Chang 'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, is like a brilliant pearl embedded in the land of China, shining brightly in the long river of time. At this time, the Tang Dynasty had reached its peak of prosperity. All aspects were developing vigorously, presenting a scene of astonishing prosperity. Its charm was unparalleled and attracted the attention of the whole world.
In the realm of poetry, the Tang Dynasty stands like a majestic peak in the clouds of history. Batch after batch of exceptionally talented poets shone like brilliant stars.
Li Bai, the unrestrained and free-spirited poet immortal, traveled the world with a sword in hand, indulging in drinking and revelry. His poems were as unrestrained and unrestrained as a horse in the sky. The line "Every talent is destined to be useful; even if all the gold is spent, it will come back again" fully demonstrated his carefree and confident demeanor, captivating countless people.
Du Fu, with a heart full of compassion for the common people, wrote with compassion for the sufferings of the world. His lines, "The rich and the bad smell of wine and meat, and the frozen bones on the road," profoundly exposed the injustice of society. His melancholy and cadence poetic style is like the grand chimes of a yellow bell, touching people's hearts.
Their poems, along with the masterpieces of many other poets, are like a string of brilliant pearls, connecting the glorious chapters of Tang poetry. They are passed down and praised by people in the streets and alleys, as well as in the common folk, becoming treasures of Tang culture. Every person who recites them can feel the majestic spirit and romantic sentiment of the Tang Dynasty.
The field of painting is also full of talents and excellent works. Wu Daozi, with his extraordinary skills and unique "Wu Dai Dang Feng" painting technique, has become a leading figure in the art world. His paintings, whether depicting immortals, ghosts and monsters or the various aspects of human life, are all vivid and lifelike, as if endowed with life. When people stand in front of his paintings, they can feel the vitality and charm of the figures in the paintings, as if they could travel through time and space and enter the world within the paintings.
Yan Liben, on the other hand, excels in figure painting. With his meticulous and detailed brushstrokes, he vividly portrays the expressions and demeanors of the characters. His "Emperor Taizong's Procession" vividly records the scene of Emperor Taizong of Tang receiving envoys from Tubo. The expressions and costumes of the figures in the painting all demonstrate the majesty and solemnity of the Tang Dynasty.
There are also many painters who use landscapes as ink and flowers and birds as brushes to create exquisite masterpieces with care. These paintings either showcase the magnificence of the Tang Dynasty's mountains and rivers or depict the bustling life of the common people. From different perspectives, they present the rich and diverse society of the Tang Dynasty and have become important carriers for the inheritance of Tang culture, showcasing the unique charm of Tang painting art to the world.
In terms of music, the Tang Dynasty was even more distinctive, playing the strongest note of The Times. In the imperial court, elegant music resounded melodiously, fully demonstrating the majesty and dignity of the royal family. The musicians, dressed in splendid costumes, played grand yet elegant music with instruments such as chime bells, zither and se, and flute and flute in the resplendent palace.
The clear and pleasant sound of the chime bells, like the grand melody of a yellow bell, is truly touching. The harmonious harmonies of the zither and the se are melodious and lingering, like a gentle stream, nourishing the heart. The ethereal timbre of the flute and xiao is like a gentle breeze in the mountains, weaving through the music and creating a dreamlike and enchanting atmosphere.
Among the common people, music is also flourishing and full of vitality. On the streets and in the alleys, cheerful tunes can be heard everywhere. Music houses sprang up all over Chang 'an like mushrooms after rain. Every night, when the lights came on, the music houses were brightly lit and the sounds of music and bamboo could be heard constantly. Folk musicians gather here to exchange playing techniques and attempt new musical creations. They ingeniously combined the traditional music of Central Plains with the charm of the Western Regions, creating many novel and unique musical pieces.
There are both classic pieces like "The Feathered Robe and the Flowing Skirt" that are melodious and dreamy, as well as folk tunes that are lively and full of vitality. These musical works, some extol love, some praise life, and some express lofty aspirations. They are like lively spirits, leaping in every corner of the Tang Dynasty, bringing endless joy and comfort to people, and also enabling the music culture of the Tang Dynasty to spread further and wider.
Dance art also reached an unprecedented height in the Tang Dynasty. The court dance is elegant and grand. The dancers, dressed in magnificent costumes, dance gracefully at the court banquet. Their dance moves are light and graceful, smooth and natural. Accompanied by the melodious music, they vividly present the prosperity and splendor of the Tang Dynasty.
The "Feathered Robe and Flowing Skirt Dance" is a representative example. The dancers are like fairies descending to the mortal world, with long sleeves and graceful postures, as if transporting people into a fairyland. Folk dances, on the other hand, are full of the flavor of life and are more lively and cheerful.
During the festival celebrations, people flock to the streets, form circles and sing and dance. Their dance movements are simple yet rhythmic, brimming with love for life and anticipation for the future. Whether it is court dance or folk dance, they have all become vivid manifestations of Tang culture, showcasing the spiritual outlook and artistic creativity of the Tang people.
The calligraphy art of the Tang Dynasty also shone brightly. Yan Zhenqing's regular script is powerful in brushwork, dignified and majestic, full of tension like "Yan's tendons". His work "Yan Qinli Stele" features a strict font structure and a grand momentum, fully demonstrating the grandeur and magnificence of the Tang Dynasty. Liu Gongquan's calligraphy is vigorous and powerful, as firm and forceful as the "willow bone". His "Mysterious Pagoda Stele" features upright strokes and exquisite structure, giving people a sense of upright and unyielding beauty.
There are also many renowned calligraphers such as Ouyang Xun and Chu Suiliang. Their works have diverse styles, but all have reached an extremely high artistic standard. Calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty was not merely an art form; it was also an important way for scholars and refined people to cultivate their character and refine their nature.
Whether in the imperial study or in the private schools of the common people, one can always see people practicing calligraphy. One by one, calligraphy works, either hung in the hall or cherished among the desks of scholars, have become unique symbols of the Tang Dynasty culture, highlighting its profound cultural heritage.
Architectural art also demonstrated a unique charm in the Tang Dynasty. In the city of Chang 'an, the palace buildings are grand and imposing, with upturned eaves and brackets, elaborately carved beams and painted pillars, fully demonstrating the majesty and dignity of the royal family. The Hanyuan Hall of the Tang Dynasty Palace is tall and majestic, with imposing buildings. Standing in front of the hall, one can feel the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty.
In folk architecture, however, residential buildings emphasize the combination of practicality and aesthetics. The layout of a quadrangle courtyard is well-arranged and staggered. The courtyard is filled with flowers, plants and trees, exuding a strong sense of life. Temple architecture is also unique. Pagodas such as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda are elegant in shape and exquisite in structure. They are not only symbols of religious beliefs but also outstanding representatives of the architectural art of the Tang Dynasty.
These buildings, with their unique styles and exquisite craftsmanship, have become the material carriers of Tang Dynasty culture, presenting the glorious history of the Tang Dynasty to future generations.
In terms of technology, Datang has also achieved remarkable accomplishments. In the field of astronomy and calendar, the monk Yixing, through observation and research, compiled the "Dayan Calendar", whose accuracy was at the world's leading level at that time. He also invented astronomical observation instruments such as the ecliptic gyroscope, making significant contributions to the development of astronomy.
In medicine, Sun Simiao is respectfully known as the "Medicine King". His "Thousand Gold Prescriptions" and "Thousand Gold Wing Prescriptions" summarized the medical achievements before the Tang Dynasty, covering the diagnosis and treatment methods of various clinical departments and drug knowledge, and had a profound influence on the development of medicine in later generations.
Agricultural technology has also been constantly advancing. The invention and promotion of the curved-plow have greatly enhanced agricultural production efficiency and promoted the development of agriculture. These scientific and technological achievements not only promoted the progress of Tang society but also contributed to the development of world civilization.
The education cause in the Tang Dynasty also flourished. In the capital city of Chang 'an, there are higher education institutions such as the Imperial College, gathering renowned scholars and masters from all over the world. They impart knowledge of Confucian classics, poetry, songs, history and culture, and have cultivated batch after batch of outstanding talents.
Private schools and academies in various places have sprung up like mushrooms after rain, providing educational opportunities for the children of ordinary people. Whether they are the children of high-ranking officials or students from poor families, they can all absorb the nourishment of knowledge and enhance their cultural literacy in such an educational environment. The popularization of education laid a solid foundation for the prosperity of Tang Dynasty culture and provided a continuous supply of talent support for the country's development.
The cultural influence of the Tang Dynasty spread like ripples in all directions, not only deeply rooted in people's hearts within the country, but also spreading to neighboring countries and even the world. Japan, Silla and other countries sent students to study the culture of the Tang Dynasty one after another. They absorbed the knowledge of poetry, painting, music, architecture, science and technology and other aspects of the Tang Dynasty with great eagerness.
After these overseas students returned to their home countries, they spread the culture of the Tang Dynasty, which had a profound impact on the local cultural development. The cultural envoys of the Tang Dynasty also frequently visited various countries. They brought the cultural treasures of the Tang Dynasty and showcased the charm of the Tang Dynasty on the international stage.
The silk, porcelain, tea and other commodities of the Tang Dynasty were also exported overseas along the Silk Road and became treasures that countries all over the world yearned for. During the process of cultural exchange, the culture of the Tang Dynasty continuously absorbed the essence of foreign cultures, further enriched and developed itself, and became the center of world culture at that time.
Looking back on the glorious history of the Tang Dynasty, from the bold and graceful poetry to the vivid and lifelike paintings; From the melodious and touching music to the graceful and charming dance; From the vigorous and elegant style of calligraphy to the magnificent and exquisite architecture; From the innovative breakthroughs in science and technology to the vigorous development of education, every field shines with the light of wisdom.
All these achievements would not have been possible without the hard work of countless scholars, artists, scientists and the broad masses of the working people. With their talents and sweat, they forged the glory of Tang culture. At the same time, it was also thanks to the wise decisions and vigorous promotion of the rulers such as Emperor Li Yi, Empress Dowager Lin Yue, and the new Emperor Li Muyang that they created a relaxed and free cultural creation environment, allowing the culture of the Tang Dynasty to shine brightly in the long river of history.
As night fell, the city of Chang 'an was ablaze with lights, as bright as day. The melodious music and the recitation of poetry by people still come from the restaurants and tea houses. The cultural prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, just like these brilliant lights, illuminated the historical sky and became a beautiful story passed down through the ages, inspiring generation after generation to make unremitting efforts for the inheritance and development of culture.
The Tang Dynasty, a great dynasty that flourished under the nourishment of culture, will always stand firm in the east of the world, becoming an indelible brilliant pearl in the history of human civilization. Its glorious chapters will be forever engraved on the monument of history, for future generations to admire and praise.