How a Flood Thousands of Years Ago Literally Made History! | Song of the Yellow River

In Chinese, men means gate. Along the Yellow River, places with men in their names often mark important passes through the valley. Longmen, or Dragon Gate, is one such pass. It is significant in geology, history, and legend. Legend has it that Yu the Great opened the narrow Longmen Pass while controlling floods, giving it the alternate name Yumenkul, or Yu's Gate. His success in taming the waters led to his rise as the founder of China's first dynasty, the Xia. Chinese historical accounts often begin with this era. The person who recorded Yu's story as history, deeply influencing later generations, was also born in Longmen. I was born in Longmen. I tended fields and herded animals at the north of the Yellow River, the southern foot of Longmen Mountain. So wrote Sima Qian, the author of Records of the Grand Historian, China's first general history book. Longmen, nestled in Hancheng, Shanxi Province, was Sima Qian's hometown. At 38, he began his life's work, a 520,000-character chronicle incorporating 3,000 years of Chinese history from the Yellow Emperor to 101 BC. The project took more than a decade to complete. His systematic record became the foundation of China's cultural memory for generations. In Sima Qian's account, the tale of Yu the Great, the legendary founder of the Xia Dynasty, begins with the great floods of the Yellow River. The Annals of Xia record. During the time of the Emperor Yao, floodwaters surged towards the heavens. This line foreshadows the challenge Yu would later face. Charged with taming the floods, Yu the Great was tormented by worry and dedicated himself entirely to the task. Sima Qian wrote that he lived outside his home for 13 years. Finally, he brought peace to the Yu's triumph over the floods marked the return of order from chaos for China's early people. It is with this myth that Chinese history begins. No river has shaped a civilization as deeply as the Yellow River has shaped China. Since the dawn of the nation's history, the river has held a In the Religious Sacrificial Ceremonies chapter of Records of the Grand Historian, Sima Qian asserted that the heartlands of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties all lay along the Yellow River and Luohe River. Which region was Sima Qian referring to? A glance at the map answers that question. Near Tongguan Pass, the Yellow River takes a sharp turn eastward. In this area, the Luohe River, originating in Shanxi, merges with the Yehe River to form the Yiluo River, which then joins the Yellow River. The phrase between the Yellow and Luohe Rivers refers specifically to the Luoyang Basin and its surrounding areas, including western Henan and southern Shaanxi. Songshan Mountain is the eastern extension of the Qinling Mountains, marking the boundary between northern and southern China. It sits at the meeting point of the Luoyang Basin and the North China Plain, its eastern slope facing the plain, its western side overlooking the basin. Over the years, right across this region, archaeologists have unearthed traces of long-lost dynasties. Chiefly, the conclusion they have drawn from these excavations is that from the dawn of Chinese civilization to the Northern Song Dynasty, this region remained the center of Chinese political and cultural life. The Xiao Xiang Lion Dance is a national intangible cultural heritage. Not far from the performers, the Yiluo River flows into the Yellow River. Today, the land between the Yellow River and Luohe River is still full of life, the ancient and the modern living side by side. Everything has changed, yet, in a sense, it's as if nothing's changed at all. What makes this place so special? Why have people kept coming here generation after generation? Over 4,000 years ago, along the Yellow River and Yangtze River, diverse cultures emerged in river valleys across China, each developing its own way of life and methods of production. As cultures in various regions advanced toward civilization, the middle and lower reaches of Yellow River gradually stood out for its natural advantages. Here, the Yellow River carried sediment from the Loess Plateau, depositing it wherever the flow slowed. Over time, this shaped the area into a fertile land, characterized by dependable soil and water conditions. Over 4,000 years ago, communities in the Yellow River Basin began planting crops with simple tools. In time, they started making sacred ritual vessels from clay and holding ceremonies along the riverbanks. Shaped by common conditions and practices, these communities were on their way to coalescing into a civilization. Around 3,900 years ago, a tribe settled in the Luoyang Basin and built a new home on the north bank of the ancient Yiluo River. This became the famous Arli Tou Site. In 1959, while searching for the ancient capital of the Xia Dynasty, archaeologists discovered the Arli Tou Site at the confluence of the Yellow River and Yiluo River. While there are no written records confirming it as the Xia capital, the artifacts found here have been dated to a period corresponding to the time the Xia Dynasty is believed to have existed. For the early settlers who came to Arli Tou from different regions, the Luoyang Basin, where the Yiluo River and Yellow River meet, was an ideal place to live. While the west offered mountains rich in resources, the east was a fertile alluvial plain perfect for farming. North of the Yellow River, the Zhongtiao Mountains had copper deposits and Yuncheng had salt ponds. The basin itself had many rivers and convenient transport routes. Most importantly, it was at the heart of the farming culture of the time. Situated in the central plains between key cultural regions of ancient China, this area was perfect for cultural exchange and innovation. It was the earliest urban settlement in East Asia, featuring a north-south axis, the first of its kind. Its grid-style avenues constitute the earliest main road system so far discovered in China. Around 3,800 years ago, Arli Tou became the capital of China's first large centralized state. The artifacts unearthed at Arli Tou offer a glimpse into the origins of Chinese civilization, with bronze ware standing out as particularly significant. The bronze jewel with rivet patterns is the earliest known bronze wine vessel in the world to be found at Arli Tou. While other Bronze Age cultures used this valuable material mainly for tools, Arli Tou craftsmen shaped it into ritual objects with little practical use. It's this feature that sets China's bronze civilization apart from that of others. The dragon also made a striking appearance at Arli Tou's site. Over 2,000 pieces of turquoise, each less than one centimeter wide, were reconstructed into the shape of a dragon. This reflected a fusion of dragon and dragon. It also reflected an emerging sense of cultural identity that would later shape the great Chinese nation. While Arli Tou was becoming a settlement, another group, the Shang, were herding cattle and migrating across the lower reach of Yellow River on the North China Plain. For them, the river posed even greater challenges. The Yellow River at Arli Tou entered the North China Plain. There was no fixed river. Our geographical world calls this situation a slow flow, like a fan. Many rivers, especially during the flood season, can be said to be dominated by the Yellow River throughout the plain. Living with the force of the Yellow River, a migrating tribe like the Shang couldn't help but develop respect, even fear for it. Fortunately, the Yellow River carried sediment from the lowest plateau, spreading it across the plain and enriching the soil. To avoid floods, the early people built on high ground and slowly expanded into the flatlands. It was a long process of trial and error, repeated over generations. Flooding forced early settlers to leave their homes again and again. Along the Yellow River, they wandered, displaced, always looking for a place to settle. There were many places they didn't want to settle. If they didn't want to settle, they couldn't walk. What could they do? Even if they were in danger, they would come back and choose another place. The remains that we can still discover today are the result of countless trials and errors of the early people. In the Annals of Yin, Sima Qian summed up the Shang's migration from the time of their ancestor Xie to that of their 14th leader Tang in a single sentence. From Xie to Tang, the capital moved eight times. According to Sima Qian, after King Tang of the Shang dynasty overthrew the Xie, his people continued to migrate through the landscapes of the Yellow River and Luohe River, bringing their bronze-casting skills with them. Their journey lasted until the reign of King Pangong, who finally chose a permanent capital, Daiyi Shang. The Yin Siu ruins mark the site of Daiyi Shang. Just a few figures are enough to give us a sense of its sheer scale. The site spans about 36 square kilometers, with 53 large architectural foundations in the palace area alone. To date, archaeologists have uncovered 13 royal tombs and more than 2,500 sacrificial pits. At the heart of Yin Siu, a museum displays nearly 4,000 artifacts, offering a glimpse into the splendor of Daiyi Shang over 3,000 years ago. At Yin Siu, 23 carriages were unearthed, including chariots, supply carts, and ceremonial vehicles. Though similar in appearance, they served distinct roles in both warfare and political life. When Yin Siu became the Shang capital, bronze-making had reached new heights. More than half of their ceremonial vessels were used for wine. The Humu Wuding is the largest bronze vessel ever found. Making it would have required the combined efforts of hundreds of craftsmen. This ox-shaped bronze vessel reflected something familiar in the lives of the Shang people. China's earliest script, the Oracle Bone script, was also discovered at Yin Siu. Among more than 150,000 Oracle Bones found, over 4,500 characters have been identified and more than 1,500 have been deciphered. On the Oracle Bones, the Shang referred to the Yellow River simply as the River. The word that later came to mean river in general originally referred only to the Yellow River. While the Yellow River now lies far southeast of Anyang, where Yin Siu is located, the Tribute of You in the Book of Documents records that over 3,000 years ago, it flowed northeast near today's Zhengzhou, passed Anyang, and emptied into the sea near what is now Tianjin. Yin Siu, therefore, sat between the river and the Taihang Mountains. Phrases like crossing to the east of the river, eastward to the river, and hunting east of the river appear on more than 500 Oracle Bones. With deep reverence, generations of Shang kings carved these inscriptions. In effect, they were prayers for the Yellow River's protection and blessings. For 273 years after King Pangong moved the capital to Yin Siu by the Yellow River, 12 Shang kings ruled in succession. In the course of time, a new tribe emerged. Komar Village lies at the end of the Last Gorge before the Yellow River enters the North China Plain. Here you can find a Worn Stele, a monument to a moment of violence that took place over 3,000 years ago. In January 1046 BC, the newly enthroned King Wu of Zhou crossed the Yellow River at Mengjin and readied himself for something that would earn him a place in history, overthrowing the Shang dynasty. According to Sima Qian's Annals of Zhou, King Wu led 300 chariots, 3,000 palace guards, and 45,000 armored soldiers eastward to confront the Shang king, who in turn dispatched 700,000 men to Muye. The stage was set for a decisive battle. Clad in battle armor, King Wu stood before his troops and swore an oath. You have come a long way, people of the Westland. Order your poleaxes, line up your shields, dress your spears. I am going to lead you in an oath. Though the odds were stacked against them, the Zhou forces won. Dawn that morning in Muye was indeed a red one, as red as the blood of the Shang army that was about to be spilt. By the following sunrise, the Shang dynasty was no more. 554 years of history erased in a single day. Power in the central plains had shifted decisively. Tongguan is a key pass at the meeting point of Shanxi, Shanxi, and Henan. Here, the Weihe River flows into the Yellow River, which then makes a sharp eastward turn into the central plains. This powerful bend is not just a geographic wonder, it mirrors how quickly one dynasty can rise and another fall. The Zhou people rose in the Weihe River basin. Following the river east, King Wu passed through what is now Tongguan County and entered Mengjin, beginning his campaign to seize control of the central plains. The Weihe River flows into the Yellow River as the Zhou replaced the Shang. The river's powerful course through the central plains toward the sea echoes the sweeping shift in power that reshaped Chinese civilization. Xi'an was once home to Haojing, the Zhou capital. After toppling the Shang, King Wu returned, facing the challenge of ruling the vast territories along the Yellow River that had once been under Shang control. According to historical records, after returning, King Wu found himself unable to sleep. Accordingly, he summoned his brother, the Duke of Zhou, and shared his concerns. It is because heaven did not enjoy the yin's offerings. We now have our success. I have not yet secured heaven's protection. How could I find time to sleep? King Wu then told the Duke of Zhou that the land between the Yihe, Luohe, and Yellow Rivers, which had once been home to the Xia, was an ideal heavenly residence. From there, the Zhou's virtue could spread far and wide. From the Luohe River to the Yihe River, the land is easily settled. Here was the settlement of the Xia. Luoyang, once called Luoyi, became the capital King Wu had envisioned. More than 3,000 years ago, the Duke of Zhou was charged with building the eastern capital of Luoyi. As the records say, this is the center of the world. When people from the four quarters pay tribute, the distance will be equal for all of them. The Hezong bronze vessel preserves the story of Luoyi's founding. In 1038 BC, while the city was still under construction, King Cheng of Zhou addressed a clan member named He, who later inscribed a record of the event inside the vessel. It contains the phrase Zhaizi Zhongguo, meaning to build a capital in the center of the land. This is the earliest known written use of the term Zhongguo, or China. The Yellow River saw the rise and fall of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou. The memories of countless generations along its banks helped shape today's China. The Baoji Bronzeware Museum houses a rich collection of Zhou-era bronzes. Many late Shang bronzes continued in use during the early Western Zhou period. But starting with the Zhou Dynasty, wine vessels such as the Gu, Jue, and Jia gradually lost their central role. In their place, food vessels like the Ding and Gui gained prominence, becoming integral to the Zhou ritual system. The Zhou inherited and expanded the symbolic role of bronze ritual vessels established in the Arlito period. They used bronzewares to build a complex ritual and music system rooted in high-end Chinese culture. Bronze vessels became essential tools for expressing identity and upholding social order. In early Western Zhou, the king granted land, people, and bronze vessels to lords based on kinship and merit. They brought the bronzes to their new fiefdoms, now functioning as individual states under Zhou authority. We now know that Shandong was known as the land of Qi and Lu. It was originally the territory of the Dong and Yi dynasties. Whether in Yidi or Huaxia, if you are recognized as a Huaxia, you are a Huaxia. Recognition of culture is the most important. From the Zhou Dynasty onward, regions once divided by different traditions were unified through shared ritual ceremonies. Ancestor worship became a common practice, and the states began to see themselves as one people with a shared history and identity. The Zhou's ritual and music culture spread widely across China's heartland, an influence keenly felt to this very day. In the crisp October air, descendants of Confucius in Yongjing County gather to prepare for a ceremony. This branch of Confucius's descendants once lived in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, and later became known as the Lingnan Branch. At the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, they migrated through several regions before settling in a riverside village in Yongjing, Gansu Province. They have lived and thrived there for over 700 years. Today, this branch numbers over 30,000 people, living mainly in multi-ethnic regions such as Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The ceremony begins with a ritual reading of a ceremonial text. In the courtyard of the Confucius Temple, people of different ethnic backgrounds gather to honor their shared ancestor, Confucius. Confucianism emerged during the Eastern Zhou Period. Confucius once said, I could describe the ceremonies of the Xia Dynasty. I could describe the ceremonies of the Shang Dynasty. Zhou had the advantage of viewing the two past dynasties. How complete and elegant are its regulations. I follow Zhou. It is clear that China has a great tradition of inheritance. It is represented in the culture of Wuzhou by the ritual instrument. The ritual instrument is based on the ritual instrument of the Ancestors. The bronze ritual instrument and the ceramic ritual instrument have been developed day by day in the Shang Dynasty. In the Zhou Dynasty, the so-called Zhili Zuoyue, which is a very mature ritual instrument, can be seen in the process of inheritance. Each era has its own characteristics. Confucius and many other Tang Dynasties have said that as long as you accept the traditional culture of the Central Plains, you are a Chinese. This legacy has endured for over 2,000 years, anchored by a constant respect for those who came before. Confucianism was born and took root along the banks of the Yellow River. But it emerged during a time of turmoil, when ritual and music were cast aside and war swept the land. It would be centuries before the state of Qin unified China by defeating the six rival states. The reason why it's called the Kubei is because of its shape, like the trousers we wear. It's a currency like a knife. This is the Kubei, which is mainly popular in Qi and Yan. It's a coin that's popular in Chu. It's like the nose of an ant. So it's called Yidiqian because of its shape. It's a gold coin that's popular in Chu. After Qin unified China, all the currencies that were popular in the other six states were replaced by half a tael of silver. In 221 BC, Ying Zheng, King of Qin, declared himself China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang. That same year, he launched sweeping reforms to solidify his rule over the unified empire. This involves culture, thought, and the economy. These are the core elements of social development. We all know that there are several elements of unification. Unified currency, unified text, and unified duality. From the original divide-and-conquer system to the central totalitarian system, and the military-limited system. For social development, especially as Chinese civilization continues to evolve, I think unification These clay seals have preserved details of Qin's unification for over 2,000 years. Minister of Justice, Lesser Treasurer, Administrator of Lushan Palace. These seals reflect Qin's Three Lords and Nine Ministers system, as well as its Prefecture County administration. Nearly all official titles in the Qin government have been found on these seals. This Qin clay seal reads Official of Dizhu. As Dizhu was a location along the Yellow River, the title may have involved responsibilities connected to the river. This rock marks the peak of Dizhu, most of which is now underwater following the Sanmenxia project. Back in the Qin dynasty, Dizhu stood alongside other stone outcrops in the surging Yellow River. Dizhu is located in Sanmenxia, an age-old transport hub linking eastern and western China. From here, goods could travel west along the Yellow River and its tributary, the Weihe River, into the Guanzhong Plain, where Qin's capital, Xiangyang, was located. To the east, the route led to the Yiluo region and the fertile North China Plain. The discovery of the Official of Dizhu seal offers new insights into the history of water transport along the Yellow River. This small clay ceiling is evidence that over more than 2,000 years, the Yellow River gradually became a vital lifeline linking eastern and western China. Many core aspects of Chinese civilization emerged along the Yellow River. Oracle bone script, bronze ritual vessels, early centralized governance, and the rise of Confucian thought. All of these elements helped shape China into what it is today. In this respect, the Yellow River is so much more than just a geographical feature. It's the source, the fount of the country's culture. Through this great river, people, regardless of origin or location, have come together to carry on the legacy of Chinese civilization.