The history of pornography in ancient China is primarily centered on erotic art and literature, as the concept of “video porn” is, of course, a modern invention. The term for this traditional Chinese erotic art is chungongtu (春宮圖), which translates to “Spring Palace Pictures.” This art form, and the broader context of sexual expression in ancient China, has a rich and complex history. arab sex videos top
The Origins and Development
- Early Beginnings: Evidence of sexually explicit drawings dates back as far as the 1st century. Early erotic material was influenced by Taoist philosophy, which saw sex not just for procreation but also as a way to achieve harmony, longevity, and spiritual balance. Erotic art and sex were often seen as a path to happiness and being at one with nature.
- The Golden Age (Ming Dynasty): The production of erotic art reached its peak during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). During this period, “Spring Palace Paintings” became popular. These paintings depicted sexual scenes, sometimes from the Forbidden City, and were often created in book or scroll format. They were not only for personal pleasure but also sometimes used as part of wedding rituals, intended to instruct newlyweds.
- Erotic Literature: Erotic literature also flourished, with famous works like The Plum in the Golden Vase (Jin Ping Mei) and The Carnal Prayer Mat (Rou Pu Tuan) being written during the Ming and Qing dynasties. These novels were explicit in their descriptions and are considered classics of Chinese erotic literature.
Cultural Context and Purpose arab sex videos top
- Philosophical and Educational: Unlike modern pornography, which is often consumed for solitary pleasure, ancient Chinese erotic art had a more philosophical and sometimes educational purpose. It was tied to Taoist beliefs about sexuality and the balance of yin and yang. The art was not always seen as “pornographic” in the modern sense but rather as a representation of harmony and life force.
- A “Lost” History: Following the end of the last dynasty and the rise of modern political ideologies, particularly during Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, much of this ancient erotic art and literature was suppressed or destroyed. This resulted in a disconnect from this aspect of China’s cultural history. Exhibitions in recent years have sought to re-examine and showcase this “lost” sexual philosophy and art form.
The Absence of “Video” Pornography arab sex videos top
It is crucial to emphasize that “video porn” is a completely anachronistic concept for ancient China. The technology for motion pictures did not exist. The equivalent of a “video” would have been the narrative art forms of paintings and literature that depicted sexual acts in a sequential or story-like manner. The modern phenomenon of online and video pornography in China is a very recent development, and it remains heavily regulated and censored by the government.