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Are the monks and the Pandaren based on China?Follow
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I've heard China and Japan, but they look like they are based off of the panda bear, associated with China. The architecture looks Chinese also.
World History, you will have to take it at some point in your education to get out of Jr. High.
The Pandaren are obviously based on the giant pandas and red pandas of China. There are no wild pandas in Japan.
The architecture of the Pandaren buildings seems to be based on traditional Chinese architecture as well. This architectural style has its origin in the traditional Buddhist temples, and it did not appear in Japan until around the 6th century when Buddhism was brought to the country by the Chinese.
Coupled with the obvious Buddhist references in the Pandaren lifestyle, it's fairly safe to assume that Blizzard drew upon the traditional Chinese culture as inspiration for the Pandaren race.
The architecture of the Pandaren buildings seems to be based on traditional Chinese architecture as well. This architectural style has its origin in the traditional Buddhist temples, and it did not appear in Japan until around the 6th century when Buddhism was brought to the country by the Chinese.
Coupled with the obvious Buddhist references in the Pandaren lifestyle, it's fairly safe to assume that Blizzard drew upon the traditional Chinese culture as inspiration for the Pandaren race.
Please "talk up" if your comprehension white-shifts. I will use simple-happy language-words to help you understand.
It is fair to say that, but look what they did to vikings and reconsider.
There are Chinese elements, and plenty of them, but Pandaren and Pandaria are strung together out of several cultures.
There are Chinese elements, and plenty of them, but Pandaren and Pandaria are strung together out of several cultures.
No one is saying that the Pandaren are a true representation of Chinese cultural elements. But the influences are very firmly Chinese. Various Chinese cultural groups, definitely, but definitely Chinese.
I'd also say that Chinese art is a huge influence, even more so than the architecture and other elements. Because of the materials used, red and gold (gold leaf) are the two shades in traditional works that have proven the most resilient. Blues, greens, etc. all faded much faster. So any historical artwork that used those two colors is typically dominated by them, when viewed in the modern era.
And you'll definitely notice a TON of red and gold in Pandaria.
But it's "influence" in the same way Japanese architecture influences NE buildings. VERY different, but a clear influence.
I'd also say that Chinese art is a huge influence, even more so than the architecture and other elements. Because of the materials used, red and gold (gold leaf) are the two shades in traditional works that have proven the most resilient. Blues, greens, etc. all faded much faster. So any historical artwork that used those two colors is typically dominated by them, when viewed in the modern era.
And you'll definitely notice a TON of red and gold in Pandaria.
But it's "influence" in the same way Japanese architecture influences NE buildings. VERY different, but a clear influence.
IDrownFish wrote:
Anyways, you all are horrible, @#%^ed up people
lolgaxe wrote:
Never underestimate the healing power of a massive dong.
It comes down to what one sees as "based on" compared to "influenced by". I read influence as being the milder of the two, and see the distinction as significant.
You're quite correct. For all the panda hate, it is dismaying how many people posting under something like "Icraponpandas" seem oblivious to the vendors with kimchi and traditional Korean clothing that have been in game for quite some time, along with things like the torii.
On the other hand, you've put influence in quotes when you bring it up in terms of the Nelfs. In the same way, I'll grant you influences for Pandaren, but regional conflicts in Asia are a good reason for them trying to stick with elements that would blur things to the point I find it hard to say "based on". Korea and Japan are seen as more cool among segments of the gaming community, which made even Chinese influence polarizing. A lot of the "ZOMG Asian stuff" comments seem to come off as primarily anti-Chinese.
You're quite correct. For all the panda hate, it is dismaying how many people posting under something like "Icraponpandas" seem oblivious to the vendors with kimchi and traditional Korean clothing that have been in game for quite some time, along with things like the torii.
On the other hand, you've put influence in quotes when you bring it up in terms of the Nelfs. In the same way, I'll grant you influences for Pandaren, but regional conflicts in Asia are a good reason for them trying to stick with elements that would blur things to the point I find it hard to say "based on". Korea and Japan are seen as more cool among segments of the gaming community, which made even Chinese influence polarizing. A lot of the "ZOMG Asian stuff" comments seem to come off as primarily anti-Chinese.
I can't say I've noticed any anti-Asian sentiment in the community, but that's definitely not to say it isn't there. I avoid the community like the plague, outside this site, I'm white, and I don't live on Asia. So both less likely to notice and less likely to come in contact with it in the first place.
I did see plenty of lol Kung Fu panda jokes. But that's it.
I did see plenty of lol Kung Fu panda jokes. But that's it.
IDrownFish wrote:
Anyways, you all are horrible, @#%^ed up people
lolgaxe wrote:
Never underestimate the healing power of a massive dong.
Rhodekylle wrote:
It comes down to what one sees as "based on" compared to "influenced by". I read influence as being the milder of the two, and see the distinction as significant.
Note that I only used the phrase 'based on' about the Pandaren race's physical traits and the architectural style. And I added a 'seems to be' about the architecture, because I don't know for sure where the architectural style, that the traditional Chinese Buddhist temples are built in, originates from. Could be that they drew upon inspiration from some other culture, but the Buddhist temples of China bear the closest resemblance to the Pandaren architectural style.
As for the Pandaren Monks, their life philosophy and martial arts immediately made me think of Shaolin monks. Shaolin wushu is considered the most famous martial arts, as well as the oldest institutionalized martial arts. It's also the wushu that inspired the fighting style in the movie Kung Fu Panda. I'm not saying it's a fact, but I'd be very, very, very surprised if Blizzard's marketing team decided to go with pandas that do kung fu and not draw upon Kung Fu Panda, and therefore Shaolin wushu, for inspiration.
I've no doubt that the entire expansion is a mix of various Asian cultures, but the race, the buildings, and the class all seem based on China, and this was the topic of the thread. The OP did not ask if the expansion was only based on China. He asked:
Quote:
Are the monks and the Pandaren based on China?
I've heard China and Japan, but they look like they are based off of the panda bear, associated with China. The architecture looks Chinese also.
I've heard China and Japan, but they look like they are based off of the panda bear, associated with China. The architecture looks Chinese also.
Also, I never understood the Japanophiles. My Asian phase was all about China. Need to rewatch some of Zhang Yimou's movies; I absolutely loved Hero and House of Flying Daggers.
Please "talk up" if your comprehension white-shifts. I will use simple-happy language-words to help you understand.
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