Overview of Wu culture Suzhou is the birthplace of Wu culture. Wu culture is the inherited culture of Wu land and Wu people. Generally speaking, Wudi is centered on the Taihu Lake Basin, including Nanjing in the west, the area south of Yangzhou and Huaiyin in the north, Shanghai in the east, and western Zhejiang in the south. In Wu dialect, it can reach Wenzhou and Yongjia in Zhejiang in the south, Shanghai in the east, Nantong in the north and a narrow strip of one hundred miles wide along the river east of Yangzhou, and the junction of Danyang in Zhenjiang in the west. Late Paleolithic sites dating back more than 10,000 years ago were discovered on Sanshan Island in Wu County in Taihu Lake, indicating that Wu ancestors had lived and multiplied in this area since at least that time. In recent years, many Neolithic ancestor sites have been discovered in the Zhangjiagang area on the edge of the Yangtze River, the earliest of which is 7,000 years old. The Cao Xie Mountain ruins in Wuxian County (with 10 cultural layers accumulated) on the bank of Yangcheng Lake can completely explain the historical evolution of the region. The tenth cultural layer was around 6,700 to 800 years ago. At this time, the ancestors had already led a settled life, living in wooden buildings and engaged in fishing and agriculture. Industrial production, a large number of artificially cultivated japonica rice has been planted; pigs, dogs, buffalo and other livestock have been raised; from the three pieces of textile fragments obtained, it can be seen that the weaving technology was quite developed at that time, the pattern art was quite superb, and the operation craftsmanship was quite exquisite. Silk ribbons unearthed from the Qian Sanyang site in Wuxing more than 5,000 years ago show that silkworms were first raised by the Wu people in Wudi; the technology of slow silk weaving not only originated in this region, but is also far ahead of the country and the world. The site also unearthed agricultural tools from 5,000 years ago - cadres who made river mud, which shows that the agricultural technology level of this region has long been among the most advanced in the country. Another example is the discovery of pottery with colorful lacquer paintings at sites such as Haiyan and Tuanjie Village in Wujiang, dating back five or six thousand years. What amazes the world even more is the jade artifacts from the Lianggang culture (a large number of them have been discovered in the Qiantang River Basin), all of which are classified as exquisite treasures. This "jade culture" not only demonstrates the wisdom, talent and production level of the Wuyue ancestors, but also has a significant impact on the Chinese nation in many aspects such as ideas, concepts, social systems, national character, even architectural styles, and aesthetic tastes. Archeology and ancient history tell us that there were two major floods in this region in history. One group of ancestors crossed the sea to the north, and the other group crossed the river and entered the Huaihe River into the Central Plains. There were many people, and a few remained at the foothills of the platform. Those who entered the Huaibei Central Plains were known as "Jiuli" and "Sanmiao" in history. After being conquered and surrendered by the Yellow Emperor, Yao, Shun, and Yu, they gradually merged into a branch of the Huaxia tribe. The few tribes that originally stayed on the hills and slopes of the platform gradually developed and grew. In the Zhou Dynasty, the ancestors of Ningzhen and Taihu areas combined into one - the famous Wu State in the Spring and Autumn Period. On the basis of inheriting the Liangqing culture, it blended a certain degree of Central Plains culture in the north, Chu culture in the west, and Yue culture in the south, creating a Wu culture that is of great significance not only in China but also in the world, that is, A very important historical stage in Wu culture. Due to space limitations, only two prominent aspects will be cited: First, in the military field, it was at the forefront of China at that time. The State of Wu not only had tens of thousands of sophisticated land forces, but also had a powerful naval force. Its main warships were ten feet long, and each ship had as many as a hundred chariots. The elite weapons of Wu State were second to none at that time. What is even more significant is that it gave birth to the outstanding military strategist Sun Wu and his famous book "The Art of War", which still has great vitality today. Second, Gusu City, built in a double chessboard pattern on land and water under the supervision of Wu Zixu, is the "first ancient city in Chinese history". It has still retained its original appearance after 2500 years, which is rare not only in China but also in the world! Because the natural environment in the south and north of my country is very different, especially in the Taihu Lake Basin and the water town Zeguo, the regional characteristics within the region are particularly strong and the diversity is obvious. Due to this difference in natural environment, it will inevitably lead to differences in economic development and lifestyle, which will in turn lead to differences in the temperament, customs, customs, consciousness, concepts and aesthetic tastes of the residents. Since ancient times, Wu people have appeared to be smart, elegant, gentle, intelligent and elegant. Later, with the wars and chaos in the north one after another in history, a large number of northern landlords, bureaucrats, and officials migrated to Wudi again and again. Their living habits deepened the above-mentioned characteristics of the Wu people in Wudi. By the Tang and Song Dynasties, Wudi's urban economy and urban cremation were unprecedentedly prosperous. Especially during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Suzhou, the center of Wudi, became the "first metropolis" in the country in terms of population, wealth, industrial and agricultural production, domestic and foreign trade, as well as culture, education, academics, art and other major fields. It was China's capital. The germs of socialism were nurtured here, which made Wu culture particularly rich in connotation, more distinctive in characteristics, and very powerful in vitality, radiating across the country and even many overseas countries and regions. Suzhou City was built in 514 BC and is the "first ancient city in Chinese history" (the second ancient city is Chengdu). The city's circumference was nearly forty miles, similar to that of Luoyang, the capital at that time. The water and land double chessboard pattern is unique. The palaces, gardens, temples, teahouses, restaurants, rivers, and bridges in the city are so beautiful and ingenious that no other city can match them. Around 2500 years ago, a Wu native named Ziyou (Ziyou) studied with Confucius. After returning to Wu, he vigorously spread the teachings of Confucius and was known as the "Southern Master". In the Han Dynasty, there were many schools in Wudi County, and the sound of reciting was endless. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the imperial examination system was established, and specialized schools came into being. By the Song Dynasty, schools in prefectures and counties, social schools in villages and towns, private schools, and scripture houses run by temples were spread all over the country, and academies run by scholars were also most prosperous in Wu. In the Ming Dynasty, there were 700 to 800 social studies schools in Suzhou. In the Qing Dynasty, they developed even more, and all young children could enroll in them. Wu people like to read, which has become a traditional custom.
It is precisely because of this profound and broad educational foundation that during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Suzhou ranked first in the country in terms of the number of people who entered the imperial examinations and won the first prize. Outstanding writers have emerged from generation to generation: Lu Ji, Lu Yun, Prince Zhaoming Xiao Tong, Wei Yingwu, Lu Guimeng, Fan Zhongyan, Fan Chengda, Gao Qi, Wen Zhengming, Feng Menglong, Jin Shengtan, etc. are famous. "Three Words" by Feng Menglong, a master of popular literature, occupies a high position in the history of Chinese literature. Feng made a historic contribution to the collection, organization and creation of "Wu Ge". Wu Ge is a folk song composed by Wu people, especially the lower-class workers. Its form, content and appeal are far more beautiful and moving than the famous Liu Sanjie folk song. It has a long history. Qu Yuan during the Warring States Period admired Wu Ge for its beauty and great historical and social influence. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, major cities across the country had geishas who specialized in singing Wu songs, such as the famous Wang Cuiqiao, Chen Yuanyuan, and Tong Xiaowan. Emperor Chongzhen's favorite concubines Tian Fei and Yuan Fei also used this skill to please the emperor. At that time, it was also fashionable for ordinary people to be able to sing Wu songs. Laughter is one of the oldest languages ??in my country and has remained stable so far. Lu Deming, a phonetician of the Tang Dynasty, often used Wu pronunciation to annotate ancient scriptures. Wu language has been praised as "glutinous, soft, sweet and crisp" since the pre-Qin period, and Emperor Jingchang was proud to imitate Wu language. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was fashionable for all upper-class people, especially women such as concubines and courtesans, to opera actors and entertainers, to speak Wu dialect. Drama and folk art are unique and innovative. The famous Kun Opera was born in Wudi in the Ming Dynasty. Since then, Suzhou has become the most important birthplace and base of traditional Chinese drama. The number of playwrights, scripts and actors and their great influence rank among the top in the country and are still attracting attention at home and abroad. Pingtan combines Pinghua and Tanci into one, speaks Wu dialect, and draws on novels, operas, poems, music, cross talk and other expression techniques. It is a comprehensive art that integrates speaking, gimmicks, playing, singing and acting. It is deeply loved by the masses. , and the Chinese national light music "Jiangnan Sizhu", which is unique in the music world. The Wuzhong classical garden has twists and turns, small and exquisite balls, and changes. It is deeply poetic in conception, layout, and shape, and the beauty of art and nature are harmoniously unified. Urban architecture and the customs and habits of residents are all artistic and elegant, which is a major characteristic of the Wu people. Wumen's calligraphy and painting art is universally recognized. Shen Zhou, Zhu Zhishan, Tang Bohu, Wen Zhengming, etc. were admired by people at home and abroad when they were still alive. At that time, people in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia regarded it as a lifetime honor to obtain the calligraphy and painting of Shen, Tang and Wen. The craftsmanship is exquisite and excellent. Not only was it unique in the country in history, but it is still admired by people at home and abroad in terms of silk, embroidery, wood and stone carving, lanterns, and fan making. The silk and embroidery are exquisite, and the mahogany furniture and carving skills are unparalleled in the world. The beauty and exquisiteness of Suzhou lanterns and Suzhou fans have enjoyed the reputation of being the best in history for a long time. Here are just two small examples to give a glimpse of the whole situation. ① Take care of the phase. Various human figures are made from clay, and their limbs are made of camphor wood. The hands and feet can move, and they are matched with seasonal agricultural ornaments to form various artistic scene decorations. It practicalizes the skills of Yang Huizhi, the master of Chinese sculpture in the Tang Dynasty, and spreads them. When it comes to family culture, its social significance is great. Even a small scar on his forehead can be made lifelike to imitate the appearance of the customer. ② In the early Qing Dynasty, there was a manufacturing shop on Shantang Street, which could use a clockwork as power to make high-end toys such as "Boys Worshiping Guanyin" and "Tu'e Flying to the Moon". Not only the characters' limbs, eyes and mouths could move , even Xiao Yufu in the middle of the month can make medicine one by one. "Exquisite craftsmanship, unparalleled in the country" is indeed a true portrayal of history. Wuzhong's food culture is famous throughout the country for its high quality, exquisiteness, elegance and freshness. Wudi not only has its own system of "Subang cuisine" and a large number of high-end restaurants and restaurants, but is also famous for the exquisite daily dishes that ordinary people pay attention to. Historically, "boat dishes" have the local characteristics of water towns. Suzhou's traditional snacks and pastries and candies have many varieties, complete categories, excellent textures, beautiful tastes, and clever shapes. They have been attracting attention at home and abroad for thousands of years. People were full of praise. The folk customs of Wu, a "treasure bowl" of cultural landscape, are another representative of Wu culture. Historically, it has been known throughout the country for its richness, richness and interest. Regardless of its food, clothing, housing and transportation, production and labor, love and marriage, life etiquette, birth, old age, illness and death, seasonal play, etc., they are all colorful and unique, and there are many It's also of high quality. For example, during the Mid-Autumn Festival in August during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, in addition to the usual moon-viewing, moon cakes and water chestnuts, there was also an all-night national opera singing competition held on Huqiu Mountain; Going to Shantang Street to "see the festival" during the festival is like the most grand and grand "Carnival" in many Western countries. It is unique and rich in content and has bright and strong traditional colors. The ancient Chinese folk song "Dajiu Lianlian" that is sung to this day "There is heaven above, There are Suzhou and Hangzhou below, there is the West Lake in Hangzhou, and there are mountain ponds in Suzhou, two good places..." This is enough evidence. To sum up, it can be seen that Wu culture is a kind of "intellectual and artistic" local culture with the characteristics of Yumi Water Town. It has five essential attributes: water culture, ten fish culture, ten rice culture, ten sericulture culture and ten ship culture. It was also nurtured in the womb of the Great Chinese culture that “emphasizes community, pursues morality, stresses harmony, and advocates the golden mean.” This unity of personality and personality condenses its social and cultural characteristics of "wisdom, delicacy, softness, intelligence and elegance". It is precisely because of this unique social and cultural characteristics that the Wu people in Wudi have prospered in material and spiritual civilization for thousands of years, and it also makes them more open and absorbent than other local cultures. and convergence characteristics. Therefore, it can also be regarded as a kind of economic culture.
The excellent Wu culture will surely make greater and greater contributions to the four modernizations and the great cause of reunification of the motherland.