Preparation: 1
  • Introduce the lesson by discussing "Chapter Nine: Ancient China" in the textbook A Message of Ancient Days and the video Ancient China: Ancient Civilizations for Children. (See Resources.)
     
  • Use notes taken during discussion as background knowledge of Asia's history.
     
  • Refer to maps (see Materials and Tools section) to introduce students to the influence of Taoism on literature and art.
     
  • Go over with students terms and symbols that were important to Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cultures on the Vocabulary List.

Yin and Yang 
Symbols Worksheet
Preparation: 2

Visit the DIA to view works of art from the Asian collection. If both the art and social studies teachers accompany the students during this visit, students have the option of completing the Yin and Yang Symbols Worksheet to prepare for their art lesson.

Resources

Books

Adkinson, Robert, ed. Sacred Symbols: Tao. New York, 1996.
Contains information on Taoist symbols.

Armento, Beverly J. A Message of Ancient Days. Boston, 1991.
Social Studies text. For a brief overview of Chinese history see chapter nine. Visit http://www.hmco.com/ for any questions about Houghton Mifflin texts.

Cotterell, Arthur. Ancient China. New York, 1994.
Contains more information on ancient China, including a timeline.

Eberhard, Wolfram. A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols: Hidden Symbols in Chinese Life and Thought. New York, 1986.
Contains information on Chinese symbols.

Kim, Nak-pil. "Taoism in Korea: A Brief Introduction." Kim Chongsuh, ed.
Reader in Korean Religion. Songnam, 1993.
Contains information about Korean Taoism.

Mitchell, Stephen. Tao Te Ching: A New English Version. New York, 1988.
A translation of the classic book on Taoist thought written by Lao Zi during the fourth century BC.

Mittler, Gene A., and Rosalind Ragans. "Art of the Far East." Understanding Art. New York, 1999.
Contains an introduction to Asian art.

Pitkanen, Matti A. and Reijo Harkonen. The Children of China. Minneapolis, 1990.
Contains an introduction to Chinese culture geared to the interests of children.

Sung, Vivian. Five Fold Happiness: Chinese Concepts of Luck, Prosperity, Longevity, Happiness, and Wealth. San Francisco, 2002.
Contains detailed explanations of Chinese symbols.

Video

Schlessinger, Andrew. Ancient China: Ancient Civilizations for Children. Wynnewood, PA, 1998. Video cassette, 23 minutes.
Contains a brief introduction to ancient China, including a visit to the Great Wall.

Web sites

Taoism
http://www.artic.edu/taoism/introduction.php
This site contains information on the exhibition Taoism and the Arts of China at the Art Institute of Chicago.
 
Maps
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/hand/
hg_d_hand_d1map.htm
This site shows the map of Han Dynasty China. It represents only one time period. Supplemental maps may be used.

China
http://www.gigglepotz.com/china.htm
The site includes an introduction to Taoism and has fun features like translating your name into Chinese.

http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/prehistory/china/
This site offers dates, maps, and historical information for Chinese dynasties or periods, including a timeline.

Korea
http://www2.gol.com/users/quakers/T&QTao.htm
Contains an advanced reading about Taoist thought and philosophy.

http://www.aasianst.org/absts/1995abst/korea/kses73.htm
Includes advanced reading on Korean Taoism.

http://www.ktnet.co.kr/enghome/culture/faith.html#cc
Compares and contrasts Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in Korean culture.

Japan

http://www.japan-101.com/culture/
culture_religion_daoism.htm
Contains a brief description of how Taoism has influenced Japanese culture.

http://www.eng.taoism.org.hk/general-daoism/
development-of-daoism/pg1-2-8-3-4.asp
Contains a brief description of the development of Taoism in Japan.

http://www.geocities.com/fascin8or/jsp_taoism.htm
Contains information about Taoism in Japan and its adoption as a philosophy rather than a religion.

Vocabulary List
click here to get a Word file of the vocabulary list.

Many of the vocabulary words can be found in the main social studies text A Message of Ancient Days. (See Resources.)

General Terms
ancestor  A relative who lived in the past; a person from whom one is descended, usually more distant than a grandparent.
auspicious  Lucky; a favorable sign or symbol which invites good fortune.
cosmic  Relating to the universe in contrast to the earth; often characterized by vast expanses of space or time.
culture  The total transmissible result of living together that consists of knowledge, belief preferences, and behavior, which is transmitted to succeeding generations.
immortal  A person who is exempt from death and will live forever; unending existence.
longevity  Property of being long-lived.
nobility  A class of people having high birth, rank, or social position.
prosperity  A condition of prospering; having good fortune.
sacred  An item or object that is highly valued and important, entitling it to much reverence and respect (such as the fungus of immortality, which is a prized symbol of longevity).
symbols  A visible sign, object, or something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship; for example $ is a symbol for money.

Chinese Terms
dialect  A different spoken form of the same written language. In China there are many different dialects and great differences exist among some dialects.
money tree  A sculpture composed of a pottery base and a bronze tree depicting Taoist imagery. The tree branches are decorated with Chinese coin motifs and representations of the Taoist deity the Queen Mother of the West and other immortal and auspicious beings.
Queen Mother
of the West
(Xiwangmu) 		 A major Taoist deity who was very popular during the Han Dynasty. She was believed to possess the elixir of immortality. In Han dynasty art she is often depicted seated on her throne comprised of a tiger and a dragon, symbolic of her dominion over all creation — the tiger symbolizes the west and the dragon symbolizes the east.
Taoism  The teachings and theories which explain the meaning of Tao or the Way as the origin of all creation and the force that lies behind the functions and changes of the natural world. This spiritual approach to life focuses on living in harmony with the Tao.
yin/yang  Han philosophers explained that the universe is run by a single principle, the Tao, which is composed of two opposite principles: yin, encompassing femaleness, the moon, completion, cold, darkness, earth, submission; and yang representing maleness, the sun, creation, heat, light, heaven, and dominance.

Korean Terms
celadon  Celadon is the term given to ceramic wares made with a green glaze initially created to imitate the look of jade. These wares were made in great quantities both in China and Korea. In Korea, they were a prestige item, popular among the wealthy. They were used in daily life and sometimes included in tombs.
fungus  A mushroom like plant that lacks chlorophyll and includes molds, mildews, smuts, and yeasts; the fungus of immortality is considered to have vital nutritive value in Chinese medicine.

Japanese Terms
Noh Theater  The oldest existing form of traditional theater in Japan. Masked actors wearing elaborate costumes perform on a nearly bare stage by dancing and using language that is mostly poetic. A chorus chants in the background providing narration, accompanied by the drums and flute.