Gunpowder, Clothing, and Daoism-Buddhism

The Invention of Gunpowder

Gun Powder

Man loading gunpowder filled bamboo

          Gunpowder was invented around 800, when some Daoist scientists were trying to find a way of making gold, by mixing some metals.  Gunpowder has a great effect on world history.  This is because when the formula was discovered, it was because the chemists  mixed together charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter, when they ignited this substance, it exploded.  Gunpowder may have been explosive, but it was also exciting for many people.  Gunpowder was exciting because it was used for festivals for a long time.  It was stuffed into a hollow log of bamboo, then it was ignited and thrown up in the air.  While in the air, the stuffed bamboo stick would explode and make a loud noise, filling people with engaging excitement!  Later on, color was added to the formula, to make it look colorful.

Clothing

Ancient Chinese Clothing

          Clothing was important in many ways, one way is that it helped people clarify their class.  The upper class generally wore bright colors, the common people were forbidden to wear bright colors, and the peasants wore long shirt like garments over some trousers that ended at the mid calf.  For men, the clothing they wore were robes that were so wide they were often weighed down so they wouldn't wouldn't flap while they were hanging men also wore elaborated head gear, that reflected their position, and status, hats made from lacquered cloth or even sometimes leather.  A noble women wore a long skirt and jacket, topped by a short sleeved, upper garment.  Her shoes were made of silk brocade.  Her long hair was gathered and arranged in a topknot, held in place by delicately carved hairpins and combs, they would also put on thick make-up-layers of face powder rouge.  Courtiers and their wives wore flowing silk garments that fell to their feet.

Daoism- Buddhism

Buddha

          Religion had switched during the Tang Dynasty, it went from Daoism to Buddhism. Emperor Goazu was not a Buddhist, because he did not support the religion. He issued an official educate defining Daoism and Confucianism as the 2 pillars of Chinese culture. Although Gaozu did not support Buddhism, doesn't mean that Taizong didn't afterwards. Taizong had a little interest in Buddhism, he did hold an important audience with a Buddhist monk, just the year before he died. Near his death, Taizong switched the religion from Daoism to Buddhism.