Nanjing culture

Nanjing culture centers around Nanjing, one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China and one of the first national historical and cultural cities, and radiates to surrounding areas, forming a cultural circle also known as Jinling culture. It is an important component of Chinese civilization and Han civilization. Historically, Nanjing has several times been a guardian of the proper succession of dynasties in China and has long been the political, economic, and cultural-educational center of southern China. It is the only one among the Four Great Ancient Capitals that has never served as the capital of a non-Han regime. Nanjing culture was formed on the basis of the fusion of the mainstream Central Plains culture with southern culture during the southward migration of scholars and officials.

Nanjing is a representative city of Chinese classical culture and refined culture, symbolizing classical Chinese civilization. Known as the "literary and cultural hub of the world," Nanjing has a deep cultural foundation. As the saying goes, "Even waiters and wine servers carry the aura of the Six Dynasties." A linguistic characteristic of Nanjing culture is the coexistence and integration of Nanjing Mandarin and Wu dialect. Historically, three major southward migrations of Chinese scholars and officials led to the blending of northern and southern cultures, enabling Nanjing culture to absorb the mainstream Huaxia culture from the Central Plains and form a distinctive cultural region. Geographically, the origins of Nanjing culture bear significant characteristics of Jiangnan culture and Wu culture, incorporating the delicacy of Jiangnan's urban culture.

Nanjing culture mainly includes the culture of the Six Dynasties, Ming Dynasty culture, and Republican-era culture, which collectively fall under the category of "capital city culture." Mainstream capital city culture does not exclude other forms of culture. For example, the once-thriving Qinhuai culture not only reflects the culture of courtesans, imperial examination culture, Confucius worship, and city life but also embodies the style of scholars, national integrity, and patriotic spirit. During the Six Dynasties, Nanjing and Rome were considered the "two centers of classical civilization in the world." The Six Dynasties culture, represented by Nanjing, had an extremely profound impact on human history. Since ancient times, wealth has flowed from the southeast, and Jinling has been its gathering place. Nanjing, as the capital of ten dynasties, was rich in scholar-official cultural relics in the southeast, exuding elegance and heroism, refined beauty, and a spirited, harmonious spirit.