Li Xiu Ying

Ming Magazine

21 April 2021

The Ming dynasty

special

Heritage

Topics

What we have left of the Ming dynasty

The Great Wall of China.
Currency
Artifacts
Art

INSIDE

Economic heritage. Cultural heritage. Art. Landmark.

Welcome

TO MING MAGAZINE

In this magazine we will discuss the heritage of the Ming dynasty through the following aspects:
A. Economic
B. Culture
C. Art
D. Landmarks

In each of these topics the author will talk about what we still have left of the Ming dynasty regarding their aspect.

Enjoy!

What's

INSIDE

A. Economic factors

B. Religion and cultural artifacts.

C. Arts

D. Landmarks

Ming dynasty

economic status

ECONOMIC FACTORS OF THE MING DYNASTY

During 1368-1644 the Ming dynasty of China was the largest economy in the world. This period was one of China’s “golden ages”, this was due to great technological advancements; political influence of trading merchants and the gradual weakening of imperial rule.

Currency
Paper money was produced in the Ming dynasty because of the lack of metal to make bronze coins, and was used until around 1573. The Chinese were the first people to use paper money and successfully convince people of its value, however, due to hyperinflation and money fraud, they began using gold coins again which where harder to replicate than the paper money which was often replicated and used by poorer parts of the economy, which contributed to the hyperinflation. Paper money was made

Agriculture
Many technological advances were made in the gardening department of the economy, which included ploughing and advances water distribution methods. This allowed for mass plantations and aided in the marketing part of the economy. There were three types of markets: the rural market, the urban-rural market, and the national market.

Travel and trade
Trade occurred mostly over seas with European and west Asian countries along the Silk Road. Chinese junk ships were taken to sea in large fleets that traveled for months at a time. Often times travellers would return form voyages with exotic animals, war prisoners and foreign spices.

The cultural heritage

the religion and the cultural artifacts

The Ming dynasty left behind their primary spiritual framework which was Confucianism. Confucianism was, and still is, a belief system that prioritizes social status and respect over pursuits of enlightenment or heaven, which became the Ming dynasty’s foundation.
Confucius, the founder of this belief system, wrote heavily on the concepts of piety, or cultural and spiritual dedication, which he considered to come in a number of forms, including reverence towards one’s parents and elders and reverence of husbands by their wives. Still today in traditional families, women’s job was to bare children and look after them. Most have to give up their job ambitions just to raise their family.

Ming China had a tradition of the woman binding their feet and some people in China still do this as it is considered a cultural action and a symbol of beauty.
They also left behind many stories and lessons that scholars now study and write about when studying Ming China.
Many scholars write about how ruthless Zhu Yuanzhang was – it is suggested that he turned his palace into a system of secret police to demolish any signs of disloyalty. Zhu Yuanzhang had thousands of people killed because he was convinced that they weren’t loyal to him.

Ming also left China with the ties, that were made while exploring and traveling, with the west

Ming Dynasty is also remembered for its drama, literature and world-renowned porcelain which some are still around and in museums, for example vases, bowls and statues.