Glossary
Chinese Opera
A traditional performing art form that combines music, singing, dialogue, mime, acrobatics, and elaborate costumes and makeup to tell stories.
Example:
A Beijing Chinese Opera performance is a sensory feast, blending dramatic narratives with stylized movements and powerful vocals.
Classical Music (Chinese)
Refers to intricate and often orchestral compositions played on traditional Chinese instruments, characterized by complex melodies and formal structures.
Example:
Listening to a performance of Chinese Classical Music can transport you to ancient imperial courts with its grand and refined sounds.
Folk Music (Chinese)
Musical styles originating from specific regions and ethnic groups within China, often reflecting local customs, daily life, and historical narratives.
Example:
The vibrant melodies of Miao Folk Music tell stories of their unique traditions and mountainous homeland.
Han Dynasty (Painting)
An early period in Chinese painting where art was primarily used for decorating buildings and tombs, often depicting daily life, historical events, and mythological figures.
Example:
Paintings from the Han Dynasty found in tombs provide valuable insights into the beliefs and daily activities of ancient Chinese people.
History of Traditional Chinese Paintings
The chronological development of Chinese painting styles, techniques, and themes across various dynasties, reflecting societal, philosophical, and artistic changes.
Example:
Understanding the History of Traditional Chinese Paintings reveals how art evolved from tomb decorations to profound expressions of nature and human emotion.
Ming Dynasty (Painting)
A period characterized by an expansion of color palettes and the development of comprehensive painting instruction manuals, making art more accessible.
Example:
The detailed illustrations in the Manual of the Mustard Seed Garden from the Ming Dynasty helped standardize painting techniques for generations of artists.
Qing Dynasty (Painting)
The final imperial dynasty, where two main painting styles emerged: Orthodox (recreating older styles) and Individualistic (purposefully innovative and distinct from the past).
Example:
The Qing Dynasty saw a fascinating artistic tension between artists who meticulously copied ancient masters and those who boldly forged new paths.
Six Dynasties (Painting)
A period where calligraphy emerged as a significant art form, influencing painting with its emphasis on brushwork and expressive lines.
Example:
During the Six Dynasties, the elegant strokes of calligraphy became central to the aesthetic principles of painting.
Song Dynasty (Painting)
A period marked by the influence of Daoism and Buddhism, leading to more faded and blurred painting styles, with a shift from grand landscapes to more detailed, foreground-focused compositions.
Example:
The subtle ink washes and atmospheric effects in Song Dynasty paintings often reflect a deep connection to nature and philosophical contemplation.
Tang Dynasty (Painting)
A golden age for Chinese painting, characterized by the emergence of court life depictions, the acceptance of ink paintings as finished works, and the rise of landscape painting with subtle colors.
Example:
The vibrant and detailed court scenes from the Tang Dynasty showcase the prosperity and cultural sophistication of the era.
Traditional Chinese Music
A broad category encompassing various musical styles developed over centuries in China, reflecting diverse regional traditions and historical periods.
Example:
Studying Traditional Chinese Music helps us understand the rich cultural heritage and evolution of sound in China.
Yuan Dynasty (Painting)
A period where paintings often reflected the artist's personal feelings and a return to older styles, serving as a means to preserve Chinese tradition under Mongol rule.
Example:
Artists during the Yuan Dynasty used their brushwork to express their inner thoughts and resistance, rather than simply depicting external reality.
二胡 (èrhú)
A two-stringed bowed instrument, often called the 'Chinese violin,' known for its expressive and melancholic sound.
Example:
The soulful melody of the 二胡 can evoke deep emotions, making it a favorite for traditional ballads.
八音 (bā yīn)
The traditional Chinese system for classifying musical instruments based on the primary material they are made from: silk, bamboo, wood, stone, metal, clay, gourd, and skin.
Example:
The ancient system of 八音 helps categorize instruments like the 二胡 (silk) and 笛子 (bamboo) by their core material.
古筝 (gǔzhēng)
A plucked zither with 21 or more strings, played by plucking strings with picks attached to the fingers, producing a rich and resonant sound.
Example:
The intricate arpeggios played on the 古筝 create a beautiful, flowing sound often heard in classical Chinese ensembles.
嘻哈音乐 (xīhā yīnyuè) / Hip Hop Music
A modern music genre originating from Western culture, characterized by rhythmic spoken word (rap) over a musical beat, which has gained popularity in China.
Example:
Chinese Hip Hop Music often features artists rapping about social issues or personal experiences, blending local slang with global beats.
墨水 (mòshuǐ)
Traditional Chinese ink, usually made from pine soot or lampblack, ground with water on an inkstone to create a rich black pigment for calligraphy and ink wash painting.
Example:
The subtle gradations from deep black to light grey in a landscape painting are achieved by diluting the 墨水 to varying degrees.
宣传 (xuānchuán)
Propaganda or publicity; the dissemination of information to promote a particular cause, view, or doctrine, often seen in political art.
Example:
During certain historical periods, art was widely used for 宣传, conveying political messages to the masses.
山水画 (shānshuǐhuà) / Landscape Painting
A prominent genre of traditional Chinese painting that focuses on depicting natural scenery, often conveying the artist's emotions and philosophical ideas rather than strict realism.
Example:
A master of 山水画 can capture the essence of a mountain range, not just its physical appearance, but its spiritual presence.
摇滚音乐 (yáogǔn yīnyuè) / Rock Music
A popular music genre characterized by a strong beat, often featuring electric guitars, bass, and drums, which has a growing following in China.
Example:
Cui Jian is often considered the 'Father of Chinese Rock Music' for his pioneering work in the genre.
政治口号 (zhèngzhì kǒuhào)
Political slogans; short, memorable phrases used to express a political idea or to rally support for a cause, often appearing in public art or posters.
Example:
Historical street art in China sometimes featured bold 政治口号 to communicate government policies or revolutionary ideals.
毛笔 (máobǐ)
A traditional Chinese ink brush, typically made from animal hair, used for calligraphy and painting, known for its flexibility and ability to create varied strokes.
Example:
Mastering the control of the 毛笔 is fundamental to achieving the nuanced lines and washes characteristic of Chinese painting.
汉语流行音乐 (hànyǔ liúxíng yīnyuè) / C-pop
Chinese Popular Music, a contemporary genre that blends traditional Chinese elements with modern pop styles, often featuring Mandarin lyrics.
Example:
Many young people in China enjoy listening to C-pop artists like Jay Chou, who often incorporate traditional instruments into their modern songs.
涂鸦 (túyā) / Graffiti
A specific form of street art involving writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place.
Example:
Despite being illegal, colorful 涂鸦 can sometimes be found hidden in alleyways, showcasing local artists' expressions.
清明上河图 (qīngmíng shànghé tú)
A famous panoramic painting from the Song Dynasty, depicting the bustling daily life and landscape of Kaifeng, the capital, during the Qingming Festival.
Example:
Studying the intricate details of 清明上河图 offers a vivid glimpse into urban life and social customs of 12th-century China.
漆器 (qīqì)
Lacquerware, decorative objects or furniture coated with layers of lacquer, often adorned with intricate designs, used for both practical and artistic purposes.
Example:
Exquisite 漆器 from the Tang Dynasty, with their glossy surfaces and detailed patterns, are prized artifacts in museums.
琵琶 (pípá)
A pear-shaped, four-stringed plucked instrument, similar to a lute, known for its bright and percussive sound.
Example:
The rapid strumming and plucking techniques on the 琵琶 can mimic the sounds of a galloping horse or a flowing stream.
笛子 (dízi)
A transverse bamboo flute with a unique buzzing sound produced by a special membrane (笛膜) covering one of its holes.
Example:
The lively and clear tones of the 笛子 are often heard in folk music, adding a distinctive bright quality.
笛膜 (dí mó)
A thin reed membrane, typically made from bamboo or cane, that is affixed over a special hole on the 笛子 to create its characteristic buzzing timbre.
Example:
Without the vibrating 笛膜, the 笛子 would sound like a regular flute, lacking its unique resonant quality.
绢画 (juàn huà)
Silk painting, a traditional Chinese art form where paintings are created on silk fabric, known for its smooth texture and ability to absorb ink and pigments beautifully.
Example:
Delicate details and vibrant hues are often preserved exceptionally well in ancient 绢画 due to the durable nature of silk.
色彩 (sècǎi)
Color or colors, referring to the pigments used in Chinese painting, which can range from vibrant and bold to subtle and muted, depending on the style and period.
Example:
Early Chinese paintings often used limited 色彩, focusing more on ink washes, while later dynasties introduced a broader palette.
芥子园画传 (jièzǐ yuán huà zhuán)
The 'Manual of the Mustard Seed Garden,' a highly influential painting instruction manual compiled during the Ming Dynasty, providing detailed guidance on techniques and styles.
Example:
Many aspiring artists in China still refer to the 芥子园画传 to learn the foundational principles of traditional Chinese painting.
萧 (xiāo) / 洞箫 (dòngxiāo)
A vertical bamboo flute, known for its mellow, soft, and often melancholic tone, commonly used in solo performances or chamber music.
Example:
The serene sound of the 萧 is perfect for quiet contemplation, often evoking images of tranquil landscapes.
街头艺术 (jiētóu yìshù) / Street Art
Art created in public spaces, often illegally, influenced by Western culture and reflecting contemporary interests and social commentary.
Example:
Vibrant murals and stencils are common forms of 街头艺术 that transform urban landscapes in modern Chinese cities.