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Hundred Schools of Thought in China

The Hundred Schools of Thought

The Zhou Dynasty was split into sub-periods, viz. the Western Zhou followed by the Eastern Zhou. The victory of Zhou over Shang gave birth to the Western period. In 771 BC, the Zhou was forced to move towards the east by the northern barbarians, and this led to the Eastern period. This period further got divided into two time periods, viz. the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), and the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). The Warring States Period flooded with different philosophies was named as One Hundred Schools Period. Religions such as Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism were born during this period.

These two time periods were known for disunity and civil strife, but gave birth to an exceptional period of cultural diversity called the golden age of China. The regional lords built strong armies and increased economic production that resulted into formation of new reforms and ideas. To implement the economic, cultural and military developments, the regional lords realised the employment of skilled and literate officials and teachers on the basis of merit. Later, coinage and technological development took place and this instigated the promotion of commerce in the nation. Iron was used in forging war weapons and manufacturing farm implements. Public works were executed on many projects like flood control, canal digging and irrigation. The northern frontier was enclosed with big walls and broad stretches of land.

Later in the period, various philosophies were developed and this led the era to be precisely known as the Hundred Schools of Thought. Great classical writings were established based on which Chinese practices were implemented for the next two and one-half millennium. A majority of thinkers were also employed as advisors to state rulers on the matters of government, diplomacy and warfare.

The Confucian School in the West was another body of thought that got alive with this period, and became the basis of the traditional Chinese society. Confucius advocated that men should act as per the prescribed relationships; Let the ruler be a ruler and the subject a subject, were his lines, while he also emphasized the social stratification and governmental functions with ethical values.

Another body of thought grew in the Warring States Period is the school of yin-yang and the five elements. It describes the universe in the view of nature, complementary elements of yin (dark, negative, cold, female) and yang (light, positive, hot, male) and the five elements (earth, water, fire, wood and metal). Later, these theories gained much importance in philosophy and belief.

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