Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army or the "Terracotta Warriors and Horses" is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of QIn Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BC and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

The figures, dating from approximately the late third century BC, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province. The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Current (2007) estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits nearby Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. Other terracotta non-military figures were also found in other pits and they include officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians.

To me, the idea of Terracotta Army is pretty cool as the background idea of how they are supposed to protect the Emperor in his after life amuses me. It shows how the Ancient a China has their own strange beliefs, whether the idea of having Terracotta Army works or not, nobody knows, but the China still have a strong believe in their superstitious culture.

We can learn that the China Emperors in the past possesses authority over his people and is highly respected. He even had his own army that could supposedly protect him in his after life. It shows us that he is demanding and takes pride in himself greatly. 

-clinton

Great Wall of China/ 万里长城

Length: 8,851.8 km (5,500 miles)


Construction Period: About 2,000 years from the Warring States Period (476 BC - 221 BC) to Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

   The ancient Chinese laboring people (common people, farmers, soldiers and slaves)
, had built the wall so as to protect the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups or military incursions by various warlike people or forces, such as the Mongols.

     Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC; these later joined together and made bigger and stronger, are now collectively referred to as the Great Wall. Especially famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Though little of that wall remains, as the Great Wall has on and off been rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced.

      The Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China.

    The Great Wall of China is of great significance to the Chinese. Even including it in a part of their national anthem, “Let our flesh and blood forge a new Great Wall!”, proving it an iconic symbol of China. Many people died during its construction, due to the heavy work, short time limit and tough conditions, archaeologists having discovered many human remains buried under sections of the wall. The Great Wall serves as a monumental importance to the modern people of China today, a symbol of their ancestors’ patriotic act. The Chinese having a well-known saying that translates to: “If you haven’t climbed the Great Wall, you’re not a real man."

The Great Wall of China

http://www.shedexpedition.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/great-wall-of-china.jpeg
Sources:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/facts/who-built.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

Beijing Olympics 2008 (Beijing National Stadium) -Audrey

History 

Located at the Olympic Green, the stadium cost US428 million. The design was awarded to a submission from the Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron in April 2003 after a bidding process that included 13 final submissions. The design, which originated from the study ofChinese ceramics, implemented steel beams in order to hide supports for the retractable roof; giving the stadium the appearance of a bird's nest. Leading Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was the artistic consultant on the project.^[5] The retractable roof was later removed from the design after inspiring the stadium's most recognizable aspect. Ground was broken on 24 December 2003 and the stadium officially opened on 28 June 2008. A shopping mall and a hotel are planned to be constructed to increase use of the stadium, which has had trouble attracting events, football and otherwise, after the Olympics.^[6]

(Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_National_Stadium) 

My Reflections 

From this iconic stadium that the Olympics were held at, I am able to see how China displays their sporty cultures. I believe in the eyes of many, China has have a very good sports records in which they hav earned many awards and medals from various international competitions.