Together with India and Iran, China is having one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with the cultural continuity of over 4.000 years. Thanks to this unprecedented continuity with the combination of various factors like geography, society and technology, ancient China is full of astonishing facts.
- It was forbidden to touch the emperor
If you thought you can touch the emperor even if you are physicians, you are so mistaken. You couldn’t touch him directly so, in the case you want to check his pulse, a member of the court would attach a thread to emperor’s wrist and the physician would to his job.
- Using a bamboo strips as a paper
Before paper was invented (it was a Chinese invention.) ancient Chinese would write on bamboo or on pieces of silk. Since silk was expansive, people started using more bamboo because it was cheaper and readily available.
The earliest surviving examples of wood or bamboo slips are from the 5th century BC (the Warring States period). Bamboo strips were the standard writing material during the Han dynasty. Eventually, the invention of paper by Cai Lun during the Han dynasty began displacing bamboo and wooden strips from its mainstream uses.
The first documented use of toilet paper occurred in 6th Century AD, where official Yan Zhitui mentioned the use of toilet paper by writing “paper on which there are quotations or commentaries from the Five Classics or the names of sages, I dare not use for toilet purposes." By 1391, toilet paper become a luxury which was only accessible to the Emperor and royalty.
During the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century, the first paper money started circulating. Before the paper money show up, they used a circular coin with a rectangular hole in the middle. Back then, the valet didn’t exist. Therefore, what did you do to bring you a huge number of coins? You would use that rectangular hole in the middle. You see, by using a shallow hole, you could string coins together with a rope.
After all, this becomes impractical because of weight. They found a innovative solution.
Coins would frequently be left with a trustworthy individual while traders and merchants was given a slip of paper with a record how much money he held to that person. The ultimate factor which led to the introduction of paper money was a shortage of copper.
- China remains the only country in the world that has possessed its literature written in merely one language for over 3,000 years.
China remains the unique country in the world that has possessed its literature written in merely one language for over 3,000 years. The history of Chinese literature is extremely impressive and fascinating.
The successful introduction of woodblock printing during the Tang dynasty led to widespread of literature texts. Practise of collecting and reproducing libraries also led to a critical role in the transfer of literary tradition.
- First mechanical clock which indicates accurate time, date and constellation positions
The first mechanical timer was invented in 976. A.D., by Chan Ssu - Hsun. This clock was made by using mercury, and it was the first working the mechanical clock.
His clock was a mechanical - water clock which didn’t work effectively. Due to this, he decided to produce another. This time, he would make a mechanical one. His operating principle was very easy to follow. The Mechanical - water would use a power of liquid. Water would fall into spoons in a established time which would cause the hand in the clock to move.
- If you are a doctor, you receive fees only provided you cured your patient.
Imagine you are a doctor during an ancient China. You had a task to cure your patient and did all you can to make him better. Now, you want to be paid for your service. Well, you needed to wait a little. The reason for waiting is you would be rewarded only if you manage to relieve a person.
After you did everything in your power to make a person better, his or her family would demand a proof that the illness was cured. If they see you manage to cure it, you would be paid. This was done on purpose because it made doctors more responsible and they would the best they can do heal the patient.