Chinese Culture (General)

Fewer in Singapore streets today He seems to use poker cards... lol

Closer to the Chinese New Year, commercial items includes things like naming pumpkins and hulus (bottle gourds) as "lucky items".

The Malaysian Prime Minister's view about why Malaysia is not afraid of China's rise to power.... The morale of the story: Like all (most) people in the world; Yes, there are suicides.. but NO, Chinese don't strap themselves with explosives and blow-up themselves AND THE INNOCENT.

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…

Dear Anon, So far, as I recalled, since the history of Modern Olympic games which started in Athens, Greece in 1896, China has not hosted the games. While I believe, Moscow, USSR had hosted one in 1980. In my opinion, I feel the most `memorable' one is the games in Berlin, Germany where, documentary of Jesse James (US and `Black') who won a medal.. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Yes, indeed, this is a popular belief that a home should not have too many `holes'. 2. Most importantly, the frontage of the house should have windows and main door in the right proportion ie. the windows should not be extremely large. At the same time, if the main door has sliding glass panels, avoid opening all the panels. Some houses have both sliding panels and main door. Avoid opening the sliding panels if you can. 3. Under commonsense approach, it is best to avoid having too many windows. This is to avoid, an unsecured home e.g. attractive to a `cat burgler' especially if the house is a corner house or there is a forest behind the house. Warmest Regar…

A very colourful and bright red rickshaw widely used in Hong Kong in the 1960's thereabouts. Notice that this rickshaw may not fit the larger sized Chinese of today - "the hamburger kid"

Dear Anon, 1. Yes, this is quite true for some overly superstitious Chinese. 2. Not all Chinese belief in this but there are some who considered it inauspicious to use water from the bathroom. 3. Anyway, these are just a `small group' of Chinese. 4. In modern times, so long as the water comes from the tap, many fish lovers have instead, collected water from the rain or use tap water. But if tap water is used, the water is not immediately poured into the fish tank but kept for several days (in order for the flouride and other neutralising agents to settle). Some hobbist even purchase neutralising agents and add a few drops to the water to neutralise this. So that the wate…

Dear Anon, Like Russia of the past, China, pay equal emphasis on sports and sports participation even in the Olympics. I believe the strongest sport I can immediately think of is table tennis. This is easily their best area. Plus volleyball etc.. In the last decade or two, they have also excelled in badminton, competition diving and even swimming to name a few. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. During the cultural revolution or the peak of communism, most of the movies, have a story line and a `morale' of the story. Yeah, this type of shows are more to inculcate, patrotism, communism and `achievement' for the country. 2. In the late 70s, there are some good shows directed by Chinese Directors which had won an award at the Cannes festival.e.g like the Red chamber etc... which relates a story about prostitution etc... 3. In the 90s, many films are shot in China. For example, many of the `period dramas' e.g. sword fighting by Singapore broadcasting Statutory board, shot several films in scenic parts of China. Many Hong Kong directors also direct film…

Dear Anon, 1. Yes, at one time China do produce cars especially a special version of `offical' cars. These cars, looks similiar to those manufactured in Russia. (Black cars). 2. Nowadays, car manufaturers have set up manufacturing plants. Many types of cars have been imported into the country such as Mercedes which are popular with the more affluent Chinese. Other makes have also shown up. 3. However, the most popular transport is still the bicyles. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. Dyed eggs are eggs, placed in hot water and red edible dye. 2. Red is an auspicious colour. 3. Birthday 6, 8 or 12 eggs are boiled with the red edible dye. No. of eggs boiled depending on the number of family members. 4. Baby's One Month Celebration 2, 4 or 6 eggs are given out plus other gifts such as `treats' are given out. Nowadays, eggs and a full rounded each cake are given out to relative and friends. Warmest Regards, Cecil

[Note: Cross posted from the conference: Try these Fun Polls] Pictures of the Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong can be found under this URL:- http://www.bankofchina.com/english/bank/bankf3c.htm -------- Original Message ------- Message cross posted from conference: Chinese Culture Dear cecil, I read in couple of books that bank of china resembles a knife and posses threat to the surrounding building since knife cuts through surrounding building. Is this correct. Thanks. --------- End of Message --------- What do you think? Although you have not seen the neighbouring building, however, do try to make a guess! Do you think that the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong …

Chinese Funeral procession

Dear Brenda, 1. In Feng Shui, one should not look to `dominate'. 2. A much nicer sounding word would be a binding element i.e. an element that can bind the two persons together. 3. For information, there is a Free report: Comparison Report (to be used inconjunction with version 7.0 of Pillars of destiny report). 4. Here, you simply select the Person A and Person B's particulars for comparison. 5. Advise is given on which is the best binding element for the two persons. 6. I have always used this module to generate reports and advise the clients especially on what colors to `bind' them in locations both spent time at especially their bedroom. The report is at http://www.g…

Dear Anon, 1. The most famous legend of the peach is its association with immortality. Here, the story is that the immortality peach ripens only every 1,000 years. Here, this tree stood in the famous Kun Lun mountains. On this day that the fruit ripened, the Goddess of Heavn invited immortals to her palace for a feast. On this day, the Monkey called Sun, wondered into the garden and ate the peach. He later became an immortal because of this. Thus, the peach is associated with longeivity. 2. The colour of the skin of the peach also brings to mind `peach blossom spring'. Here, it is compared to the skin of a young girl. Some people associate it with a flirting or easy to b…

The Chinese bury their day on "Yang" days i.e. on odd numbered days e.g. 3 days after death, 5, 7, 9 days etc...

THE SWASTIKA SYMBOL IN Sanskrit LITERALLY MEANS: "TO BE GOOD". Thus for the last 3,000 years, it has been used by many culture as a symbol of "goodness". Erh.. guess which nation and person spoilt the image (goodness) of the Swastika? ACTUNG! HI HITLER!

Dear Anon, For those who are interested to learn about the Kings and Queens, can for example purchase or rent the show called " The Last Emperor ". I believe the lead actor is John Lone. This show traces the life of the Last Emperor of China. I believe the last king died sometime in 198x (correct me if I am wrong). When the last king set on the throne, he was only a boy. In fact contrary to popular belief, Empress Dowager, during his reign was running the Kingdom and managing the affairs. One reason why their is a rise and fall of empires is attributed to time dimension. A burial site may be auspicious at certain periods but become less auspicious in the next period. Simi…

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

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