Four occupations
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The four occupations, or "four categories of the people", was an occupation classification used in ancient China by either Confucian or Legalist scholars as far back as the late Zhou dynasty and is co
A painting of a gentry scholar with two courtesans, by Tang Yin, c. 1500
Street scene in Bianjing (modern Kaifeng)
Chariot archer, c. 300 BC
A Literary Garden, by Zhou Wenju, 10th century
Song dynasty
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The Song dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer
Court portrait of Emperor Taizu (r. 960–976)
Portrait of Emperor Taizong (r. 976–997)
A Song-era wooden Bodhisattva
Auspicious Cranes, a painting of the Song royal palace by Emperor Huizong