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The Six Dynasties Period of Chinese history was a period of disunity following the fall of the [[Han Dynasty]] in [[220]], up until the reunification of China under the [[Sui Dynasty]] in [[589]]. During this span of time, a number of states rose and fell, including the [[Western Jin Dynasty]], which briefly united [[China proper]] from [[280]] until [[317]], but six states of southern China are considered the eponymous "six dynasties" of the period: the [[Eastern Wu]], [[Eastern Jin]], [[Liu Song]], [[Southern Qi]], [[Liang Dynasty]], and [[Chen Dynasty]].

The Six Dynasties Period of Chinese history was a period of disunity following the fall of the [[Han Dynasty]] in [[220]], up until the reunification of China under the [[Sui Dynasty]] in [[589]]. During this span of time, a number of states rose and fell, including the [[Western Jin Dynasty]], which briefly united [[China proper]] from [[280]] until [[317]], but six states of southern China are considered the eponymous "six dynasties" of the period: the [[Eastern Wu]], [[Eastern Jin]], [[Liu Song]], [[Southern Qi]], [[Liang Dynasty]], and [[Chen Dynasty]].

This same period saw even greater fragmentation in northern China, where from around [[304]] until roughly [[439]], sixteen different polities vied for power and territory. Thirteen were dominated by peoples other than the [[Han people]]. Of these, the [[Northern Wei Dynasty]] is perhaps the most significant, or at least the most oft-discussed. Ruled by the Tuoba people, it is known for its extensive Sinification, successful implementation of numerous aspects of Chinese political technology, and embrace of [[Buddhism]], becoming one of the first and foremost Chinese polities to do so. Throughout the north, powerful landlords grew wealthier and more powerful, destroying many polities from within.

This same period saw even greater fragmentation in northern China, where from around [[304]] until roughly [[439]], sixteen different polities vied for power and territory. Thirteen were dominated by peoples other than the [[Han people]]. Of these, the [[Northern Wei Dynasty]] is perhaps the most significant, or at least the most oft-discussed. Ruled by the Tuoba people, it is known for its extensive Sinification, successful implementation of numerous aspects of Chinese political technology, and embrace of [[Buddhism]], becoming one of the first and foremost Chinese polities to do so. Throughout the north, powerful landlords grew wealthier and more powerful, destroying many polities from within. Some of these events are considered under the names of the [[Rebellion of Eight Princes]] ([[291]]-[[306]]), and the [[Uprising of Five Barbarians]] ([[304]]-[[316]]).

The chaotic situation brought some philosophers to pursue an avenue now known as ''[[xuanxue]]'' - dark or mysterious learning. It focused on the concept of nothingness, or non-being (''wú''), with some thinkers such as [[Wang Bi]] writing of the original nothingness (''benwu'') from which all emerged, and others simply focusing on meditation in order to reach or achieve nothingness. Religious [[Daoism]] emerged in this period as well, growing out of the faith healing practices & beliefs of the [[Celestial Masters Rebellion]] of [[Sichuan province]].

The chaotic situation brought some philosophers to pursue an avenue now known as ''[[xuanxue]]'' - dark or mysterious learning. It focused on the concept of nothingness, or non-being (''wú''), with some thinkers such as [[Wang Bi]] writing of the original nothingness (''benwu'') from which all emerged, and others simply focusing on meditation in order to reach or achieve nothingness. Religious [[Daoism]] emerged in this period as well, growing out of the faith healing practices & beliefs of the [[Celestial Masters Rebellion]] of [[Sichuan province]].