Abacus (abacus Culture)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: abacus (abacus Culture)

Applicant: China Abacus Mental Arithmetic Association

Project No.: 1026

Project No.: Ⅹ - 119

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Zhongzhi unit

Type: new item

Applicant: China Abacus Mental Arithmetic Association

Protection unit: China Abacus Mental Arithmetic Association

Abacus (abacus Culture)

Applicant: China Abacus Mental Arithmetic Association

Abacus is a method of numerical calculation with abacus as a tool. The word "abacus" was first found in the book of numerology written by Xu Yue of Han Dynasty. In Ming Dynasty, the economy was highly prosperous. Due to the needs of commercial development, abacus was widely promoted and gradually replaced the previous general plan. In this situation, zhizhisuan Tongzong, compiled by Cheng Dawei of Ming Dynasty, played an extremely important role in the promotion and development of abacus.

After the Ming Dynasty, Chinese abacus spread to Japan, Korea and Southeast Asian countries, and gradually became popular in America in recent years. After entering the information age, abacus began to decline, its computing function has been undertaken by the computer.

Abacus is a great invention of the Chinese nation and occupies an important place in the history of human science and technology. As a traditional folk knowledge and unique way of practice, abacus still has its historical and cultural value, which is in urgent need of rescue and protection.

Abacus began in the Han Dynasty, matured in the Song Dynasty, and flourished in the yuan and Ming Dynasties. From the Song Dynasty at the latest, abacus gradually replaced other kinds of computing technology and supplies and became a unique computing tool in China. In the Ming Dynasty, abacus was the leader in the field of computing, and its use method was more and more perfect, which promoted the development and progress of China's social economy and science and technology.

Abacus culture covers mathematical science, mathematical education, applied technology and intelligent development related to abacus. It also plays a certain role in literature, history, music, art and other related cultural fields. Abacus has a wide range of applications, and has a strong scientific and practical, which promotes its promotion and popularization, and makes it passed down from generation to generation in China. Abacus culture is not only deeply rooted in China, but also spread to neighboring countries and regions in the 16th century, which played a role in promoting the development of its economy, culture, science and technology.

Abacus is a great invention of the ancestors of the Chinese nation, and its contribution in the history of the development of the Chinese nation is no less than any of the "four great inventions". At present, with the popularity of computers, abacus has lost its original role, and is becoming increasingly marginalized and endangered in modern society. It is urgent for all parties concerned to take effective measures to rescue and protect it.