Tang Dynasty ( 618-907)

Tang Dynasty, which lasted from 618 to 907 AD, is regarded as the apex of both Chinese and global civilization. This historical era was marked by notable developments in technology and culture, in addition to its notable contributions to philosophy, politics, literature, and the arts.

We shall look at the salient features, historical significance, and enduring impact of the Tang Dynasty in the sections that follow.

History of the Tang Dynasty

After the Sui Dynasty collapsed, the Tang Dynasty arose, a time of recuperation and stabilization that established the groundwork for its eventual affluence. Emperor Gaozu, the Tang Dynasty’s first ruler, and other emperors guided the establishment of a strong, centralized state. Its capital, Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an), drew intellectuals, traders, and artists from across Eurasia, developing into a global trade and culture center.

Emperors of the Tang Dynasty

The rulers of the Tang Dynasty, who introduced reforms, extended the empire’s boundaries, and promoted the growth of culture and the arts, were primarily responsible for the prosperity and longevity of the period. Every emperor, from Gaozu, the first to the more recent ones, made a special contribution to the dynasty’s splendor.

Emperor	Reign Period	Real Name	Key Contributions
Emperor Gaozu	618-626 AD	Li Yuan	Founder of the Tang Dynasty established the dynasty’s foundation, reformed the government, and promoted economic recovery.
Emperor Taizong	626-649 AD	Li Shimin	Expanded the empire’s borders, established effective governance, promoted cultural achievements, and is considered one of China’s greatest emperors.
Emperor Gaozong	649-683 AD	Li Zhi	Continued his predecessors’s policies and during his reign, his wife Wu Zetian’s influence increased, she later became China’s only female emperor.
Emperess Wu Zetian	690-705 AD	Wu Zhao	Declared herself emperor, founding the Zhou Dynasty, noted for administrative reforms and expansion of the imperial examination system.
Emperor Xuanzong	712-756 AD	Li Longji	His early reign marked the High Tang, a period of prosperity, but later faced the An Lushan Rebellion, which significantly weakened the dynasty.
Emperor Zhaozong	888-904 AD	Li Ye	His reign was marked by turmoil and control by warlords, and his assassination marked the end of effective imperial rule, leading to the dynasty’s collapse.

Extent of the Tang Empire

The Chinese Empire reached its greatest geographic extent under the Tang dynasty, which included nearly all of modern-day China, as well as portions of Southeast Asia, Manchuria, Mongolia, Tibet, and a sizable portion of Central Asia. Contact with Eastern Europeans and other Asian peoples was made easier by this expansion. A robust global commercial network was promoted during the Tang Dynasty, enabling the flow of products and ideas. Furthermore, Chinese cultural influence extended throughout the region, most notably to the Japanese, aiding in the expansion of culture.

Capital of Tang Dynasty

The capital of the Tang Dynasty was Chang’an (present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi Province). Chang’an was one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world at the time, serving as a major hub for culture, politics, and trade during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE).

Clothing in Tang Dynasty

Clothing during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) reflected the era’s prosperity, openness to foreign cultures, and innovations in textile production. Tang Dynasty fashion is renowned for its elegance, vibrant colors, and variety, influenced by interactions with Central Asia, Persia, India, and beyond through the Silk Road. Here’s an overview of Tang Dynasty clothing:

For Women

• Ruqun (襦裙): A common attire for women, consisting of a blouse (ru) and a wrap-around skirt (qun). The waistline of the skirt could be high or low, depending on the fashion of the time.
• Banbi (半臂): A half-sleeve jacket worn over the blouse.
• Daxiushan (大袖衫): A large-sleeved robe that could be worn over other garments, notable for its wide sleeves and often luxurious materials.
• Women’s fashion in the Tang Dynasty also included wearing multiple layers, with elaborate patterns and bright colors. There was a significant Persian and Central Asian influence on the textiles, including the use of silk, brocade, and patterns.
• Hairstyles were elaborate, often piled high and adorned with accessories such as flowers, hairpins, and jeweled ornaments.

For Men

• Shenyi (深衣): A long robe that was a common form of attire, consisting of a tunic and skirt sewn together. It could be belted at the waist.
• Pibo (披帛): A long scarf or shawl that men draped around their arms, often used as a decorative accessory.
• Men’s clothing, similar to women’s, emphasized loose and comfortable garments that allowed for easy movement.

Footwear

• Both men and women wore leather or cloth boots, shoes with upturned toes, and sandals. The choice of footwear often depended on the season and the wearer’s social status.

Materials and Accessories

• Silk was the predominant fabric, reflecting China’s advanced sericulture. Clothes often featured intricate embroidery and were available in a wide range of colors, thanks to advancements in dyeing techniques.
• Accessories were an important part of Tang fashion, including belts, hats, and headgear that denoted the wearer’s social status.

Influence of Foreign Cultures

• The Tang Dynasty’s openness to foreign cultures greatly influenced its fashion. This period saw the integration of styles, patterns, and garments from across the Silk Road, making Tang Dynasty attire among the most diverse and rich in Chinese history.

The fashion of the Tang Dynasty is celebrated for its aesthetic appeal and cultural significance, reflecting the dynasty’s golden age of art, culture, and economic prosperity.

Tang Dynasty – Great Cultural Era

Academic and creative expression were encouraged to flourish during the Tang rulers. Tang authors created a large body of work that reflected the great cultural diversity of the time, specialising in poetry. Tang painters demonstrated their skill and inventiveness by mastering the painting of portraits and landscapes. Furthermore, Tang artists painted elaborate patterns on ceramics, which are today highly valued objects that are displayed in Western museums due to their artistic and historical value.

Tang Dynasty – Poet

• Poetry Academy has Over 48,900 poems by 2,000 poets were saved throughout the Tang Dynasty thanks to Xuanzong’s establishment of a poetry academy.
• Renowned Daoist poet Li Bai (701 A.D.) is well-known for her roaming lifestyle and her poetry about friendship, nature, and the meaning of drinking.
• Bai Juyi (772 A.D.) introduced poetry that addressed political and social issues and was understandable to peasants. 846 A.D., a lifelong government employee, passed away.
• Wang Wei (699 A.D.) was a Tang court official who, after his wife was killed in a rebellion, produced well-known poetry from a Buddhist monastery.
• Li Shangyin (813 A.D.) was a poet of the late period who combined political satire and sensuality in an eclectic, visually striking manner. Popularity after death ensued.

Tang Dynasty – Printing

• Development in the Tang Era: Around 650 A.D., woodblock printing began in the early Tang era.
• Widespread Use in the Ninth Century: Started to appear more frequently in the ninth century and was used in dictionaries, almanacks, children’s books, test guides, charm manuals, and calendars, among other works.
• The Emergence of Commercial Books: Around 762 A.D., commercial book printing was underway.
• Prohibition of Private Printing (835 A.D.): In 835 A.D., private printing was outlawed as a result of the dissemination of unapproved calendars.
• Oldest Surviving manuscript: The Diamond Sutra, a 16-foot scroll with drawings and calligraphy, dates to 868 A.D. and is the oldest Tang era printed manuscript still in existence.

Achievements of Tang Dynasty

Below is a table summarizing the key achievements of the Tang Dynasty, which reigned from 618 to 907 CE and is considered one of China’s golden ages in terms of art, culture, and political power.

Achievement	Description
Cultural Flourishing	The Tang Dynasty is renowned for its poetry, painting, and sculpture. Poets like Li Bai and Du Fu became iconic figures of Chinese literature.
Buddhism	Buddhism flourished during the Tang, with the translation of Buddhist scriptures and the construction of the famous Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an to store Buddhist texts.
Innovations	Innovations of the period include the invention of woodblock printing, advancements in medicine, and the development of gunpowder.
Trade and the Silk Road	The Tang Dynasty saw the expansion of the Silk Road, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges with regions as far as the Middle East and Europe.
Capital City	Chang’an (modern-day Xi’an), the capital, became one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world, epitomizing the dynasty’s prosperity.
Legal Code	The Tang Code was a comprehensive legal system that influenced the law in China and other East Asian countries for centuries.
Examination System	The civil service examination system was expanded, allowing for a more meritocratic approach to bureaucracy.
Cosmopolitan Society	The Tang Dynasty was noted for its cosmopolitan nature, welcoming traders, travelers, and scholars from across Asia.
Territorial Expansion	At its height, the Tang Empire expanded its territory far into Central Asia, exerting influence over the Korean Peninsula and parts of what is today Vietnam.
Agriculture and Economy	Agricultural innovations and the equal-field system of land distribution helped stabilize and grow the economy.

Decline of the Tang Dynasty

After 820 A.D., palace intrigue grew under the Tang Dynasty, characterised by eunuch conspiracies that led to the assassinations of several emperors in succession. In order to foil eunuch plots, Emperor Wenzong, along with his chancellor and general, staged “The Sweet Dew incident” in 835 A.D. This event resulted in the public death of three prominent ministers and their families as well as the murder of 1,000 officials. By the year 860 A.D., gangs and armies were terrorising and pillaging the countryside, causing havoc. In 880 A.D., disgraced civil servant Huang Chao took control and put 3,000 poets to death. Zhu Wen brought an end to the Tang Dynasty in 907, establishing the Hou Liang dynasty and igniting the turbulent period known as the Five Dynasties.

Interesting Facts on Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) is often regarded as a high point in Chinese civilization, as well as a golden age of cosmopolitan culture. Here are some interesting facts about this dynamic period:

1. Cultural Diversity: The Tang Dynasty was incredibly cosmopolitan, with its capital Chang’an (modern Xi’an) being one of the most international cities of its time, home to traders, scholars, and diplomats from across Asia and beyond.
2. Poetry Flourished: Poetry became an integral part of society during the Tang era, with over 48,900 poems penned by some 2,200 authors surviving today. Famous poets like Li Bai, Du Fu, and Wang Wei produced works that are still celebrated.
3. The Silk Road: The Tang Dynasty saw the Silk Road reach its zenith, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between East and West. Chang’an became a key trading hub, linking China to the Middle East, India, and Europe.
4. Innovations and Inventions: The period witnessed significant technological and cultural advancements, including the development of woodblock printing, which revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge.
5. Women’s Fashion: Women’s fashion during the Tang Dynasty was characterized by vibrant colors, high waistlines, and wide sleeves. The style emphasized freedom and elegance, reflecting the era’s liberal attitudes.
6. Tea Culture: The Tang Dynasty is credited with formalizing the tea culture in China. Lu Yu’s “The Classic of Tea,” the first comprehensive work on cultivating, making, and drinking tea, was written during this period.
7. Buddhism: Buddhism saw a significant expansion throughout China during the Tang Dynasty, with the government actively promoting Buddhism as a state religion. The famous Buddhist cave temples of Dunhuang were expanded during this time.
8. Capital City Chang’an: The Tang capital, Chang’an, was the most populous city in the world at the time, with an estimated population of up to one million people. The city was a center for culture, politics, and trade.
9. Imperial Examinations: The Tang Dynasty perfected the Imperial Examination system, which selected candidates for the state bureaucracy based on merit rather than on birthright or connections. This system influenced civil service recruitment in China and other countries for centuries.
10. Foreign Relations: The Tang Dynasty maintained extensive foreign relations, exerting influence over neighboring states and receiving foreign envoys from as far as the Byzantine Empire.

Conlusion

In conclusion, the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) represents the apex of Chinese civilization and the height of world culture. Significant contributions to politics, literature, philosophy, and the arts, as well as noteworthy developments in technology and society, define its legacy. While leaders like Empress Wu had a lasting influence on politics and social mores, emperors like Taizong and Xuanzong promoted wealth through reforms, geographical conquest, and cultural patronage. Due to the Tang Dynasty’s wide territorial conquests, contacts with other cultures were made easier, which promoted a strong international trade network and expanded Chinese cultural influence throughout Asia. The Tang Dynasty’s lasting influence continues to influence Chinese history and culture even in the face of its eventual collapse due to intrigue within the palace and outside forces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the source of the Tang Dynasty’s wealth?

Strong central government, innovative economic practices, and liberal trade policies—which included the resuscitation and growth of the Silk Road—were the main drivers of the Tang Dynasty’s prosperity.

What cultural effects did the Tang Dynasty leave behind?

Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia were among the surrounding regions that the Tang Dynasty greatly influenced culturally through the Silk Road and its cosmopolitan capital, Chang’an.

How did women function throughout the Tang Dynasty?

The Tang Dynasty afforded women a comparatively elevated status, with a few, such as Empress Wu Zetian, ascending to positions of notable governmental authority.

What effects did Buddhism have on the Tang Dynasty?

During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism flourished and had a profound impact on philosophy, literature, and art. It had an impact on the state’s government as well because a number of the emperors were ardent Buddhists.

What caused the Tang Dynasty to fall?

A number of events, including foreign invasions, domestic uprisings, and official corruption, contributed to the Tang Dynasty’s downfall.