Three-inch golden lotus
Posted by sharon in Life of Ancient Chinese on September 3, 2010
Three-inch golden lotus refers to the ‘ideal’ length (three inches long) of a perfect foot of young girls and women in ancient China. Bound feet are regarded as “lotus”.
The history of foot binding can date back to the period of Sui Dynasty (581~618). In Song Dynasty (960~1279), it was quite popular and widely spread. At that time, it is generally believed the little feet were the most beautiful. Women also viewed foot binding as a kind of virtue. However, in order to get the three-inch long foot, they had to bear the sharp pain.
Based on the size, bound feet can be divided into different grades of “lotus”. Ferrous lotus is the feet of more than four inches. Four-inch feet are called silver lotus. Three-inch golden lotus refers to three-inch feet, which was regarded as the most beautiful feet at that time.
In ancient times, girls began to bind their feet at the age of five or six. They were often forced to bind feet by the mother or the grandmother. Ignoring the crying of their daughter or granddaughter, they usually used the long cloth to bind the toes to the arch. The binding even involved breaking the arch of the foot.
The custom of foot binding not only reflects the unique aesthetic standards of ancient China, but also represents that at that time, men are more superior to women. Therefore, women had no choice but to conform to meet some ideal image of what a man preferred.
Eighteen Oddities in Yunnan
Posted by sharon in Life Etiquette on September 2, 2010
Eighteen Oddities in Yunnan, also called Eighteen Wonders of Yunnan, are eighteen unique traits in Yunnan Province.
Eighteen Oddities in Yunnan are generally presented as follows:
1. The eggs are sold tying up with straws.
2. Bamboo hats are used as pot covers, which are of good breathability.
3. Three mosquitoes can make up a dish as the mosquitoes are so large that just three mosquitoes are large enough to compose a dish.
4. Bamboo is used for smoking pipes.
5. Erkuai – a local famous snack made of rice, which is very savory and glutinous. It can be boiled, braised, fried, etc.
6. The same clothes can be worn for all four seasons. You may also see the clothes for all four seasons on a day in Yunnan as the climatic conditions may vary widely. Maybe during the day you are wearing the T-shirt, but at night you have to wear the sweater.
7. Young girls are usually called “Old Lady”. It is expression of intimacy and goodwill, wishing it can bring the girls good health.
8. Automobiles run faster than trains as there are many curves around the high mountains and canyons.
9. Toes are exposed all year round, which can make people feel cool as people often climb mountains.
10. Rain here but sunshine there as the weather in Yunnan is often variable between areas.
11. Girls wearing flowers for all the four seasons.
12. Girls carry tobacco bags as in some regions, girls have the habit of smoking.
13. Green vegetable is called bitter vegetable. It got its name not from its taste but from the old customs.
14. Old women climb mountains faster than monkeys as they are quite diligent and always chop firewood inside mountains. Even at the age of 80 or 90, they still can climb the mountains freely as if they are walking on the flat land.
15. Trains go abroad but not inland. In ancient time, there was only one railway from Kunming to Hanoi of Vietnam but no domestic railway.
16. Monks can have love affairs.
17. Children are raised by men as women are busy with their work, thus most men stay at home to take care of their children.
18. Automobiles are moving in the clouds as roads in Yunnan always wind up along colossal and precipitous mountains and fog spreads all over the mountaintops.
Nowadays, some of the traits already disappeared, while some of them have been retained. However, Eighteen Oddities in Yunnan really reflect the unique location and culture of Yunnan Province.
Cao Cao
Posted by sharon in Notable Figures on September 1, 2010
Cao Cao (155～220), also called the Emperor of Weiwu, is a famous statesman, strategist, poet during the period of Eastern Han Dynasty (25~220). In his lifetime, he unified the northern China and also contributed to the foundation of the kingdom of Wei (220-265).
He showed an aptitude for study when he was very young. He was well versed in both literature and martial arts and is almost omnipotent. Praised as the most successful ruler at that time, he played an important role in unifying the North China, resuming the economical production, stabilizing the social order, the development of agriculture, etc.
Cao Cao is not only a brilliant ruler, but also a great poet. Based on the content, his poetry can be divided into three categories: the disturbances during the period of the late Han Dynasty (202BC~220), his wishes of unifying China and his stubborn enterprising spirit. One of his most famous poems is Tortoise Lives Long.
Cao Cao is always a controversial historic character, which makes him more sincere. However, no one could deny that he is an outstanding statesman, strategist and poet.
