Manchu Culture
I. A Brief History of Manchu Civilization
The Manchu ethnic group has a long and ancient history that can be traced back to around 7000 years ago during the periods of Xinkailiu-Kultur. The Sushen, Yilou, Wujin, Mohe, Bohai, and Nuzhen peoples together form the ancestral lineage of modern Manchus. Among them, the Black Water Mohe, which later evolved into the Jurchen branch, is particularly notable as the direct ancestor of the Manchu people
In the late 7th century, Go of Balhae established a local regime called the "state of Balhae" in the upper reaches of the Songhua River and the northern foothills of Changbai Mountain. In the first year of the Tang Kaiyuan era (713 AD), Go of Balhae was granted the title of "Prince of Commandery of Balhae" by the Tang Emperor "Xuanzong". However, by the late 9th century, Balhae was conquered by the Liao Dynasty.
In the year 1115, a Jurchen military leader named Wanyan Aguda (or sometimes refered as Emperor Taizu of Jin) overthrew the rule of the Khitan nobility under the Liao Dynasty and established the Jin Dynasty, marking a significant historical turning point. Unfortunately, in 1234, the Jin Dynasty collapsed under the combined pressure from the Southern Song Dynasty and the Mongol Empire.
In 1583, Nurhaci, of the Aisin Gioro clan, launched an uprising and gradually unified various Jurchen tribes, ultimately establishing the Later Jin regime in 1616. In 1635, Nurhaci's successor, Aisin Gioro Huang Taiji, abolished the old ethnic name "Jurchen" and officially renamed it to "Manchu". Subsequently, in 1636, he further renamed the regime to the Qing Dynasty, marking the rise of the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history and the establishment of a dynasty ruled by the minority Manchu ethnicity.
In 1644, the Qing military invaded the Central Plains, overthrowing the rule of the Ming Dynasty and relocating the capital to Beijing. Following the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, the Manchu rule over China came to an end, and the Qing Dynasty collapsed. In the subsequent decades, the Manchu people faced unfair treatment and discrimination due to the humiliating rule of the late Qing Dynasty.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Manchu people, like other ethnic groups, gained the right to participate in national governance on equal political footing.
A portrait of Wanyan Aguda (Emperor Taizu of Jin)
Jurchen Jin Empire's 1st Emperor, Jin Shangjing Museum, Harbin
From left to right:
Aisin Gioro Nurhachi and Aisin Gioro Taiji
《清人画努尔哈赤朝服像轴》(Aisin Gioro Nurhachi painted by Qing people)
Hongtaiji, Emperor Taizong (1592–1643), Meditating with a Buddhist Rosary
II. Manchu Social Framework - the Eight Banners System
The Eight Banners system, a distinctive and innovative organizational structure, played a central role in the governance, military might, and societal dynamics of the Qing Dynasty. Established by the visionary leader Nurhaci in the early 17th century, the Eight Banners system was a hallmark of Manchu culture that left an indelible mark on Chinese history.
Establishment and Original Purpose
The genesis of the Eight Banners system can be traced back to Nurhaci, who sought to unite the various Manchu tribes under a common banner for both military and administrative purposes. In 1615, he officially implemented the system, organizing the Manchu population into distinct banners, each under a unique color and emblem. Initially, the Eight Banners consisted of only four primary banners: the Bordered Yellow, Plain Yellow, Bordered White, and Plain White. This number later expanded to eight with the addition of the Bordered Blue, Plain Blue, Bordered Red, and Plain Red banners.
The primary goal of the Eight Banners system was multifaceted. Militarily, it provided a cohesive and efficient fighting force that enabled the Manchu to swiftly respond to threats and maintain control over their newly acquired territories. At the same time, the system served as a means of governing and organizing the Manchu people, providing a framework for land distribution, taxation, and social services. This duality of purpose – combining military strength with administrative efficiency – was a testament to Nurhaci's strategic insight.
Role in the Qing Dynasty
As the Qing Dynasty expanded its dominion, the Eight Banners system proved instrumental in consolidating power and solidifying the rule of the Manchu elite. The banners formed the core of the Qing military and were integral to the dynasty's success in campaigns against internal rebellions and external foes. The Bannermen, as those affiliated with the banners were called, enjoyed privileges and social status, making them a key support base for the Qing rulers.
Despite the system's military origins, the Eight Banners gradually evolved to encompass broader societal roles. They represented a diverse array of individuals, including soldiers,merchants, officials, and their families. The banners thus became a microcosm of Qing society, reflecting the interconnectedness between the military, governance, and everyday life.
Since the middle and late Qing Dynasty, the relatively comfortable life also caused the Eight Banners soldiers gradually neglected to train, which gave the Xiang Army and other Han Chinese local armed forces the opportunity to rise; on the other hand, the Western powers opened the door of China with new weapons, the rulers tried to reform the Eight Banners to adapt to the current situation, but with little effect, unable to stop the Qing Dynasty and the Eight Banners towards the decline.
In conclusion, the Eight Banners system was a remarkable feat of organization and governance in the Qing Dynasty. It exemplified the intricate interplay between military strategy and administrative pragmatism. Beyond its military achievements, the system left an enduring legacy in Manchu culture and Chinese history, influencing not only the dynamics of the Qing Dynasty but also the broader social fabric of the time.
The Eight Banners System Illustration
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_Banners, licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0; modified by Andrew Wang