Chinese tradition of eating together
Novembre 6, 2013
Chinese people like to eat together; this tradition can be traced a long time ago. It reflects the Chinese notion of union versus division—round tables, round dishes, and round bowls all symbolize union and perfection…
Learn MoreThe origins of the expressions of Wu Hua Ba Men
Novembre 6, 2013
Wu Hua Ba Men is a frequently-used Chinese idiom. It stands for variety and changeability. The literal meaning of “Wu hua” is five flowers and eight doors for “ba men”. Actually, Wu Hua Ba Men..
Learn MoreDifferent forms of address for a wife in China
Novembre 6, 2013
In Chinese, there are various forms of the address for a wife and each of them boasts different meanings. “huang hou” : an empress. “fu ren”: the wives of the dukes and princes. “zao kang”:..
Learn MoreTranquil interior surrounded by solid walls
Novembre 6, 2013
Unlike Greek architecture, which is an organic combination of blocks, Chinese traditional architecture emphasized unobstructedness and tone, and displays the rich variance and connotation of the tone with innumerable flowing lines. Large, solid walls..
Learn MoreThe occasions of drinking alcohol (Ⅱ): Showing respect to the dead
Novembre 6, 2013
In China, except for drinking alcohol on auspicious moments, people also drink on some sad moments, such as to show respect to the dead. In ancient China, when a dead person was buried, some alcohol..
Learn MoreThe Court Music
Novembre 6, 2013
In ancient China, the royal families liked to enjoy music and dances very much, also they used this kind of entertainment to celebrate some important days. Thus it gave the chance for the development of..
Learn More(Ⅱ)Chinese people’s love for the 12 animals
Novembre 5, 2013
The Tiger In the character of the oracle bone script for tiger, the tiger’s round head faces upwards, the tail faces downwards, and the body shows a striped pattern. The Chinese people believe that tigers..
Learn MoreLearn Chinese Ⅴ: Chinese Characters and Numbers
Novembre 5, 2013
Five (wu, “五”) The ancient Chinese people believed that the world was composed of five basic substances: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. These five substances are known as the Five Elements (“wu xing”). The..
Learn MoreStudy Chinese: wood/tree – Chinese Characters and Plants
Novembre 5, 2013
Study Chinese: 木(mu, wood/tree),林(lin, many trees),森(sen, forest) The Chinese character of the oracle bone scrip for “木” resembles a tree with roots and branches. In the old days, the character “木” meant “tree”. It is..
Learn Morefree clouds and wild crane
Novembre 5, 2013
Literally, the idiom “xian yue ye he” means “free clouds and wild crane”. It is not a meaningless idiom. It refers to the people who live a quite free life and have no other concerns..
Learn More