National Museum of Natural Science

To achieve a long and healthy life, the ancient Han Chinese believed in a nutritious diet, prayer, meditation and periodic fasting. In addition, they studied how to guide the flow of “chi”—energy—throughout the body, and even produced special medicines. However, knowing that death would eventually come, they planned for life in the afterworld, which was considered to be a reflection of life and society on Earth.

Since ancient times, the Han Chinese have mixed myths and legends developed from observations of the Heavens, and have combined Confucian theory with Taoist naturalism. The Han Chinese believe that man is deeply connected to the universe. Although one concept holds that an individual is the center of the universe, an equally important concept is to respect others. The Han Chinese place particular importance on ethics, social hierarchy and blood relationships. In addition, they emphasize that man is a miniature of the universe, and that man and the universe are one. Thus, from the development of the universe, comes the development of man. And, from the universe, man receives enlightenment, all part of the plan of the spiritual world.