Background

The invention of paper by the ancient Chinese in 200 BC produced works of literature, money, and art in ancient China. It was best for these purposes by being pliable, thin, and flexible; this made it lightweight, cheap to produce, and easy to write on (Cartwright). This is shown in Figure 1, where the ancient Chinese are in the process of creating paper, here you can see just how flexible and easy to work with paper was. Paper was made by extracting a hemp residue from hemp clothing, pounding that hemp residue, and then drying it on sheets (Carwright). The ability of paper to allow ink writing on it allowed the ancient Chinese to write easily on paper and produce books and art (Cartwright).

Figure 1: The paper making process.

Figure 2: Chinese schooling, notice how they are using paper.

Figure 3: A form of paper money in ancient China.

Impacts

The creation of paper allowed for reading and writing to be taught throughout China, making China one of the most efficient and unified civilizations of its time (Bloom). As seen in Figure 2, paper was essential for learning to be taught throughout ancient China (Bloom). The Chinese used paper to create bank notes, which created standardized currency throughout China and stopped their growing economic deficit. In Figure 3, you can see a Chinese bank note; these notes made sales and trade prosper in the Chinese empire (Cartwright). Paper was also used by Buddhist monks who came to China for the purpose of spreading their faith (Cartwright).

Paper began the growth of reading and writing in the Asian world, as well as made it more common (and easier) to read, write, and make art for the Chinese. This was important for the unification of the Chinese, allowing them to easily communicate with one another.

Figure 4: A Buddhist monk.

Religious Spread

Buddhist monks used paper as their primary way to write and store their ancient texts; they then spread it to civilizations like Japan and Korea, spreading the invention of paper and its capabilities (Cartwright). Buddhist monks adorned paper for how versatile it was, and because of this adoration for it they used it everywhere they went, and this started to spread the art of paper making past China and into new worlds. Paper began the growth of reading and writing in the Asian world, as well as made it more common (and easier) to read, write, and make art for the Chinese (Bloom).

Want To Learn More?

Paper In Ancient China

This is an article by Mark Cartwright, a professional writer, historian, and researcher. This was a primary source for my paper and I highly recommend that you read it,

Papermaking

This is a section of a book written by Jonathan Bloom, this gave me an amazing insight on the spread of paper making through and out of China.

Hemp Paper

This is an excerpt from a journal about hemp by Gertjan van Roekel jr., and it goes in-depth on how hemp-paper was made and how it affected the ancient Chinese.

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