Yellow River Valley

Definition

The Yellow River valley is considered one of cradles of Chinese civilization because it was home to ancient Chinese civilizations and is the second longest river in China.

Analogy

The Yellow River Valley is like a nursery. Just as a nursery nurtures young plants until they're ready to be planted elsewhere, this region nurtured early Chinese civilization before it spread throughout the rest of the country.

Related terms

Loess: A wind-blown sediment that's highly fertile and was crucial for agriculture in the Yellow River Valley.

Dynastic Cycle: The historical pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties in China.

Mandate of Heaven: An ancient Chinese belief that heaven granted emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well and fairly.