Editing Dynastic cycle (section)

==Formation and significance==
Chinese history is traditionally represented in terms of dynastic cycles. According to the [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]], [[Yu the Great]] established the [[Xia dynasty]] because Heaven had given him the authority ages earlier. Heaven retracted its decree and gave it to the [[Shang dynasty|Shang]] instead of the Xia when a terrible monarch appeared among them. The Zhou asserted that Heaven was giving them the mandate since Shang rule had also degraded. The idea of a dynasty cycle would become essential to traditional Chinese political philosophy in later periods. While the [[Qin dynasty|Qin]] rejected the dynastic cycle model, some [[Han dynasty|Han]]-period historians like [[Ban Gu]] re-embraced the dynastic model with works like the ''[[Book of Han]]'', which were regarded as adhering to the correct historical framework established by [[Confucius]], in contrast to [[Sima Qian]]'s ''[[Shiji]]''. The ''Book of Han'' would set the model for following dynastic histories.<ref>{{Cite book|title = A COMPANION TO GLOBAL HISTORICAL THOUGHT|last = Puett|first = Michael|publisher = John Wiley & Sons, Ltd|year = 2014|isbn = 9780470658994|pages = 35-41}}</ref>

The [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] was an important period for the evolution of the [[Chinese historiography|Chinese historiographical tradition]]. There were previously various other competing historical visions. Despite being an empire, the Tang chose to institutionalize a historical perspective based on the ''[[Book of Documents]]'' and the ''[[Spring and Autumn Annals]]''. The writing of history became an official imperial undertaking during the Tang period, in contrast to the more or less individualistic histories of Sima Qian and Ban Gu during the Han period. Writing histories covering the time from the fall of the Han to the establishment of the Tang was one of these undertakings. Each of these states was described as a dynasty that rose and fell in accordance with the moral deeds of its founding and final rulers, respectively. These were all written within a dynastic framework. The main inspiration for producing these histories was Ban Gu's ''Book of Han''.<ref>{{Cite book|title = A COMPANION TO GLOBAL HISTORICAL THOUGHT|last = Puett|first = Michael|publisher = John Wiley & Sons, Ltd|year = 2014|isbn = 9780470658994|page = 43}}</ref>

Through its long history, the Chinese people have been ruled not by one dynasty, but by a succession of different dynasties. The first orthodox dynasty of China to be described in ancient historical records such as ''Shiji'' and ''[[Bamboo Annals]]'' is the Xia, which was succeeded by the Shang, although concrete existence of the Xia is yet to be archaeologically proven.

Among these dynasties the Han and Tang are often considered as particularly strong periods, although other dynasties are famous for cultural and other achievements (for instance, the [[Song dynasty]] is sometimes associated with rapid economic development). Han and Tang, as well as other long, stable dynasties, were followed by periods of disorder and the break-up of China into small regimes.

Out of disorder a leader eventually arose who unified the country and imposed strong central authority. For example, after the Han various dynasties ruled parts of China until [[Emperor Wen of Sui|Yang Jian]] reunited China under the [[Sui dynasty]]. The Sui set the scene for the long and prosperous Tang. After the fall of Tang, China again saw a period of political upheaval.

There is a famous Chinese proverb expressed in the 16th-century novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' that says "After a long split, a union will occur; after a long union, a split will occur" ({{lang|zh|分久必合，合久必分}}). Each of these rulers would claim the [[Mandate of Heaven]] to legitimize their rule.

Although this well-known dynastic periodization of China is more or less based on traditional [[Sinocentrism|Sinocentric]] ideology, it also applies to non-native rulers who sought to gain the Mandate of Heaven. While most ruling dynasties in Chinese history were founded by ethnic [[Han Chinese|Han]], there were also [[Conquest dynasty|dynasties established by non-Han peoples]] beyond the traditional border of [[China proper]] dominated by Han people. These include the [[Yuan dynasty|Yuan]] founded by [[Mongols]] and the [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] founded by [[Manchu people|Manchus]], who later conquered China proper and assumed the title of [[Emperor of China]].