Han Dynasty — 漢朝
Hàn Cháo · 206 BCE – 220 CE
Key Facts
- Dynasty
- Han Dynasty (漢朝, Hàn Cháo)
- Period
- 206 BCE – 220 CE
- Capital
- Chang'an (West), Luoyang (East)
- Notable for
- Five-element state cosmology
The Han solidified the Chinese identity and cultural institutions that endure to this day. Dong Zhongshu synthesised Confucianism with five-element cosmology into the state orthodoxy. The Taichu calendar reform of 104 BCE established the first month (Zheng Yue) as New Year — the origin of the Spring Festival. The Han saw the formalisation of the sexagenary cycle for counting years and the earliest systematic feng shui texts.
Capital & Period
Key Contributions
The Han Dynasty made lasting contributions to Chinese zodiac, calendar, and metaphysical traditions:
- Five-element state cosmology
- Taichu calendar (Spring Festival origin)
- Sexagenary cycle formalisation
- Early feng shui texts
Frequently Asked Questions
The Han Dynasty (漢朝, Hàn Cháo) spanned 206 BCE – 220 CE, with its capital at Chang'an (West), Luoyang (East).
The Han Dynasty's major contributions include: Five-element state cosmology; Taichu calendar (Spring Festival origin); Sexagenary cycle formalisation; Early feng shui texts.
Discussion
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