General Chinese Culture http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:40:51 +0000 60 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34556-why-cant-you-burn-paper-food-for-ancestors/
If the spirits can just come and absorb the essence of the food (which is what I've been told happens since obviously the food doesn't go anywhere) then why can't we just lay out real money and let them absorb the essence of that? It all seems inconsistent.]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 05:40:51 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34556-why-cant-you-burn-paper-food-for-ancestors/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34547-chinese-culture-with-taiwanese-characteristics/
Unlike the Pro-Taiwan Independence-seeking DPP who ruled Taiwan from 2000-2008, Taiwanese President Ma Ying Jeu reversed the cultural policy of ROC back to an emphasis on Chinese culture as well as multi-culturalism. The Taiwanization of Taiwan, which took place in the 1990s and from 2000-2008, was a local cultural movement in Taiwan to restore, develop various cultures such as Hoklo (Hokkien), Hakka and Taiwanese aborigines culture, as well as to create a Taiwanese identity. However, the Taiwanization had been harshly criticized to be a political tool used by Pro-Taiwan independence-seeking politicians as a way to separate "Chinese identity" from Taiwan, or somewhat as a de-sinicization program for the goal of seeking Taiwan's independence from China.

Ironically however, Taiwan's local culture movement had sinicized Taiwan further, as Hoklo (Hokkien), Hakka or Aborigines culture were no longer "suppressed" and gave way to freedom of expression and development. They helped to preserve these local cultures in Taiwan. Hoklo, Hakka and aborigine cultures are now flourishing in Taiwan, marked by literary movements in Taiwan, the teaching of these languages in schools and a booming pop culture from these languages. Chinese Classics reading in Hoklo, Hakka dialects are gaining more momentum.

Some people wondered whether DPP's ''desinicization" had affected Taiwan. Actually, on the whole, I would say no. It only scratches the surface, but Taiwan still preserves the best and most complete Chinese culture in the world. The Culture depth of Taiwan has not been affected.

Actually, from what I understand, President Ma wants to be a "Cultural President". When he mentioned about Taiwan having developed a Chinese culture with "Taiwanese" characteristics, it's a smart use of rhetoric to pacify those Pro-Taiwan independence supporters, yet at same time re-emphasizing Chinese culture. It's equivalent to Deng Xiaopeng in PRC who mentioned about "Socialism with Chinese characteristics" (to pacify those who are opposed to capitalist reform).

I posted a thread about a talk by Taiwanese President Ma Ying Jeu who mentioned about the Cultural Superiority of Traditional Chinese :

http://www.chinahist...ese-characters/

That view hinted Taiwan's cultural policy to a certain extent. It's an indirect way of saying Taiwan's Chinese cultural superiority over mainland China and that Taiwan represents the "orthodox" Chinese culture. KMT sees itself as a guardian of Chinese culture, and clearly this has impacted mainland China. That policy underlies that mainland China has thrown away its Chinese culture, only to find the orthodox Chinese culture in Taiwan and now mainland China wants it back. It's a clear policy intending to influence PRC's cultural development.

From what I know, PRC started adopting Taiwan's textbook on Chinese culture, which had teaching on Analects, Mencius, Doctrine of Mean and Great Learning. Chinese culture exchange between mainland China and Taiwan is likely to rise and Taiwan will be playing an important influential role on the rebuilding of Chinese culture in mainland China.

What do you think?]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:31:12 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34547-chinese-culture-with-taiwanese-characteristics/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34523-is-cultural-revolution-a-form-of-desinicization/
Some Chinese scholars had argued that Cultural revolution is considered to be a form of de-sinicization. The implantation of Marxist thoughts instead of traditional Chinese thoughts is a way of altering "Chinese culture".

What do you think? Is Cultural revolution a form of de-sinicization?]]> Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:02:20 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34523-is-cultural-revolution-a-form-of-desinicization/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34370-chinese-dance/
Chinese dance dates back nearly 5,000 years. As in many cultures around the world, early Chinese dances were a religious expression and closely linked to life experiences and concerns. The Chinese dances can be divided into (1) Ceremonial; for praying to the gods for bountiful harvests, (2) Martial; for showing fighting techniques, (3) Dramatic; for noting historical events, and (4) Agricultural; for celebrating nature and work. For thousands of years, each Chinese dance was unique to the village or group that developed it. There were 50 different ethnic groups in China who each developed their own dances. The dances were not centralized or recorded until the Han dynasty, which ruled from 206 B.C. until 220 A.D. During the Han dynasty, the imperial family established a musical court that served to bring all of the dances to one place where they could be documented. Over the years, simple Chinese folk dances developed into intricate and beautiful performance pieces that are still performed by Chinese groups worldwide.

In Chinese culture, dance is a way to express not only personal emotions and feelings but also the character of the nation. The choreographer, through demonstrations by the dancers, expresses his or her realm of thinking. That's why the combination of forms and movements, also called body techniques, and the dancer's inner world all affect the inner meaning transmitted. Most people use sound to communicate in their everyday life, but a dancer on stage uses his limbs and body to do the same thing. Just like the Chinese language, Chinese dance has its own unique vocabulary, semantics, and syntactic structure that enable a dancer on stage to fully express his thoughts and feelings with ease and grace.

The development of Chinese dance has taken on a dynamic and multifaceted personality. Young people going into dance usually first study ballet and modern dance, then go back to take a fresh look at traditional Chinese dance. From there they seek out new directions for Chinese style body expression with an open mind and spirit of experimentation. Since about 1970, original and unique compositions have occasioned a renaissance in Chinese dance. The long and varied history of Chinese dance gave it diversity of movement, refinement of form, and richness of character. Since Chinese dance was developed through a number of dynasties and social environments, it has been able to depict multiple nationalities, social classes, time periods, and personalities. Elements of any ethnic background can be included and interpreted by Chinese dance, and fully demonstrated.

Today Chinese dance is still practised in China and throughout the world. There are many variations including; Chinese Ribbon Dance, Chinese Silk Fan Dance, Chinese Round Fan Dance, Chinese Feather Fan Dance, Chinese Classical Dance, Chinese Sword Dance, Chinese Long Sleeve Dance, Chinese Waist Drum Dance, Chinese Lion Dance & Chinese Dragon Dance. Each dance has Its own origin and history. They are all very different in style, very beautiful and capture the essence of Chinese culture. These dances are still being performed today and they will certainly be performed in the future!

For more information on Chinese Dance Workshops please visit:
http://www.chinesedanceruk.com
]]> Sat, 31 Jul 2010 10:11:55 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34370-chinese-dance/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34334-gifts-to-be-avoided-in-chinese-etiquette/
I think, I'll list down the following gifts to be avoided. Make sure you know them...

The following gifts should be avoided at all times esp. when giving to a Chinese.

1. handkerchief
The Hokkien has a funeral custom: 送巾断根 (giving a handkerchief as a gift will cut off your roots). Handkerchief is a symbol that you will be parted forever.

2. Fan
The Chinese word for fan 扇 sounds like "散" (disperse). Thus fan is a reminder that you will be dispersed or separated.

3. Umbrella
Similar to fan 扇, the Chinese word for umbrella 伞 sounds like "散" (disperse) and can mean separation. Also, the Hokkien word for umbrella is "ho sua 雨伞" which sounds like "给散 ho sua" (giving it to be dispersed).

4. Clock
The Chinese word for sending clock "送钟" sounds like "送终" (sending the deceased/dead people). It means sending someone to death and can be inauspicious.

5. Shoes
Shoe is a reminder of walking 走路, and asking someone to walk in Chinese means "asking someone to leave". This can be a cultural taboo.

6. Sharp instruments, knives and scissors
Sending a knife, cutter or scissor has a feeling of 'seeking revenge'. It should be avoided.

What do you think?]]> Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:24:21 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34334-gifts-to-be-avoided-in-chinese-etiquette/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34247-aladdin-was-a-chinese-not-an-arabian/
I found out that Aladdin was actually a Chinese and the story was set in China (instead of in Arabia)..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aladdin

What do you think about this?]]> Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:42:14 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34247-aladdin-was-a-chinese-not-an-arabian/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34234-is-china-a-dragon-and-serpent-based-culture/ Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:58:00 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34234-is-china-a-dragon-and-serpent-based-culture/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34233-chinese-age-of-discovery-focused-on-arts/ Journey to the West, Outlaws of the Marsh, Romance of Three Kingdoms, and The Red Chamber Dream). This created a huge market in the Western world for Chinese arts and vases, furniture, as well as spices and other goods. However, because of the focus on the arts, China's technology and science did not develop as well. This compares with present day when there's a greater emphasis and appreciation of the arts in the Western countries as opposed to the Eastern countries like China and Japan, who seem to place more emphasis on math and science education. Somehow history is seeing a reversal of trends. However, for any research in technology or science, a great deal of energy is needed, and China is just beginning to tackle its huge appetite for energy resources, which has the potential to create global conflicts if not resolved.]]> Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:45:17 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34233-chinese-age-of-discovery-focused-on-arts/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34232-chinese-age-of-discovery-centered-on-friendship/ Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:31:46 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34232-chinese-age-of-discovery-centered-on-friendship/ http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34203-is-gambling-a-part-of-chinese-culture/
Is gambling a part of Chinese culture?
Such statement by him, is it considered to be very rude? (a crying shame for the Chinese/disrespectful)]]> Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:34:41 +0000 http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?/topic/34203-is-gambling-a-part-of-chinese-culture/