Chinese Culture (General)

Dear Anon, Under symbolism, a `live' crab shape is auspicious because, it is alive i.e. vibrant and active. While a dead crab (fried or steamed) ie. turned Red, is already dead or no more `activity.' Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, The official Chinese site is: http://english.china.com/cdc/en/travel/0,1020,0,00.html Yes, tourists are allowed to visit China. In fact, China which has a 5,000 year culture is worth the visit if one is `young'. This is because, it is more advantages to visit China on `two feet' (or legs) than on a wheel chair as walking is part of the `thrill'. The only major complaint is the toilet facilites or `lack of it'. If one is interested one can visit Guilin, the beautiful landscapes where the Shapes and Form Feng Shui was said to have originated. There are many many more cultural and historical sites available... 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

Dear Anon, China is a very vast country and as many of the citizens are living in the country side, and agriculture is their stable, they are more inclinded to living a `clean' life. It is only in the cities or areas designated with factories that need more of these control. But, we seldom hear of the need for environmental protection as China is endowed with huge resources. For example, they have huge dams to generate electricity etc... In my opinion, I believe China can be considered a `peaceful' country also. It is more fearful of being exploited by foreigners. If one looks at the history of China, when the Qing Empire was ravaged with `foreigners' out to `exploit' th…

Dear Anon, In the past, arranged marriages are very common. Couples were even paired up as young as 12 years and below. From my personal opinion, I have seen many cases of arranged marriages that are successful. I have yet to see any ended in divorce (so far). Perhaps, because, divorce is a `taboo' and a `shame'. In the past, even if the wife was severely beaten or `ill' treated by (more so by their in-laws) she still patiently `waits' or attends to her husband. Nowadays, as more and more Chinese ladies enter the workforce, are pretty modernized and the divorce rate can match the statistics of any other western countries. More... For the Chinese, usually when the girl ma…

Dear Anon, Chinese food can be classified under Yin or Yang. This can even be further classified into one of the five elements based on taste. Generally, Yin foods are `softer' such as through boiling, steaming etc... Yang foods are fried etc... Chinese food especially in the rural areas are often preserved. For example, lettuce or cabbage is preserved for winter time. As food cannot be kept for too long without spoilage. Thus Chinese do have lots of preserved food such as Chinese susage, pork etc.... But this is not much a choice as food is scarce especially in the country side. This does not mean that they eat `preserved' food all the time. Only during the cold seasons…

Dear Anon, Yes, the foundation of Chinese belief is to take care of their elders. It is also due to `Confucianism' or teachings on respect for the elders. Thus `filial piety' is prevalent in Chinese society. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, Thus, when one is born, he/she is already 1 year old! In olden days, even now, we still consider ourselves + 1 to our birthday. But due to government reports and Identity cards etc... we have to show our true age (western age). No, this is not true. We are proud to celebrate birthdays. Especially of the elderly. For the elderly, special dishes especially in the restaurant include: 1. "Long noodles". Noodles that are long (uncut) as long as possible to signify longevity. 2. Peach shaped loaves of bread. It is common to find this bread served for an elder's birthday. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. China do have libraries, especially those in schools and universities. 2. Chinese literate and books are cheap and many. Usually, the books use cheaper quality paper. Books include romance, fairly tales, literature etc... Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. In my opinion, this may not be necessary true. (If we only look at the `western violin'). 2. The Chinese have many different `wind instruments' and in my opinion, the violin is more a `western' instruments. There are `Chinese violins' and need not be in the shape of the western violin or the material used. The Chinese also have a keyboard type wind instrument `Qin' with many strings and they use their fingers to play on. Much like a guitar but flat and more strings parallel to each other. Others include `Pipa' instruments. There are quite alot of CDs on music played on these instruments. Others include, instruments with snake skins and animaal hairs (strings…

Dear Anon, 1. You will be surprised to learn that smoking is a universal trend and it is very common to see Chinese smoke. 2. In the past, especially with the `poorer' Chinese, smoking is particularly prevalent. 3. Surprising, to this date, I have come across, many `old Chinese' especially males who continue to smoke right up to their 80s. Usually, they die of old age. But, sorry, I cannot confirm if they did die of cancer... 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. Please find pictures of a `small version' of the Chinese Abacus:- 2. The above is a small, abacus. There are larger ones. 3. Usually, they are made of wood. 4. What is the Chinese Abacus? It is a calculator. Where beads are moved up and down and by feel and looking at the beads, complex calculations are made. 6. An expert abacus user can easily calculate numbers faster than one can key in to a modern liquid display calculator. 7. Generally, one can say that the movement of the beads like the computer `bits' and `bytes' i.e. On and off system. 8. In fact, Singapore, introduced the abacus to the schools and this enable students to `fair' better at mathemat…

Dear Anon, The moon is important to the Chinese: 1. If we look carefully, it is the `second' half of the Yin and Yang "symbol". Where the moon represents Yin and the sun Yang. 2. Often in the past, when I was young my mum will say, the 15th day of Lunar month and out of curiosity, I would at the evening peer in the sky and true enough, it is the full moon. Thus, sometimes, when I do not `refer' to the Chinese calendar, one could easily tell when the 15th day of an " X month " roughly is. 3. Again, you are correct to say that the Chinese give a `lot of significance to the moon'. As many members have heard how often the word " Lunar Calendar " has been uttered. 4. The " Lun…

Dear Anon, 1. The Chinese are very particular about phonetics or `sound like.. '. 2. For example, the Chinese dialect group: Cantonese, do not like number 4 because, to them it is `die'. 3. While number 8 to that is `Fatt' or prospher. 4. Unfortunately, the Chinese phonetic meaning for butterfly implies a person in his seventies. Which means `old age' or about to die. Warmest Regards, Cecil

Dear Anon, 1. From my personal understanding, it is because of the thorns on stalk rose. 2. It would be different if there are no thorns on the rose. 3. Thus, it is more a belief that what can be worse than to give someone thorns. 4. On this same subject (Chinese belief), it is considered inauspicious to present your Chinese friend with either a CLOCK or give her a pair of shoes, also. So for those who are giving `home warming' gifts, avoid Para 4. Warmest Regards, Cecil

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, Like all other races, celebrations depends very much on the `class' of a person. Such as the lower-income, the middle-income, the rich and the very rich. Unfortuantely it is a fact that each `class' has its ability to celebrate weddings differently. some middle class may resort to borrowing to come to the same level of the rich etc... Although we do not like to bring the subject of `class', this would affect the scope of celebrations. 1. In the past, many Chinese weddings are conducted as a group wedding. This is cheaper due to economies of scale and widely practised there. 2. Overseas Chinese prefer: 2.1. If they are Chinese Christians, may hold their weddings…

Dear Anon, 1. Most companies in China depending on their origin either has a 5 1/2 or 5 day work week. 2. Usually, the Multi national companies, offer 5 day work week. But some have gone into alternate Saturday offs. 3. It would be interesting to note, prior to China opening up their economies, some Chinese firms or companies have long lunch breaks as long as 2 hours. 4. Where, like the Mexicans, the employees get to sleep during the lunch hours! Usually, this is not often the case in the cities. But in rural China, it is still much the practise. Thus, this would be a culture shock for busy executives who intend to shift their operations to China at one time. 5. A few st…

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. 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…

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

Dear Anon, Check out this link to view the pictures of the God of Wealth (commonly also known as God of Fortune). http://www.geomancy.net/pics/teacups/index.htm For those who are new here, if you have the time, feel free to browse thru the pictures under: http://www.geomancy.net/slideshow/index.htm Warmest Regards, Cecil

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, One can still generally apply the concept: "If one cannot see it, it no longer becomes a threat." The earlier `issue' was torns on the stalk of rose or the saying goes, "a rose amongst the thorns or a thorn amongst the rose?" Usually, if it is just roses etc.. this would be acceptable. More so if the rose is red. Red is considered an auspicious colour to the Chinese. Thus, there should not be an issue here. Warmest Regards, Cecil