Ancient China Vocab

Dynastyfamily of rulers

Yellow RiverMain river in northern China

Loessnutrient-rich soil that is distributed by wind

vegetationplants and crops

terraina piece (or stretch) of land

Mandate of heavenChinese belief that rulers had the blessing and support of heaven to

rule

feudalisman economic system in which land is traded for labor

laborwork

reformto change (usually for the better)

Confucianism-Chinese philosophy that promotes respect$

$-based on the teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucius

ancestorsrelatives far back in your family

heritagetraits, customs, and items inherited from ancestors

hierarchyorganizing people or groups by status of authority

civil serviceworker of the government

Daoism (Taoism)-Chinese philosophy that promotes simple living and balance

yin and yangbalancing opposite forces

LegalismChinese philosophy that promotes obedience

emperorruler of a empire

obediencefollowing commands, rules, and orders

standardizeto make the same

invasionto enter another area and attack

Immortallasting forever

silkfiber used for making cloth

Silk roadnetwork of trade routes that stretched thousands of

miles across China

caravantraveling in a group

Great Wall of ChinaGiant wall built to help protect China