Ancient china religion for kids

Ancient Chinese developed their first religion over 7000 years ago. They had their gods centuries before the teachings of Confucius and Lao-Tzu became influential, and before Buddhism appeared in China.

Early Chinese worshiped natural forces, fortune, and wealth.

They also believed that the spirits of their ancestors had supernatural powers.

The Chinese believed that gods and spirits affected human life and death, health, warfare, weather, and many other things that were important to people.

Ancient china religion for kids video

Because of that, people made sacrifices to them.

Early Religion

• Researchers have found 250 tombs from the Neolithic Yangshao culture (5000-3000 BCE). The tombs were oriented toward the east, and they contained various goods, as those people believed in life after death.

  This society was matriarchal; women had more influence, and their goddesses were more important than male gods.

• The Qijia culture (around 2200-1600 BCE) had a bit different religion. They believed in several gods, both ma