Study Chinese: (4) Chinese characters and food
November 5, 2013
As everyone knows, the most important holiday in China is the Spring Festival—“春节(chūnjié)”. The Chinese people use the phrase “过年(?uònián)”—celebrate the New Year. What’s the meaning of “年”. It is one of the Chinese people..
Learn MoreChinese Poetry
November 5, 2013
Ancient Chinese poetry, tells us that poets didn’t need material thongs to be happy, all they needed was a pleasant scene, a poem and alcohol. This so-called “pleasant scene” was really just Mother Nature and..
Learn MoreNaxi People in Lijiang
November 5, 2013
Even today, the Nakhi people in Lijiang are still a matrilineal society where the women are the head of their household. During the wedding ceremony, it is traditional for the bride to demonstrate she is..
Learn MoreThe Cool Guys (冷娃lěng wá) of Shaanxi
November 5, 2013
In China, the men in Shaanxi are often called “Shaanxi lěn? wá”. It isn’t used to describe coolness. Some people use the words “strong”, “cold(lěn?)”, “hard” and “tough” to describe the personalities of people of..
Learn MoreAncient Chinese jokes: Grandson (sūn zi)
November 4, 2013
Master Ai had a grandson about 10 years old. As he was wicked and not eager to learn, his grandfather often gave him a good caning. His father, therefore, was awfully afraid this only son..
Learn MoreThe worship of the God of marriage in China
November 4, 2013
Fuxi and Nvwa; Chang’e In the primitive times, the Chinese people took Fuxi and Nvwa as the gods of marriage and worshipped them. According to legends, Fuxi and Nvwa were the ancestors of all humanity…
Learn MoreThe Hezhe Nationality: Religion and belief
November 4, 2013
Hezhes, with Shamanism as their belief, believe that everything has its mystical powers and that the world and the heavenly bodies, though controlled by gods, each have its soul. Hezhes make sacrificial offerings to varieties..
Learn MoreThe Luoyang Water Banquet
November 4, 2013
A water banquet has two requirements and the first one is that soups are the only hot dishes allowed to be presented. The second requirement is that once a dish is finished, it is immediately..
Learn MoreChinese Wedding Preparations
November 2, 2013
The origin of trousseaux In ancient Chinese marriage, as the bridegroom’s family was busy preparing the bridal chamber and furniture, the bride’s family was occupied with the preparation of trousseaux. In ancient times, trousseaux referred..
Learn MoreLaba Rice Porridge
November 2, 2013
Lunar December is called “腊月”in Chinese custom. Why it is called “腊月”? This origin is very early. It is said that since Zhou Dynasty, Chinese culture has called lunar December as “腊月”. In ancient agricultural..
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