Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, I have posted a series of auspicious Chinese borders (patterns). These can be found under the conference: Photo Tours with Interest. Warmest Regards, Cecil

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

[Based on recent photos of a temple, under the Conference: Photo Tours of Interest] Dear Anon, 1. It is very common to find "twin dragons" on top of the Chinese temple roofs. Quite often it comes in a pair. At each edge of the roof, one can also find a dragon on top of it. 2. A pagoda is another auspicious object of display. In my opinon, the two dragons `looking' at the pagoda, are just decorative pieces. As we are aware, each has its own significance and on their own. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, It is without doubt that Red is always a colour associated with auspiciousness. Red is associated with the double happiness symbol (in red), Chinese new year, red fire crackers, red paper envelopes. Red banners over the main entrance of new homes, and during Chinese new year. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why red bats are considered auspicious as compared to black ones. Even temple doors are in red and many Chinese restaurants have red carpet and red main entrances, and red pillars. Practically, the decor is in auspicious red. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, In a recent documentary on Chinese law being carried out on TV, I was trying to see if there were any Chinese Judge or Lawyer. So far, I was not able to sight a woman as a Judge or a lawyer in the episode. In this episode, I saw cases of Chinese citizens been tried. For example, this person who stole a notebook computer from his multinational company. He later confessed and pleaded guilty. He was sent to three years jail for the offence. I believe, looking thru the episode, and did not recall seeing a women in such a prominent role as a Judge or Lawyer. But Chinese women do play a significant influence (some include) the notorious Chinese Empress Dowager. Eve…

Dear Anon, China is one of the four countries with an ancient history which started at least 5,000 years ago, there are many famous poets. In fact, there is an ancient "Book of Songs" besides other ancient books. Chinese scholars in the past are both skilled at poetry and calligraphy. Some of the works and poetry verses are still available today. As for comedy, I am not too sure, but I believe the recent spin off of the term `double talk' is part of this comedy plays in ancient times. This is where two persons talk in `harmony' and create laughter with the audience. As for communist China, during this period of the `cultural revolution' unfortunately, I believe, this is i…

Dear Anon, This is a `difficult' question to answer. Because, there are quite alot of Chinese scattered all over China and in the world. For those who live in rural China, and poorer, they are closer to nature so, they most likely live off the land. For those who are in cities and overseas Chinese, I believe, it is the same as any other cities elsewhere. But if your definition of recyling means having separate bins for can drinks, papers etc.. I personally do not see this happening around even in my country. I recently saw a TV documentary where even in an English school, the students were told to separate their garbage i.e. place into different waste bins. The students…

Dear Anon, In the past, countries especially in South East Asia banned their citizens from travelling to China and other communist states. For example our passports (Singapore) were chopped with a list of countries that we were not allowed to visit. The passport that I am holding issued in August 1991 had this statement printed: "This passport is valid for all countries except the following unless otherwise endorsed: Peoples Republic of China, North Korea, Democartic Kampuchea, Laos, Socialist Republic of Vietnam ". Not long after (1992) onwards, Singaporeans no longer need `approval' to visit China. In the past, our government `feared' the influence of communism and sinc…

Dear Anon In my opinion, Bonsai or the art of Bonsai cultivation originated from Japan rather than in China. This would largely explain why, you do not see Chinese people displaying them. Another reason is because, many rich Chinese do not have the time to tend to these plants as some of them need lots of attention i.e. trimming of leaves and even reforming them by using metal strips to twist and turn the trunks. Many of the older Chinese, or those who have free time or love to cultivate bonsai plants would tend to them. Warmest Regards, Cecil

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…

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

Dear Anon, Since we are on this topic, I took the opportunity to scan a recent article that there is an estimated 53 million one child family in China today. The article narrate and called these one child `little emperors'. You can read about this article under the conference: Photo tours of Interest. As for your question below, if the couple gets pregnant, they would usually have to go for an abortion. Usually, they would first practise contraception first. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, For the Chinese (local - China) and overseas Chinese, there is the pressure not so much of just having a baby but rather a baby son. Chinese value highly a baby son because only a son can carry their family name through to the next generation. For example, Mr Tan would like his surname to be `carried' to his next generation. Only if he has a son, his surname Tan can be `happy' as his son will also adopt his surname Tan. If he has a daughter, and if his daughter marrys a man, if the man's surname is Wong, she comes Mrs Wong. There are many situations where Chinese man were `forced' to take up a second wife or due to family pressure, marry another in the hope tha…