Wahya Circle
星期二 xīng qī èr
Tuesday Travels

ZHONG GUO TRADITIONAL BELIEFS

Before Common Era (CE) or “Christendom”, there was Buddhism. Daoism. (Taoism) Confuscianism. Before that existed the Folk Magick, or indigenous, Knowledge shared through the dynasties. For tens of thousands of years, different energies have been practiced in the Eastern part of our world. They run the gamut of “Wu” or “White Magick” to “Ku” or “Black Magick” and everything in between. There is even “Gu” which is often female driven Folk Magick or Healing Medicine, Healers and sometimes intentional poisoners.

The words, archaeologically, are as old as Chinese script itself. One of these ancient texts has been dated back to over 6000 years ago. It has been deciphered as speaking on the art of “throwing bones”, a form of divination.

Traditional medicine is defined as indigenous medicine that is used to maintain health and to prevent, diagnose, and treat physical and mental illnesses differently from allopathic (modern) of the people. This Medicine is based on theories, beliefs, and Experiences. That means that often, results were seen with the practice that modern medicine is now trying to patent and lock humans away from. In Zhong Guo countries—especially China (including the Taiwan region), Korea, and Japan—the main therapeutic methods consist of acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, herbal medicines (called Kampo in Japan), and manual therapies (called Tuina in China, Chuna in Korea, and Anma-massage -Shiatsu and Judo therapy in Japan).

Chinese Folk Medicine is known to have originated in Zhong Guo about 3,000 years ago. It was introduced to Korea with Buddhism and to Japan with Chinese culture beginning in the 6th century, despite having been around for thousands of years. For that reason alone, it seemed to only be “regionally” shared Knowledge. It has been widely used now following a long history, and practices in the three countries that strongly influenced each other. Before Western culture was introduced to Zhong Guo, China, in the 19th century, Traditional Folk Medicine was the main medical system used to treat all types of dis-ease. Bottom line, in many Eastern Hemisphere areas, Medicine and Magick go hand in hand.

World History 101 - Zhong Guo
Personal Perspectives

The continent we have been taught to label as “Asia” is not exactly “Asian”.  If you look at the root of the word, the etymology of the word “Asia”, you will see the word derives from the Greek Ἀσία, meaning “to go out, rise.” It was likely from the Akkadians who were assimilated by the Greeks in early history.  The Akkadian root word is “Asu”.  This word means "east" and refers to the “sunrise”, granting Asia the meaning "land of the sunrise."

Wonder how that happens? 

It is speculated long ago in early history; trade was established between the two places.  The Middle East has great stories of Mongols on the Steppes of China.  Remember Genghis? As time passed, continuous lands were conquered and assimilated. We were taught to use the words of our conquerors. 

Colonized words. 

While this continues to happen in human history, time and time again, in reality, the expansive land of China (and Russia) is over 90 percent Hueran (traditional Chinese: 華人; simplified Chinese: 华人) or Han as we know today, and about 1.30% Zhuang, or Zhongguoren. (traditional Chinese: 中國人; simplified Chinese: 中国人)  There are other indigenous that remain that equal less than one percent, but they still count.  They are what make up the majority of Folk Medicine and Magick for this region.  Ther inborn strength, pride, and tenacity make it so.  But, all things must balance, and as we have learned, not much in this Experience of Life is “coincidence”.

HISTORY
This is a brilliant explanation from an individual named Christopher Chong.  If I knew who he was I would give him a hug and say “thank you”.  His words are quite succinct. ~Reverend Richoz

“Zhong guo ren - means the Chinese people

Some people, however, make a [derogatory] song and dance about the term Zhong guo, which literally translates to Middle Kingdom. (Those who sing this song)  take this to mean that somehow it reflects the superiority complex of the Chinese. We on the ground can only smile at the obvious racism inherent in such a statement.

Consider:

Context

The term Zhong guo was originally utilized by the Chou dynasty (1000 BC). The Chou peoples believed they were a civilization in the middle of and surrounded by nomads and violent foreigners.

In older times it was not unusual for Kingdoms to declare themselves the best or greatest in their land, tauting their successes.  In fact it was more common rather than less common. Legacy of this boasting still exists and includes names like “Great” Britain and the “Grand” Duchy of Luxembourg.  The use of such grandiose names was to promote tribalism, nationalism and patriotism. While it is true that less crude, ‘in your face’ attempts remain to promote nationalism and patriotism, it is still very much alive. For example, many Americans think nothing about waving their flag and will happily tell you they live in the “greatest nation in the word”. I do not believe many Americans when they make this statement imply that non-Americans are inferior or are a sub-species. But the comment is made all the same. 

The current communist party of China uses Zhong guo ren strictly to mean Chinese. The word guo* independently does not appear in any official China documents. The Chinese Communist party is fervently opposed to speaking about a ‘kingdom’ - hardly surprising given that it could remind people of how wonderful parts of the old feudal system were.

*Guo means:
“The wall that surrounds a city”

"Guo", written in Chinese: 郭, is also one of the most common Chinese surnames which too means "the wall that surrounds a city" in Chinese. It can also be transliterated as Cok, Gou, Quo, Quach, Quek, Que, Keh, Kuo, Kwo, Kuoch, Kok, Koc, Kwee, Kwek, Kwik, Kwok, Kuok, Kuek, Gock, Koay, or Ker.

Believing how energy flows, modern Chinese better understand not placing a wall if you do not want to keep anyone out.

Literalism
To insist on a literal translation is both unreasonable and, as can be seen below, sometimes hypocritical. If one insisted that China should be called the Middle Kingdom then the principle should also be applied to other countries.

For example, why do we not call:

Botswana - Those Who Went Away people

Ethiopia - Burnt Face peoples

Myanmar - Strongest and Toughest peoples

Nauru - I go to The Beach peoples

New Zealanders - Long white cloud peoples

Spanish - rabbits (as the literal translation of Spain is the Land of Many Rabbits)

Wales - Land of Foreigners

… and many more

***REVEREND RICHOZ RESPONSE***
It is unfortunate that I am unable to find this individual who penned these words.  The answer to the question posed is simple.  Those are colonize words.  We do not know if “Zhong guo” is a colonized word from conquerors before those of Rome by way of Greece.  I am not a Chinese historian, but I do know that they have the longest recorded history outside of Egypt, we simply cannot translate it yet. 

Shift in Language Usage

It is not uncommon for words to have their meaning shifted. For example, awful is now terrible but when it was first utilized it meant, full of awe. Similarly in American Afro-American speak, bad can now mean cool, sharp and even extra good.

To repeat, Zhong guo ren - simply means the Chinese people.” The Character for China is pronounced “zhōng” (中), which means “middle”. You can find it looks like an arrow going through the middle. Again, “Guó” (国) means “country or nation” , so China is “zhōng guó”(中国).

Below you will find a VERY in depth discussion with an academic aspect to the three main lines of spiritual influence to modern time. The Fire Hose of Knowledge is up, sip carefully!

This video is not short, but it is fast. So, grab your hats!

https://youtu.be/7V4GgT860fM (47 minute video)

(Please leave Benebell a comment or “like” after viewing. We at TCMed are extremely grateful for all who share Knowledge freely with others. You will see Benebell again!)