Song dynasty
Chinese dynasty that pioneered paper money and gunpowder weapons.
It was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and conquered the remaining Ten Kingdoms, ending the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
- Founder
- Emperor Taizu of Song
- Capital
- Bianjing (Northern Song), Lin'an (Southern Song)
- Notable for
- First issuance of paper money, first permanent standing navy, invention of gunpowder weapons, Neo-Confucianism, movable type printing
Lore & Background
The Song dynasty was established by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and spent sixteen years conquering the rest of China proper, reuniting much of the territory of the Han and Tang empires. He promoted the civil service examination system and supported scientific innovations, such as the astronomical clock tower designed by engineer Zhang Sixun.
Reader's Guide
The Song dynasty's significance lies in its technological, economic, and cultural achievements. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or true paper money and the first Chinese government to establish a permanent standing navy. The era saw the first surviving records of the chemical formula for gunpowder and the invention of gunpowder weapons such as fire arrows, bombs, and the fire lance. It also saw the first discernment of true north using a compass, the first recorded description of the pound lock, and improved designs of astronomical clocks. Economically, the Song dynasty had a gross domestic product three times larger than that of Europe during the 12th century. The population doubled between the 10th and 11th centuries, driven by expanded rice cultivation and early-ripening rice. The spread of literature was enhanced by woodblock printing and the 11th-century invention of movable type printing. Philosophers such as Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi reinvigorated Confucianism into Neo-Confucianism. The civil service examinations became more prominent, shifting power from a military-aristocratic elite to a scholar-bureaucratic elite.
Did You Know?
- The Song dynasty was the first in world history to issue banknotes or true paper money.
- The Song dynasty established the first permanent standing navy in Chinese history.
- The first surviving records of the chemical formula for gunpowder date from the Song era.
- The Song dynasty's gross domestic product was three times larger than that of Europe during the 12th century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Song dynasty?
Emperor Taizu of Song established the dynasty by seizing the throne from the Later Zhou and then conquering the remaining Ten Kingdoms, which brought an end to the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era.
What were the Song dynasty's capitals?
The Northern Song was based in Bianjing, while the Southern Song relocated its seat of government to Lin'an after losing control of the northern territories.
What major innovations came from the Song dynasty?
The Song era is credited with the world's first paper currency, the development of gunpowder-based weapons, the creation of the first permanent standing navy, and the invention of movable type printing.
How did the Song dynasty come to power?
Emperor Taizu of Song usurped the Later Zhou throne and then systematically conquered the leftover Ten Kingdoms, unifying much of China and closing out the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Why is the Song dynasty considered historically important?
It stands out as a period of extraordinary technological and cultural advancement, producing the world's first paper money, gunpowder weapons, and movable type printing while also nurturing the Neo-Confucian philosophical movement.
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