Chinese Culture (General)
Chinese Culture (General)
431 topics in this forum
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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…
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Symbolism of Sailing Ships. Sailing ships are quite popular with some. Similiar Period ships but with varying movements of ships captured in these paintings..
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Source: Today, Friday February 10, 2012 New York ... The ancient Chinese...
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Tan Swie Hian Museum @ Sims Avenue This is a small museum. And this place seems run-down... Furthermore, one no longer can find it marked on any of the Singapore streetmaps such as onemap or streetdirectory.com.
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Flying Star Feng Shui actually has its roots in this festival… believe it or not. It’s also linked to traditional Chinese sword-fighting formations, which are based on these 9 stars, often referred to as “The Big Dipper formation” and more. Taoist Nine Emperor Gods Festival (Kee Ong Yah festival), also known as the Nine Deities Star Gods Festival This Taoist festival always begins on the eve of the 9th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. These celebrations are generally found in Southeast Asian countries with significant ethnic Chinese communities. In essence, the Nine Emperors (deities) are associated with 9 stars: The Big Dipper consists o…
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Dear Anon, To the Chinese people, especially those who know the proper Chinese Tea ceremony will follow the sitting arrangements similar to the concepts found in the Ming Tang Wei. Under this concept, guests should be sitting west and the host should sit facing east. The location facing south is reserved for the king. While the guest of honour or the most eldest guest sit facing the host while the younger guest sits to the left of the eldest left and the next younger sits the right of the eldest. In the original ancient Korean ceremony is actually meant to sit four guests on one table. On the table for the tea ceremony, one would find:- 1. A tea-plate, 2. the tea-pot 3. F…
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1. Find out more about the Nanking 1937 to 1938:- Unlike the holocaust in Europe of the Jews, few people have heard of the Nanking Masscare. Nanking then was the capital of China and within a short span of 6 weeks, 300,000 Chinese were slaughtered in sadistic ways. Click this link to find out more:- http://www.nanking.org/ Click this link for :- Another good starting point Some of the above links contains gruesome pictures of rapes, beheading etc... not for the faint hearted. For example, this gruesome picture shows a picture of a mutliated lady. Others were roasted, nailed to the wall etc.. Click here for picture of:- Mutliated lady who was tortured and raped. Clic…
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Dear cecil, I read somewhere that chinese people do not keep a azalea plant or fig plant in their homes since they consider them yin plants. Is this true. Thanks.
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Dear Anon, 1. Traditionally, it is common to find a pair of Lions guarding each side of a main entrance in China. 2. Here, many Chinese especially overseas Chinese have followed this belief and placed similar sets of lions on both sides of their main door. 3. One good example is the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank, where you find two bronze statues on each side of the main entrance. 4. While in China, these statues are carved in stone. But since Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank is in the Banking area (Metal element) it thus use Metal (bronze) lions instead of stone ones. 5. Usually, these lion guardians are simply statues and serves more to give an impression (to human beings) rather …
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One Fact About Chinese Burial Days On the other hand, the opposite applies when opening for business during Chinese New Year – this is usually done on even lunar days, such as the 2nd, 4th, 6th, or 8th day of the lunar new year. Dear Users, I’ve received quite a number of emails asking about the meaning and importance of Kong Teck, so I’d like to share a simple explanation here. Chinese Traditions: What does “Kong Teck (Gong De) 功德 Funeral Memorial” mean? 1. This ritual is believed to bring blessings and merit to the soul of the person who has passed on. 2. Traditionally, it is considered most ideal for someone to pass away…
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Mr Zhou Youguang died on 14 January 2017 at the age of 111years. He is attributed to romanized mandarin and in Singapore, I remembered clearly that I started Primary 1 has to learn the traditional strokes. In Primary 2 onwards simplified mandarin. And at the same time each of us received a booklet on Hanyi Pinyin. However, during that time for examinations this was not taken seriously. Some of us found it useful. As Hanyi Pinyin was great for the English speaking students who found difficulties in speaking the language. Rest in peace Mr Zhou Youguan! You made a signific…
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Dear Anon, 1. Nowadays, with land scarcity, more people go for cremation. 2. The funeral procession remains unchanged till today. Instead of `bringing' the dead or leading him/her to the burial grounds by musicians clanging bells etc..., the dead is lead to the crematoria. 3. Usually a separate ceremony is conducted after the ashes of the dead has been collected. 4. The `dotting' of the eyes on the portrait is less commmon today. Few people follow this, as one would later have to continue `ancestor' worship i.e. place the portrait on an alter in the home. Offer incense etc... and prepare offerings during periods like Cheng Meng etc... 5. Burial sites such as the one show…
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Dear Anon, 1. Based on my personal observations, this holds particularly true during the 15 days of the Chinese New Year. 2. It is essential to comprehend that according to Chinese beliefs, items should be given in pairs, not singularly. 2.1. For instance, when presenting an 'Ang Pow' or red packet containing money in a red envelope during Chinese New Year or special occasions like an elderly person's birthday, the amount should be in pairs like $2, $4, $6, $10, and so on. 2.2. This practice is rooted in the belief that odd numbers like 1, 3, 5, 7 symbolize "loneliness." 2.3. In Feng Shui, this principle extends to the arrangement of chairs at a d…
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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The Hiang Foo Siang Temple (First photo) and Teng Siang San Hock Temple at Serangoon North Avenue 1
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These are the key essence:- 1. Yes, I have also highlighted recently in a forum message reply that under the concept of Grand Duke; "he doesn't like people to disturb, him". 2. Thus, based on the above; then, it is prudent not to place a noisy wind chime at East sector; this year. In the first place, why tempt fate by doing so? Life not exciting enough for the person? Go ahead, MAKE his day. " Just remember the Terminator's famous words " hasta la vista, baby!" 3. In the past, had met some clients with rather crazy geomancers. I recall one case, many donkey years ago; that was around thirteen years (I repeat 13 years ago); 4. This new client was not happy with me; becaus…
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Mangosteen is considered an exotictropical fruit that is grown primarily in hot, humid climates of southeast Asia such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia,Philippines and Vietnam. Mangosteen has a thick outer skin that isdark purplein colour. Itabout 2 to 3 inches in diameter the size of apeach or small apple. It bears fruits only twic a year. And usually fruit at the same time as the durian. It's flesh is white and sweet. And it is said to be a "cooling" fruit. Many people take mangosteen after taking the heaty durian. The most unique feature of each magosteen is that it has a distinct marking in the form of a petal. And the strangest thing is that the number of pet…
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In addition to my previous remarks, this message should be easily comprehensible to most Singaporean Chinese, with Hokkien being the predominant Chinese community. Teochews are also likely to grasp this message without difficulty. If you were to send it to a Taiwanese friend, it is generally acceptable, as most Taiwanese are either Hokkiens or have been raised with this language. However, if you send it to a friend from Hong Kong, it may not be as easily understood, since the majority of the Chinese dialect group there is Cantonese. Warmest Regards, Cecil
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Haha it's cute.
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The frontage of this government housing board flat includes several red features, such as two large lanterns, two small lanterns, and a large banner. Images show that many residents in this row burn incense sticks for spiritual reasons. This has caused blackened areas on the corridor ceiling. Contractors have covered these spots with white patches. Repainting the entire ceiling would make it look neater and more uniform.
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This is the most colourful Qilin, one could get...
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This photo was taken in Tampines, Singapore at around 7am in the morning. These elderly ladies are practising what is known as "Tai-ji fan exercises. It is interesting to hear the group of ladies flip the fan open together. The sound is like a "thunderous sound" of a platoon of soldiers standing at an attention! Why do the wrist exercise? Based on the Five Elements concept; flexing the wrist(s) is said to help improve one's liver and gall bladder. Usually, the exercise begins with the Five-element position and there is suppose to be two sets of routines each with six different stances. Did you see some of the ladies holding a fan?
Last reply by Cecil Lee, -
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The Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China. Built during the Ming Dynasty in the early 15th century
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The Temple of Heaven is a famous historical complex located in Beijing, China. Built during the Ming Dynasty in the early 15th century, it was used by emperors for annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. The site is much more than a single temple; it consists of several buildings set in a large park, with key structures including: 1. Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests: This iconic, circular building with a blue-tiled roof is where emperors prayed for an abundant harvest. It’s built entirely from wood and is known for its elegant construction without using nails. 2. Imperial Vault of Heaven: A smaller circular building, surrounded by the Echo Wall, which is fa…
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Dear Anon, This reminds me of what my mum told me, since young that one should not wear `torn clothings' as it implies that one would become a beggar. As some beggars wear torn clothings. Again, this is a Chinese belief. More modern parents would not `blink an eye' if their children go out and purposely buy torn jeans as they are in fashion sometime back. Maybe these modern parents even actually worn torn jeans. I guess, many of us know that this conference: Chinese culture, there are really no right or wrong answers as it is routed in one's personal beliefs and experiences. Let me elaborate further on another example. Some parents belief that if they young e.g. talks fi…
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Dear Dr Muthu, The main consideration is that the animal drawings should not portait any animals as showing a `hungry' face i.e. wanting to devour ... Other than this, it is acceptable to have animal paintings of non-fierce animals. It is best to avoid the tiger painting if you can. The horse, domestic cat and eagle are OK. The reason behind it is that Symbolism is important in Feng Shui and one should avoid " inauspicious " paintings deplicting them. Warmest Regards, Cecil Lee ----- Original Message ----- From: Listmanager To: Sent: Sunday, July 25, 1999 12:19 PM Subject: Tiger picture in house
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This interesting article shares some light into the `history' or invention of the toilet bowl...
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