Chinese Culture (General)
Chinese Culture (General)
430 topics in this forum
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The Russian culture also has a similar tradition: As soon as the couple is married the families greet them with bread, salt and an icon. It is considered bad luck not to have any bread in the house.
Last reply by elena, -
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Dear Anon, Last hear, I saw a documentary where for example, some British hospitals have adopted acupuncture inconjunction with western medicines. I understand that many years back gingseng plant has been cultivated in US and this has medicinal properties. Nowadays, when we Chinese go to a Chinese herbal shop, we can easily ask for the cheaper US ginseng. In fact, if one goes to a Chinese hospital today, many traditional herbs are used. It goes down to the root of Yin and yang concept. Where, for example, each ailment can be explained as being too yang or too yin. In such a situation, a remedy or herbs which can be classified into yin or yang is prescribed. (What I menti…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Elena, 1. No, the Chinese traditionally do not hang a horsehose. 2. Even today, in my opinion, I have yet to see a typical Chinese family doing it. 3. More commonly, the Chinese hang a piece of red cloth (with auspicious characters) over the main entrance. 4. It is also common to find a pair of lanterns hung on each side of the door. 5. More... The horse has been around in China for a long time and ancient diggings have discovered beautifully carved horse figurines. The horseshoe design is used widely at graves and also the recent development which I mentioned " The Tropica " under the Topic- Photo Tours of Interest with pictures. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, I believe you have brought up an interesting question:) Case 1 1. Let me share with you a recent case (showing the `non-importance' of unforuntately `women' ... on another issue.. 2. Recently, there is this case where this wealthy Chinese died. 3. In his will he asked that only after his last wife died and after 20 years later can then his wealth be distributed amongst his decendants. (Usually, this are his grand-children or later..). 4. In his will he specifically asked that none of his wealth can be distributed to the `daughters' of his children. As he felt that they `do not' belong to his family. (The assumption that `girls' would get married and later belo…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, So far, China has come to grip with economic development and thus the focus on most people's mind is to make `money' and security for their family. Many Chinese at the moment are simply `struggling' and not so fluent to be involved in cults. So far, Chinese government view the Fa Long Kong cult a threat and another major `gang' as threats to the fabric of the society. Otherwise, the country can be considered relatively free from `cults'. In the past, especially in overseas Chinese, such as Hong Kong and even Singapore, secret societies were more prevalent especially in the 1950's; 1960's and 1970's due to the poorer economic situation in such countries. Today…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, It is a common practice for Chinese to place figurines of Gods and deities facing `outwards' rather than inwards into a home. The rationale is the belief that e.g. it would not be appropriate for a altar to face a bedroom or a toilet or other `rooms'. This is because, e.g. bedrooms are considered `dirty' locations e.g. the place where some of us change our clothes... marriage couples induldge in intimacies etc... It is thus considered not appropriate for these figurines to face `inwards' into the home. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, In my opinion, there is some truth in what you had mentioned although it does not have to do with auspicious or inauspiciousness. The reason is because, as many villages and places have abundance of wood (material), it is natural to obtain common and cheap objects (yet strong and sturdy) such as bamboos etc... At the same time, objects especially display stands are usually made of wood as they can easily be carved with intricate designs. Many homes usually display e.g. an elaborate vase with a wooden stand. Few if any of such stands are made of metal. Under the Five Elements concept: Wood destroys or control Earth. Thus, in terms of balance, one would realise …
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Spring, I have also done some research and trying to see if I can find something. But currently, I have not found subject relating to webbed feet. Will let you know if I found anything on this. Anyway, what is beautiful in life is in our `heart' and what we make full use of our life:) Overall, for the feet, based on the outline, it can also be classified under one of the five elements: Fire (pointed...especially the pointed toes) , Water (wavy), Earth (squarish) and Metal (roundish feet). Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, Yes, usually, chopsticks (for eating) i.e. placed on a dining table should preferably be placed on horizontal. In restaurants and some home, a small chopstick stand e.g. a porcelain shaped fish or other objects is used. The front portion of the chopstick is resting on this `stand'. As for placing chopsticks vertical on a dining table, so far, it usually cannot be done unless it is placed in a cup or glass. But this seems `rude' and so far never in my life, did I see such a thing before. Usually, in a restaurant, a porcelian recptacle is used where many chopsticks are kept prior to `displaying' them on dining tables. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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I have read that it is good if your living room is in the Northwest or if you were born in a dog year.
Last reply by emowrer, -
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Dear Anon, Quite recently, there was a news article on divorce in China. The main cause of what I read was that the men in China are getting more `well off' and some of these men engaged in illict affairs. Usually, the women are more forgiving but usually it is the men who initiated the divorce. Divorce is indeed an `ugly' word all over the world. It leaves a scar on the innocent child or children. Yes, based on what I read, divorce is gaining a foothold and increasingly place an impact on the family unit in China. Usually, the poor wife has difficulty getting child support and may need to work to raise their child in China or she may instead get support from her close re…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_00A3_01C11FF2.26BF4320 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable This article shares light into the hanging of a handphone on one's =neck... and the `new' danger it may pose to a person:- --- Original Message -- Hello Everyone, There has been a growing trend of people starting to wear their hand =phones around their necks with some sort of a necklace device. This =trend started to come about recently when hand phones have started to get =lighter and lighter. However, doing so is actually very harmful according to doctors. As we =all know, hand phones discharg…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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I believe some of us have read about the claims on the health giving =properties of drinking green tea. I find this article interesting. WORK HARD BUT DO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH. According to increasing research worldwide, each cup of green tea is more than just a comforting brew. It could very well be your cup of good health. 1. FRESHEN UP For starters, tea enhances your environment. New research points to used tea bags to help fight sick-house syndrome. According to Tokyo Metropolitan Comprehensive Consumer Centre, formaldehyde, usually found in bonding agents, emits an unpleasant odour sometimes causing allergies and other health pro…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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A touching story........ One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the Chinese countryside with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be = considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the = trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked. "Oh yeah" said the son. "So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they had four." "We have = a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that = has …
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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This pictures shows some items that are brought into a new house: 1. Usually, an auspicious date (and time) is chosen. 2. On the auspicious day and time, the owner of the home brings some auspicious items into the home: 2.1 A packet of salt, rice and sugar. 2.2 Some of the items shown in the picture are: - A red charcoal stove - A red container containing coal (representing gold) - A `huat' quay or self-raising cake (symbolic of a `raise') - For the Hokkien (Chinese dialect group), a pineapple is rolled from the main entrance door into the house. A `pineapple' represent luck. - Some sweets etc... Take a look at the picture Besides the above, water is boiled immediately af…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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1. For those who are not familar with this delicacy, when uncooked, it looks and feels like strands of fine hair. 2. Some of us, usually add `facai' to a dish during Chinese New Year for `luck'. Read on...
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, In a `communist' China (especially, in the past), women are considered `equal' or have played equal roles in all areas. For example, in the army, there are also elite Chinese special force (army) women who are considered `equal' with the men. If one looks hard enough, one can find an equal share of women jouranlist/newscasters in China. Especially in the development of communism, women, have grown in prominence as compared to the past (Imperial dynasties). Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, In my opinion, this is not true. This is because, for one reason, especially in China, as houses are to live in and not often houses are sold. It is difficult to find alternative housing. One interesting thing is that trees are grown if they can thrive in a particular region. It would be interesting to know that in my country, if you do drive around in an estate, it is common to see an alternate house growing mango tree. Mango trees thrive in my region. For larger houses, especially in the past e.g. where houses (were) around 8,000 sq feet or more, you can see both Mango and rambutan trees planted. But because of land scarcity and smaller landed properties, Man…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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This interesting article shares some light into the `history' or invention of the toilet bowl...
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, In my personal opinion, these small magnets are the least of our worries (in terms of applying Feng Shui). It is quite common to find even coca cola small magnets or other colorful ones placed on the fridge. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, In my opinion, this is not necessarily a true statement. However, if one is poor and caught HIV or aids, you do need money to pay for `better' treatment. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, In my opinion, this is not true. On the contrary, many Chinese party officials remarry after the demise of their wife. For example: The late Chairman Mao remarried Mdm Jiang Jing (who later tried to take power) after he died. His earlier wife died and he then married Mdm Jiang The most recent President Jiang, also has a wife. Many other party officials have a family also. It is the belief that to be `respected' one must not be a `bachelor'. Therefore, in my opinion, it is not that girls are afraid to marry them but rather, usually their wife's play a low key position (or seemed to play a low key). Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, Yes, in my opinion, quite alot of Chinese doctors, do approach their work in a holistic way. It is also because, the patients are receptive to them and give them lots of respect. In fact, majority of the time, one reason is because, some of these doctors operate their own pharmacy i.e. or medical hall. Here, their clinic is like a pharmacy and if they have the time, would explain or at least answer the questions. In my opinon, we should not say that Western medicine VS Chinese medicine but rather, they can co-exist with each other. In the past, many people have very high respects for Chinese doctors and this respect gives comfort to many who tend to open up to …
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, Chinese women do smoke but they are fewer than males. So far, in my opinion, I personally came across very few if any Chinese women (who had smoked to an elderly age). On the contrast, I know of many Chinese men, who even smoke at the age of 80+ or more. I personally cannot understand why, but in my lifetime, I can recall at least 8 to 10 elderly persons (male) who continue to smoke but yet did not die because of it. I know that some of them smoke quite heavily. Maybe, I may be mistaken but, so far, I know they died of old age i.e. 80 to 90 plus. Perhaps, I am not sure why they did not die from e.g. cancer etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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Dear Anon, In my country, which is predominatly Chinese i.e. 70% of the population are Chinese. It is interesting to note that, the Ministry of Environment officals can give a fine or summons to hawkers (selling drinks or food) found to serve food on broken crockery. Personally, I inherited an antique Goddess of Mercy figurine. Unfortunately, one of the lotus leaf (has a small chip). I personally could not throw it away. But I had a fingure of the Chinese Monkey God, it's hand was broken, when I shifted to this home 5 years ago. Since this is a major `damage' I had no choice but to throw it away. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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