ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the origin, development, and forms of humor in Chinese society. It argues that humor was first documented in China around 2,500 years ago and originated in form of comic acts, shows or dramas for the upper classes’ entertainment or in form of satire prose for intellectuals’ fun seeking. It briefly discusses how huaji 滑稽 first appeared in China as the earliest word for humor and how pai you 俳優 first acted as the earliest professional comedians. It discusses how humor evolves in Chinese history and its most popular forms now in Chinese societies. It also discusses how humor is perceived by Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Specifically, Confucianism values humor in private but disapproves its public expression. This paradoxical attitude has profoundly influenced the Chinese’s attitudes toward humor for thousands years. Taoism values humor as a means for natural, witty, peaceful, and harmonious interactions. Buddhism sees humor as a means toward enlightenment and is thus more closely related to Taoism than to Confucianism. It concludes with my own observations of humor development in China.
