Alternative Names
Chinese, Zhongguo-ren, Han-ren, Hua-ren, Tang-ren. Because of their predominant numbers in China, the Han are commonly referred to as Chinese in the English language, though in China (including Taiwan) they have always called themselves “Han-ren” (Han people). Outside China they tend to call themselves “Chinese” (Zhongguo-ren) and many overseas Han Chinese also use their provincial names or other local origins in China (such as Guangdong, Fujian, Hakha, Taishan, etc.) to refer to themselves since their Han identity is virtually unknown outside China.
The name “Han” was derived from the Han River, an upper tributary of the Yangtze River. It was further strengthened by the famous Han Empire (206 bc–220 ad) which lasted for several hundred years when the people began active interactions with the outside world. It is understood the Han are the result of amalgamation of numerous ancient ethnic groups.
While the term “Han-ren” is used in China to differentiate the Han from...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
China People’s Daily Online, April 4, 2002.
China Population Information and Research Center (COIRC),Available online at www.cpirc.org.cn
China Yearbook of Chinese Medicine (Zhongguo Zhongyi Nianjian) 2000 (in Chinese). Beijing: China TCM.
China Yearbook of Health (Zhongguo Weisheng Nian Jian) 2000 (in Chinese). Beijing: People’s Medical.
Encyclopedia Sinica, Volume of Nationalities (Zhongguo Dabaike Quanshu Minzu, 1986) (in Chinese). Encyclopedia Sinica.
Encyclopedia Sinica, Volume of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Zhongguo Dabaike Quanshu Zhongyi 2000) (in Chinese). Encyclopedia Sinica.
Fang, Thome. (1986). The Chinese view if life. Taipei, Taiwan: Linking.
Ge, Keyou. (1996). The dietary and nutritional status of Chinese population (1992 National Nutrition Survey). People’s Medical.
He, Shaochu. (1998). An overview of Chinese medicine and culture (Zhong Yi Yao Wen Hua Tong Lan) (in Chinese). World Books Publishing Company: Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai & Xi’an.
Hsu, Francis L. K. (1948). Under the ancestors’ shadow. New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Hsu, Hong-yen et al. (1986). Oriental Materia Medica: A concise guide (pp. 3–42). Keats.
Li, Jingwei et al. (1990). Ancient Chinese Culture and Medical Science (Zhongguo Gudai Wenhua Yu Yixue) (in Chinese). China: Hubei Science and Technology.
Li, Xiangzhong. (1989). Elementary Traditional Chinese Medicine (Zhongyixue Jichu) (in Chinese). Beijing, China: People’s Health.
Liu, Xingwu. (2002). Good Health the Chinese Way. In Llewellyn’s 2003 Herbal Almanac (pp. 143–164). Los Angeles, CA: Llewellyns.
National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Survey. (2001). March 4, 2002.
Qiao, Jitang (1990) Chinese Life Rituals (Zhongguo Rensheng Liyi Daquan). Tianjin People’s Publishing.
Simoons, Frederick J. (1991). Food in China: A cultural and historical inquiry, CRC Press, Boca Taton.
Wu, Gangzi et al. (1993). The treasure house of greater Chinese culture. China: Hubei People’s.
Xie, Zhu-Fan. (1995). Best of traditional Chinese medicine. Beijing, China: New World.
Zhang, Benbo. (2002). Aging Population Requires New Action. China Population Information and Research Center (CPIRC), Available online at www.cpirc.org.cn
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers
About this entry
Cite this entry
Liu, X. (2004). Han. In: Ember, C.R., Ember, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Anthropology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-29905-X_73
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-29905-X_73
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-306-47754-6
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-29905-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive