Ancient Chinese Culture

Lantern Festival

sharon — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:27:46 +0000

Lantern Festival, also known as Yuan Xiao Festival or Shang Yuan Festival, falls on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month. For Chinese, it is a festival of great significance that is widely celebrated by families all around China.

The festival has a long history in China which can date back to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25). There are many different versions about the origin of the Lantern Festival. But it is believed that it had something to do with religious worship.

In the daytime of that day, people have the chance to appreciate wonderful performances such as lion dances, dragon lantern dances, yangge dances, etc. At night, most families will let off fireworks. But the main attraction on that day is the lanterns. Decorative lanterns depicting animals, flowers, historical figures are found everywhere. People may also participate in the game which is called Guessing Lantern Riddles.

Another important part of the festival is eating Yuanxiao or Tangyuan, small dumpling balls made of glutinous rice flour. Nowadays, the custom of eating Yuanxiao still remains.

Bamboo

sharon — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:50:23 +0000

In the world of plants, bamboo, together with plum blossom, orchids and chrysanthemum are called the Four Gentlemen or the four Noble Ones as they are believed to have something in common with human virtues. People believe that its deep root denotes resoluteness, its tall, straight stem represents honorability, its hollow interior modesty and its clean and spartan exterior exemplifies chastity.

Due to its characteristics, it has been highly favored by Chinese, especially the scholars. It can be commonly found in Chinese paintings and literary works.

When bamboo was placed in a fire it would create a loud crackling sound which was similar to firecrackers, therefore, in ancient times, it was always used to frighten away evil spirits, such as the mythical beast Nian.

Pangu Seperates the Sky from the Earth

sharon — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:34:40 +0000

Story goes that long long ago, the sky and earth were integrated into one body that like an egg. The whole universe was inside a shell so it was dark and quiet. Then Pengu, who was born to set about the task of creating the world, finally woke up after his long nap. When he found the universe was too small for him, he picked up an axe and broke the shell. The sky and earth were separated from each other after his swing of axe. Afraid that the two get together again, Pangu stood between them and pushed up the sky.

However, the whole task took 18,000 years. During all these days, Pangu grew ten feet a day and the distance between the sky and earth increased each day. After 18,000 years, Pangu exhausted and went back to sleep but never wake up again.

It is said that his left eye became the sun and his right eye became the moon; his trunk became high mountains and his blood became rivers; his muscle became the soil field; his hair and beard became the stars and grasses; his teeth and bones turned out to be precious stones and minerals; his breath became the wind and cloud; his shout became the thunderbolt; his sweat turned out to be the rain. The parasites on his body then became the divers races of humankind.

Eight Immortals – Li Tieguai

Spring Festival

sharon — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:53:51 +0000

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival in China. Its history can date back to the Shang Dynasty (1600BC – 1100BC).

The festival consists of a period of celebrations, starting on the first day of the first lunar month and ending with the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the month. In Chinese culture, it is the most important festival for all the family members to get together.

Celebration

Sweeping of the Grounds
For the preparation for the New Year, every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned ten days before the New Year Day.

Spring Couplets
Spring Couplets represent best wishes and fortune for the coming year. They will be posted on the front doors in the month before the New Year’s Day, and often stay up for two months.

Reunion Dinner
All the family members will get together to have dinner on the New Year’s Eve.

Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

Food
In Chinese culture, there are many foods related with this festival, for example, Niangao, Jiaozi, Fagao, Yusheng, etc.

Nine Sons of the Dragon – Bi Xi

sharon — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:20:42 +0000

Bi Xi, also known as Baxia, is the first son of the dragon. His figure looks like tortoise, therefore, he is commonly called the Dragon Tortoise. Bi Xi is easily can be found carrying stone tablets with inscriptions as he is believed to be powerful and has great strength. Due to its tortoise-like appearance, he also represents longevity of one’s good fortune. It is said that one will have good luck if he touches the animal.