Chinese Culture (General)
Chinese Culture (General)
430 topics in this forum
-
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.3k views
Dear Anon, Usually, the large vases is to give an `impression' or as a display piece. The advantage of large objects is that it is harder or acts as a deterent for someone to carry it away. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
Sponsored Link -
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.3k views
Dear Anon, 1. Yes there is some truth in not keeping the ancestor pictures facing the dinning room. 2. In my opinion, it is more a belief. One rationale is that it is being disrespectful if we do not offer food. But instead gobble it up. 3. The alternative is that (as a last resort) if some houses are really small, like those found in Hong Kong (very small houses), they may just do that. But here, food or fruits are offered at the altar to "applease the ancestor". The above would help in such circumstances. 4. For your point on SW (Earth element location) and NW (Metal element), there is not much logic in mentioning the two locations. 5. Even if we analyse further, SW is …
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.3k views
Yesterday, went for an appointment, near-by. This food stall (operated by a mainland Chinese) in the Midview Building at Bukit Batok has the signage that says " Everyone OK kitchen".
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.2k views
Dear Anon, You will be surprised to learn that there are equal amounts of Chinese women priests. These priests (depending on their denomination) some wear greyish or `pastel sky blue' clothings. They have their own temples and live a life of celebracy similiar to (the Catholics: Fathers and Sisters). Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.2k views
The infinity knot nowadays is a very common sight. This infinity knot includes the symbol "FU" = Prosperity.
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.2k views
Dear Anon, It is quite common for the Chinese to `replace' the use of Lion statues outside their main gate (of some homes with Elephant statues). Elephants looks solid and `stands firm' on the ground. In Indian culture, elephants are equally `admired'. This is also true particuarly in Thailand. One simple reason is because of its strength and its trunk, elephants have been trained effectively to haul logs and timbers. They are intelligent workhorse. As such, especially the Thailand) or the Thai people, produce cheap Elephant carvings. I believe this gets sold worldwide. Not all Chinese, especially in my region use elephants. More often, those who went to Thailand either …
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
- 1 reply
- 6.2k views
Dear Anon, In the past, Chinese fear an eclipse. This was because, it means that the sun has been `swallowed up'. And the `world' became dark. During the eclipse, they would use musical instruments and make sounds like clangs, beat the drums in the hope that the sun would `rise' again. This was before Chinese astrologers had predicted and advised the Emperors of the forthcoming eclipse. Once, it was known that the eclipse could be calculated and predicted, this `fear' of the sun got eaten up no longer worried the people. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.2k views
Dear Anon, 1. A `popular' painting is an eagle perched on a pine tree. This is considered a suitable gift for an elderly person: 1.1. the eagle represents strength. 1.2. the pine tree represents longevity. 2. Thus the significance of the painting is symbolic of strength and longevity for the elderly. 3. Given the above combined significance, it should not be considered inauspicious to keep `an eagle' inside that house because it is a predatory bird. Thus, with many books comes various opinions and on the final analysis, each of us have to form our own judgements. In my opinion, such a painting, with its combined significiance should not be considered inauspicious. In Eur…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.2k views
1228HRS in Cantonese sounds like ?easier to be / get prosperous??
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.2k views
I can choose which facing direction for my house every second, every minute, every hour and every day. Can your house do so?
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.2k views
Is this for real? Sheep Placenta as natural skin food? Who dare to swallow these capsules? Saw this in a local Traditional herbal shop.... .... Vomit..... vomit....
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.2k views
Dear Anon, Thus, when one is born, he/she is already 1 year old! In olden days, even now, we still consider ourselves + 1 to our birthday. But due to government reports and Identity cards etc... we have to show our true age (western age). No, this is not true. We are proud to celebrate birthdays. Especially of the elderly. For the elderly, special dishes especially in the restaurant include: 1. "Long noodles". Noodles that are long (uncut) as long as possible to signify longevity. 2. Peach shaped loaves of bread. It is common to find this bread served for an elder's birthday. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.2k views
The Shanghai Commission for Management of Language use has been trying to fix malapropisms in the city's English-language signs and menus. "Gone too, is Racist Park, a cultural attraction that has since been rechristened Minorities Park.
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.2k views
Every few months, some Chinese temples releases "life" from birds to...erh.... latest.. cockles???
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.2k views
In Singapore, it is very common to find food offerings by hawker vendors (or stall holders). The stall holders would serve a plate (sample) of their food that is for sale on that day to the Gods (deity) in the hope to drum up business. (Location: Coffeshop next to the Kovan Residences (just TOP).
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.1k views
Dear Anon, Usually, the traditional Goldsmith shops have the four types of gold. Actually, it has to do with the mixture of gold and their pureness that gives the gold different colours. Thus the `four types of gold'. This is a common practise of the Teochew dialect group. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.1k views
Despite the Beijing municipal government's two-decade-old push to encourage "green interments", which include so-called tree, burials, only 2 per cent of familes choose these cheaper and purportedly more eco-friendly methods of burial. Tree burials refer to the burying of body ashed under trees, flowers and lawns. "The earliest tree burial was promoted in the Fengtai district in 1990, when the local government held a gropu interment ceremony with tree burials," said Mr Jiang Xiaogang, secretary-general of the Beijing Funeral Association. He said the tree burials now use urns made of biodegradable materials, which turn into soil after several months or years, dependi…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.1k views
Dear Anon, 1. In my opinion, this may not be necessary true. (If we only look at the `western violin'). 2. The Chinese have many different `wind instruments' and in my opinion, the violin is more a `western' instruments. There are `Chinese violins' and need not be in the shape of the western violin or the material used. The Chinese also have a keyboard type wind instrument `Qin' with many strings and they use their fingers to play on. Much like a guitar but flat and more strings parallel to each other. Others include `Pipa' instruments. There are quite alot of CDs on music played on these instruments. Others include, instruments with snake skins and animaal hairs (strings…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.1k views
Nevermind even if it is not the year of the pig. Someone still is born in that year, right?
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.1k views
Source: The Straits Times, Wednesday January 19, 2005, Page 5 ============================================ Extract: "a red mourning armband is to show respect to an elderly..... In Chinese tradition, red mourning bands are worn by great-grandchildren...."
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
-
- Staff
- 0 replies
- 6.1k views
This feature wall showing a procession of a traditional Chinese wedding. The feature wall is part of a restaurant's welcoming mural. Location: Vivo City. Very unique mural. Symbolically; the procession seems auspicious. As it looks like a crowd of people "marching" into the restaurant! Thus, seems meaningful.
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
- 1 reply
- 6.1k views
Dear Anon, Red symbolises auspiciousness for the Chinese. It can be seen on wedding invitation cards, red banners above the main door, during Chinese New Year or on moving into a new house etc... The Japanese do have a Koi fish e.g. the Tancho, with a circular red patch on the fish's head. The rest of the body of the fish is white (silvery) coloured. The Red also symbolises the `rising' sun. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.1k views
Dear Anon, 1. In the past, a large percentage of Chinese do not have tatoos. During the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's, tatoos especially elaborate ones are found on Chinese gangsters or secret society members. 2. You can really see lots of tatoos on their bodies, hands and legs. 3. It was not difficult for the Police Secret Society Supression unit to run them up. 4. Even in the 1980's, tatoos on these youths but lesser. With the advent of model `equipment' or status symbols, at one time, many of these youths or secret society members carry instead at one time `expensive' Motorola `brick' handphones of the 80's. Suddenly, handphones, from my personal observation became the st…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
- 1 reply
- 6.1k views
Dear Anon, Off-hand, this is just a recollection of what I read. So do not take this as reference but just comments. In the past, the Chinese were conquered by the Mongolians or Manchus. Naturally, they were asked to cut away their `pride' which was their pony tails. I believe the pony tails as you mentioned was their `pride and ego' of being a Chinese. But again, the conquerors of China, the Manchus were not happy and thus forced these Chinese to cut away their pony tails. I believe, some Chinese skilled in Kung Fu had used their hair for self-defence e.g. as a weapon just like a knife. Pony tails can inflict a wound just like a whip. This last part is what I have seen i…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
- Staff
- 1 reply
- 6.1k views
Dear Anon, Yes, the foundation of Chinese belief is to take care of their elders. It is also due to `Confucianism' or teachings on respect for the elders. Thus `filial piety' is prevalent in Chinese society. Warmest Regards, Cecil
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
-
Recently Browsing 0 members
- No registered users viewing this page.