Cultural diffusion is the spread of ideas and customs from one society to another. There can be a variety of ways, such as migrations, wars, missionaries, and trade.
The Silk Road of ancient China is an example of cultural diffusion in East Asia, which arises as a result of trade. Also, glass, gold, silver came from Egypt and Middle East Arab cities to China. These are material goods, but they have a strong influence on the culture of China, since they began to decorate tombs, palaces with gold and silver. Inventions like paper went in the opposite direction, from China the paper expanded throughout the Eurasia, opening a new chapter in the culture of these parts. However, there was not just an exchange of goods. At the same time, cultural and religious exchanges also took place. Buddhism, the religion of the Kushan kingdom came from India to China.
The countries of Southeast Asia are closely linked in cultural and historical terms. Also, this area has a great cultural impact due to its geographical position, shaped by the passage of cultures and religions that have followed historical trade routes. Their position is such that they are located between the Roman and Chinese trade routes. The countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos have constantly been exposed to new cultures from the east and west, which should have a lasting impact on their artistic traditions. Different material goods, gold, textiles, paper money. Buddhism and Hinduism spread east from India and left a legacy in the arts and architecture of these societies. Islam from the Middle East too.
The most interesting, perhaps, is India in the south of Asia. Hinduism as the religion coming from this country is the oldest religaion in the world. From this religion came all the others, including Buddhism, meditation, yoga. I do not mean monotheistic religions. It belongs to the group of Indo-European religions whose basic principles are Reincarnation and Karma. Principles that are familiar to today's world. One of the most notorious signs of "swastika" originates from this religion, although in it there is a completely different, positive connotation. Hinduism has also undergone changes in history, such as the influence of the Aryans and their Sanskrit language. Then the influence of Britain during colonial status. Islam also came to India. How is Hinduism so present today? It is precisely thanks to cultural diffusion through trade exchanges, wars, conquests. It seems that trade and cultural diffusion are linked and together they influence the development of civilization.
