Chinese Culture (General)

Finally; last Sunday morning at around 7am; finally "caught" this "uncle" again maintaining the altar at this coffee-shop in Hougang Green Shopping Centre. I now have a face to the hardworking "uncle"! For sure, he has a unique set of hair! Hmm reminds me of baby children who constantly sleeps on a pillow. That's why, most likely he shares the same traits; he could have rubbed part of his head against pillow; causing the "baldness" at certain areas!

Often, the only time one finds pink coloured pineapples is during Chinese New Year (CNY). As RED (pink) is considered an auspicious colour...

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.

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…

Thanks. You saved me a third trip to the temple. As I am a Rooster, I will pray on or after the 15th Lunar New Year.

The days of sending traditional Chinese postcards are nearing it's end... From now onwards, on Chinese New Year (CNY); I will continue to document a collection of auspicious CNY SMS-greetings...

An interesting article, showcasing some traditions and customs...

Mother of all Jade: Pure white Jade or known as "Imperial Gem"

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!

SOURCE & CREDIT: THE STRAITS TIMES, SINGAPORE, SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2011 Potted beauties Pots of kumquats, pussy willows and chrysanthemums - Chinese New Year would not be complete without them. 1. Crinum superbum also known as the Fa Cai Suan. Fa cai means getting rich in Mandarin, while suan, meaning count, also refers to how its stems resembles that of a leek, which has the same sounding name. Unlike the leek, this is not edible. 2. Hoya Multifora: Gardeners nickname this nian nian you yu, as its flowers appear like yu or fish in Mandarin. Nian nian you yu is a Chinese idiom, meaning having surpluses every year. 3. Ardisia crenata: An evergreen shrub with dark g…

Source & Credit: MyPaper, Singapore Monday, January 17, 2011 Extracts: ONE: "Education thrives in China and the rest of Asia because it is a top priority - and the US has plenty to learn from that." TWO: "Americans think of China's strategic challenge in terms of, say, the new Chinese stealth fighter jet. But the real challenge is the rise of China's education system and the passion for learning that underlies it. We are not going to become Confucians, but we can elevate education on our list of priorities without relinquishing creativity and independent thought. That's what we did in 1957 after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik. "

Yes! We are BRITISH! And not Chinese! So why are you still hanging the PROSPERITY sign upside down? COPY CAT!

Chinese weddings become infused with Western traditions, traditional Western wedding gifts are more acceptable than before though the couple will rarely have a registry or release a list of wanted gifts. Be careful when selecting a gift and beware of what not to buy.

Some business prosper during the Chinese 7th month...

First foray of getai shows in Orchard Road, Singapore.

Winding paths may seem illogical to some individuals due to the slightly longer route they create. However, the main intention behind these paths is to encourage a slower walking pace, as well as to align with the Chinese belief that spirits cannot navigate through winding routes.

This is the most colourful Qilin, one could get...

In one of Bruce Lee's film... he was outside a building and he kicked and destroyed a sign that says " Dogs and Chinese"....

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…

A child gets a haircut at a barbershop in Heifei, Anhui provicne, China yesterday. It is believed to bring luck when one gets a hair-cut during the second day of the second Chinese lunar month, which falls on March 17 this year. (REUTERS)

Nowadays, offerings on Qing Ming includes:- Source and Credit: REUTERS Paper replicas of first-generation iPads and iPhones sit on a shelf among other electronic gadgets for sale for the Chinese Qingming festival or Ancestors Day at a prayer supplies shop in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Ethnic Chinese flock to cemetries during Qingming Festival and honour the dead by offering prayers, food, tea, wine, as well as paper replicas of bungalows, flashy cars, technological gadgets and Louis Vuitton bags, for their dead to enjoy in the afterlife. REUTERS

1. This lady warrior is wearing a majestic Dragon Chinese Opera Costume. 2. Can you see the dragon's face near her lower abdomen area? 3. This photo was taken sometime in the 1950's in Penang, West Malaysia. 4. What a pity if the photo was in colour! Wow... Truly majestic .... and beautiful handcrafted piece!

Additional photos of the Phoo Thor Jee Temple in2011.... Gone are the multiples of Lion statues at the front gate and more within the compound of the temple. Can you see the difference in the 2010 (frontage) photo and that of the 2011?

How to earn pocket change during Chinese New Year! 1. The ingredients:- 1.1. Fixed assets: a Chinese drum and several other musical instruments. 1.2. A full Lion head and costume and some flags 1.3. Gather a group of family members and friends: usually 5 to 6 persons 1.4. Provide them standard co-ordinated performing uniform (prior to this : best that they are all Chinese (or Chinese look); two members must know how to do a lion dance or the motion of the lion dance. Two or three members must know how to play the drum and other nosiy instruments 1.4. Loan or rent a panel van. 2. Go around Singapore e.g. Dry and Wet Markets (to each individual stalls) by getting t…

The picture shows a variety of incense burning containers found outside the main door of many Chinese homes. These incense burning containers are to contain paper offerings to the GODs especially during every 1st and 15th day of each lunar month (full moon days)...