Qin (state) - Culture and Society

Culture and Society

Before Qin unified China, each state had its own customs and culture. According to the Tribute of Yu, composed in the 4th century BC, there were nine distinct cultural regions of China, described in detail in the work. The work focuses on the travels of the titular sage, Yu Gong, throughout each of the regions. Other texts, predominantly military, also discussed these cultural variations.

One of these texts was Master Wu, written in response to a query by Marquis Wu of Wei on how to cope with the other states. Wu Qi, the author of the work, declared that the government and nature of the people were reflective of the terrain they live in. Of Qin, he said:

Qin's nature is strong. Its terrain is harsh. Its government is strict. Its rewards and punishments are reliable. Its people are unyielding and belligerent. Therefore, they scatter and fight as individuals. As the way to attack them, one must first entice them with profit and lead them away. Their officers are greedy for gain and will betray their generals. Take advantage of their separation to attack them when scattered, set traps and seize the key moment, then their generals can be captured. —Wuzi, Master Wu

According to Wu, the nature of the people is a result of the government, which is in turn a result of the roughness of the terrain. Each of the states is expounded upon by Wu in this manner.

In his Petition against driving away foreigners (諫逐客書), Li Si mentioned that guzheng and percussion instruments made of pottery and tiles were the characteristics of Qin music.

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