Chinese Culture (General)

QUOTE: China's banks: `The fish always stinks from the head' China's chief banking regulator Liu Ming-Kang has a folksy way of explaining his work. "The fish always stinks from the head" is a favourite. This belief that regulation must focus on banks' head offices can be seen in China's zeal to enforce the Basel III rules. While there is talk in the United States and Eurpoe of easing the lquidity rules, the China Banking Regulatory Commission has been pushing ahead with a set of rules that is stricter in definitions than what has been agreed internationally...... -- UNQUOTE -- This reminds me of the same way Geomancer's view the "Head of the House" or rather; th…

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".

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).

The eight sided lantern hung in a commercial (restaurant) at West Coast Plaza (formerly Ginza Plaza)

First foray of getai shows in Orchard Road, Singapore.

Jaw-dropping snap Relax, there's no need to snatch this child out of the jaws of death. She is just lying on a 3-D pavement artwork featuring a shark, while posing for a photograph inside a shopping mall in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on Sunday. PHOTO REUTERS

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.

Thanks Master :-)

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

SOURCE & CREDIT: THE STRAITS TIMES, MONDAY, MARCH 21 2011 Honouring Lao Tzu Taoist priests attending a memorial ceremony for the 2,582nd anniversary of the birth of Taoism founder Lao Tzu at Tianjing Palace, or the Heavenly Peace Palance, in Woyang county, in eastern China's Anhui province, last Saturday. Lao Tzu is best known as the authoer of the classical Taoist text; the Tao Te CHing. The Heavenly Peace Palace in Woyang was the birthplace of the Chinese philosopher. PHOTO XINHUA

This is pre-CNY (Chinese New Year) period. Took photos of this very useful guide to the names and photos of plants. Don't know who owns the chart but it seems; Giant always bring out this chart, yearly. So I guess the copyright belongs to them. Source and Credit: Location: Giant Hypermart, Tampines Ave 10; Singapore.

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?

Sights of CNY 2011, gone past...

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...

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. "

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

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

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

Under the Chinese Horoscope (zodiac signs); the pig's worst pairing is with the snake!