han

Han commonly refers to the Han people, the largest ethnic group in China, and to the culture, language, and historical legacy associated with them. The term derives from the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), and it has come to signify the broad cultural and political identity that characterizes much of Chinese civilization. It is used in reference to the ethnolinguistic group, their language, and cultural practices, as well as to various geographic and historical uses.

The Han dynasty ruled China from 206 BCE to 220 CE. It established a centralized imperial state, expanded its territorial scope, and integrated diverse regions through bureaucratic structures and a network of trade routes, including the early Silk Road. The period is noted for its advances in administration, science, technology, and culture, as well as for consolidating Confucianism as a core state ideology. The dynasty’s political and cultural foundations influenced subsequent imperial rule and the self-conception of Chinese civilization.

The Han Chinese language forms the basis of Standard Chinese, including Mandarin, and uses Chinese characters known as hanzi. These characters have roots in earlier writing traditions and were standardized and disseminated during and after the Han period, shaping literacy and education across the Chinese-speaking world.

Today, Han functions as an ethnonym and surname. Han culture and identity are shared by people across China and in diaspora communities, and the term is frequently used to describe aspects of Chinese history, language, and cultural heritage.