoon SunSun

FemaleFemale MaleMale

NegativeNegative PositivePositive

SoftSoft HardHard

In Chinese medicine, it is important to balance & In Chinese medicine, it is important to balance & regulate regulate yinyin & & yangyang..