In China, the Chinese New Year is an extravagant festival. Most of China’s billion people celebrate the new year. The Chinese people believe that the next year heralds a fresh start. They celebrate the festival of Nián Jié to welcome change for the succeeding year. It is a fifteen day festival to commemorate the end of the year. In essence, the Chinese New Year allows for a fresh start to a new year. Preparing for the new year is an important task which allows for a renewed start to the new year. The new year is an important festival. As a result, businesses often rush to sell off their inventories before the new year. The government also prepares to stabilize prices to ensure that everyone can have a joyous new year. Finally, at the individual …show more content…
All of this takes place during the fifteenth and final day of the Chinese New Year, called the Yuanxiao festival. However, it is more commonly called the lantern festival. Fireworks are lighted, and used to scare off the last of the evil spirits. Also, an red ornate lantern is made and floats to the heavens. The lanterns are lit with a brilliant fire to represent vitality and passion for the next year. they are then floated away to represent a new life. This process lifts the person’s soul to a higher plane of existence as well, and creates a new person for the new year. Of course the worship of the gods is still very important in this festival. The Jade emperor began to burn down cities but this festival dissuaded him. People offer prayers to him during this festival. The god of wisdom,Laozi, is very important as well, people write riddles on the paper lanterns as a fun way to honor him.This festival is also an important time to spend with family. During the festival a beautiful silver new moon is visible. This represents a new life and time with family. The last big feast with family takes place during this festival as well. Additionally, to embrace this new life, couples elope under the new moon, romantically watching the paper lanterns fly. After this the Chinese New Year is over, and they tear down all of the items that relate to the festival. Everyone returns to their ordinary lives, one year
The United States gives Columbus a national holiday, Zheng He should deserve a national holiday as well. He was kidnapped at the age of ten by the Ming Dynasty, and had to watch as his father died. He was taken prisoner and became an eunuch who eventually rose to power. The Emperor Yongle rewarded his loyalty by electing him as the fleet commander and eventually went on 7 voyages all around Asia, India, and eastern Africa in the next 28 years. Using the measuring sticks of scale/size, significance, and skill, should we commemorate the voyages of Zheng He? We should recognize the voyages of Zheng He for the 3 major reasons, the incredible distances/destinations traveled, the amazing size/scale of the ships, and the honorary purpose of many of the expeditions.
“The Death of Woman Wang”, written by Chinese historian Jonathan Spence, is a book recounting the harsh realities facing citizens of Tancheng country, Shandong Province, Qing controlled China in the late 17th century. Using various primary sources, Spence describes some of the hardships and sorrow that the people of Tancheng faced. From natural disasters, poor leadership, banditry, and invasions, the citizens of Tancheng struggled to survive in a devastated and changing world around them. On its own, “Woman Wang” is an insightful snapshot of one of the worst-off counties in imperial Qing China, however when taking a step back and weaving in an understanding of long held Chinese traditions, there is a greater understanding what happened in
Chapter one, The Observers, in the Death of Woman Wang demonstrates the accuracy of the local historian; Feng K'o-ts'an, who compiled The Local History of T'an-ch'eng in 1673. The descriptive context of the Local History helps the reader to understand and literally penetrate into people's lives. The use of records of the earthquake of 1668, the White Lotus rising of 1622 and rebels rising vividly described by Feng the extent of suffering the people of T'an-ch'eng went through. Jonathan Spence stresses on how miserable the two-quarter of the seventeen-century were to the diminishing population of the county. The earthquake claimed the lives of nine thousand people, many others died in the White lotus rising, hunger, sickness and banditry. P'u Sung-ling's stories convey that after the loss of the wheat crops there were cases of cannibalism. On top of all of this came the slaughtering of the entire family lines by the bandits. The incredible records of women like Yao and Sun in the Local History present the reader the magnitude of savagery the bandits possessed. All of these factors led to the rise of suicides. The clarity of events Spence given to the reader is overwhelming.
Vietnamese festival for celebrating the lunar New Year. On the first day of the festival,
The Cultural Revolution in China was led by Mao Zedong, due to this Liang and many others faced overwhelming obstacles in many aspects of their life such as work, family and everyday encounters, if affected everyone’s families life and education, Liang lets us experience his everyday struggles during this era, where the government determined almost every aspect of life. The beginning of the book starts out with Liang’s typical life, which seems normal, he has a family which consists of three children, two older sisters and him the youngest, his two sister’s reside in Changsha 1. his father has an everyday occupation working as a journalist at a local newspaper. Things start to take a turn early in life for Liang Heng, his family politics were always questioned, the mistake made by one of his family members would impact his entire family and it would be something they would have to suffer through, it was impossible for them to live down such a sin.... ...
Cao Xueqin’s Story of the Stone is a classic in Chinese literature, showcasing the life and exploits of the wealthy Jia clan during the feudal era. Through Cao’s depiction, the reader is afforded a glimpse into the customs and lifestyle of the time. Chinese mode of thought is depicted as it occurred in daily life, with the coexisting beliefs of Confucianism and Taoism. While the positive aspects of both ideologies are presented, Cao ultimately depicts Taoism as the paramount, essential system of belief that guides the character Bao-yu to his eventual enlightenment.
China has seen many changes throughout the course of their development, yet one aspect about their culture has tended to see continuity over the centuries. The practice of ancestor veneration has been present for thousands of years in Chinese culture. Looking at this single theme from China in 1600 compared to earlier periods, it is not hard to see that China has seen great continuity when it comes to honoring their ancestors. Religion, politics, and the economics of China may have changed over the years, but ancestor veneration has persisted and has even been shaped by these aspects.
The Cultural Revolution was a revolution that had happened between 1966 and 1976 and had a great impact on China. The Cultural Revolution used to be known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution but was changed after many years. The main goal of this Revolution was to preserve true communist mainly in China by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. It was also used to re-impose Maoist which was thought as the dominant ideology within the Party. The Cultural Revolution was basically a sociopolitical movement. But it was mainly for the return of the leader, Mao Zedong, who was the leader of the revolution on and off. Which had led him to a position of power after the Great Leap Forward which paralyzed
From traumatic childhoods in China affecting their parental styles now to losing a loved one. This book shows a great example of culture. I liked learning more about the Asian culture while being entertained by the stories that kept the book going. For example, An-Mei, Lindo, Ying-ying tell traumatic stories of their childhood while being raised and living in China.Witnessing someone cut flesh as a home remedy to cure a sickness is not the average thing to do. The book almost made it feel like you were in the there inside the story by the structure of how it was
The celebration of a young man entering the adult life is also celebrated within Confucianism. Because the ancestors have such a large importance in Confucian traditions, this family ritual is seen as the presentation of the youth to his ancestors (Oxtoby and Segal 463). Often held for a young man between the ages of fifteen and twenty, this ‘capping’ c...
There is dancing and celebration all around from day seven through the fifteenth day. Different activities such as lion dancing, dragon lantern dancing, and temple fairs that have been going on since the beginning are often bigger and more celebrated on the final day. The last day is finished with a lantern festival. The lantern festival and the whole Spring Festival is scheduled so that the fifteenth day is on the day of a first full moon. This marks the return of spring and symbolizes the reunion of family ("China 's Lantern Festival."). On this night you can find parades of lion dances, dragon dances, and stilt walkers while enjoying eating tangyuan as fireworks go off overhead. Lion dances consists of two people in a lion suit. Ancient people believed that a lion is a symbol of bravery and strength, and thought it would drive away evil and protect people ("China 's Lantern Festival."). The lanterns are various shapes and sizes from traditional globes to fish and goats. These are everywhere including inside homes, businesses, and in the streets and parks. Some lanterns have riddles attached to them. If a child thinks they know the answer they may take the riddle to the owner and if they are right, get a prize ("China 's Lantern
The Chinese believed in the idea called the Mandate of Heaven, it was an idea that each ruler of ancient china was chosen by god. The people of China thought that if a person was king, they were fit for the job since they were chosen by God. A ritual the people believed in was the oracle bones. Oracle bones were a way for the king to find out if he was doing a good job or if an idea he had was a good one. These symbolized the desire for control, this helps the kings control their lives and the kingdom’s. Another ritual the Chinese believed in was the veneration of ancestors. They venerated their ancestor to honor and remember them and because they can help you succeed in life. The Chinese people thought that living on forever was a good thing and were positive about life in
Standing atop the highest peak of the Great Wall in Beijing, China after nearly two hours of climbing up the uneven, ancient stairs, I couldn’t help but to think about my life and all the decisions I have made thus far. Drenched in sweat and gasping for breath through the thick, heavy, polluted air, I stood quietly in amazement. I was not only speechless because I had actually braved the nearly 7-mile climb but also because of the picturesque landscape that surrounded me. “I did it!” I thought to myself, “I actually did it!” I closed my eyes and fought back tears of joy.
Belgium - Belgians hold New Year’s celebration in all large cities on January 1st. They are followed by fireworks displays.
Chinese New Year is the most widely celebrated tradition in Asia. The tradition is usually celebrated on the first day of the first month on the Chinese Lunar calendar. This tradition is rooted in centuries-old customs and is one of the most popular public holidays in China. Apart from China, this tradition is also celebrated in many Asian countries like Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan. There are many values and rituals tied with this tradition. For example, people would wear red clothing, decorate the house with red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. According to legend, it is said that red can drive away bad luck, which is why the color red is highly emphasized. In myths, our ancestors would light bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would scare off evil spirits. This is why fireworks and firecrackers are set off during this special tradition. Other values and traditions during Chinese New Year dinner such as eating specific dishes during the New Years Eve Dinner, exchanging red envelopes, and cleaning the house. These traditions all emphasize one value: the importance of family reunion during Chinese New Year. Family reunion is essential because it is a time to interact with family and friends who often times do not live nearby. Family and relatives will plan their schedules around Chinese New Year dinner, instead of taking family for granted. Adults also teach children important tradition and lessons during Chinese New Year so that when they grow older, they would continue this tradition with their families.