The History and Development of Chinese Lanterns
Chinese lanterns are the traditional culture of China and have long history over thousand years. Lanterns are hung outside each house to celebrate when some important festivals come, and in the ancient time Chinese people also use the lanterns for lighting because of lacking of the high technology on electricity. Travelers visiting the three gateways of China – Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong are often dazzled by the neon lights and breathtaking skylines. But carefully peel away the glass-and-chrome veneer you discover another image synonymous with China: a cheery, red, round paper lantern (deng). With its sacred vermilion hue and the lucky roundness of yuan, the Chinese lantern symbolizes long life and is the supreme totem of good luck.
China’s paper lanterns are more than just decorations; since 250 B.C. they have silently spoken of births, deaths, social status and approaching danger. Since red connotes vitality and energy at its maximal state, a red lantern placed outside a doorway tells of a birth or marriage. Originating as far back as 250 B.C., the basic Chinese lantern has remained unchanged in design. The sleeve or frame that surrounds the candle is assembled from pliable bamboo, sturdy redwood or inexpensive wire. To soften the harsh light of a naked flame, thin or oiled paper, gauze or silk fabric covers the frame to create the familiar flattering, soft glow. In contrast to the simplicity of the standard spherical lantern, the zouma deng (走马灯 zǒu mǎ dēnɡ, trotting horse lamp) lantern was designed during the Song dynasty (960-1279), an era of innovation that included developments in type printing, gunpowder and paper currency. The zouma deng resembles a miniature pavilion with upturned eaves. An inner wire shaft is fitted with paper vanes, and the heat current generated from the flame rotates the shaft, setting a paper cutout in a charming merry-go-round motion, hence the name, since zouma deng means “roundabout.”
The lantern played an important role in military communications, particularly when the Chinese Empire was divided into three warring kingdoms. The Chinese historical tome Romance of the Three Kingdoms, set during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 220), describes how the respected military strategist and war hero Zhuge Liang (nicknamed Kung Ming, 诸葛亮Zhūɡě Liànɡ) made a special lantern designed to alert neighboring ally cities of approaching attack or danger. A strip of kerosene-soused cloth or paper was ignited and placed inside a lamp that floated upward into the night sky.
In times of peace, the size and elevation of lanterns hanging outside houses indicated social status in Chinese society. To show off wealth, Chinese elite hung lanterns made of silk velvet from second-floor balconies and verandas. Lanterns belonging to the rich were so large that they required several men with poles to hang them.
Subsequently, paper alone was used to make decorative lanterns. Paper lanterns are fashioned in a myriad of shapes and sizes, from crepe paper rabbits and fish to cellophane birds and planes with glitter-covered wings. Another change to the traditional Chinese lantern is the introduction of battery-operated candles taking the place of lit candles.
They are crystallizations of Chinese wisdom and have the characters on high value of art, flowing lines, rich structure. What’s more, some lanterns not only have elegant lines and engraved designs, but also were decorated with Chinese characters, portraits of historic figures, pictures of the divinities of some legends, and the landscape of China, which perfectly blend the nature with the humanistic ideas and thus vividly reflect the high level of civilization of the society at that time. Chinese lanterns can not only give people attractive visual effects but ignite the people’s good wishes for life.
According to the Chinese calendar, the 15th night of the eighth month (usually in September or October) is the Mid-Autumn Festival. The tradition of Mid-Autumn Festival paper lanterns is said to date back to the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618 to A.D. 907), when an emperor commissioned the construction of 30 enormous lantern-towers, each 1,500 feet high, and ornately decorated with gold, silver, jade and precious gems. While most people could not replicate such elaborate lanterns, the lantern tradition took hold in the form of transparent paper on thin silk.
On the 15th day of the Chinese New Year (calculated according to the lunar calendar, and usually falling in January or February), people celebrate the Lantern Festival, a colorful way to mark the formal completion of the new year festivities and to light the way into spring and a new year. Even the rural countryside gets in on the act with the lighting of hundreds of homespun lanterns strung across streets and on homes, appearing from afar like tiny galaxies. The Lantern Festival traditionally includes display of beautifully crafted paper lanterns, often made in the shapes of Chinese zodiac signs, as well as lions, dragons and other popular symbols of good fortune. Sometimes lanterns include riddles written on attached strips of paper. Small prizes are awarded to the successful riddle solvers. This was originally a practice whereby scholars could prove how knowledgeable they were, but it has become a popular practice for anyone to try.
The enduring symbol of good fortune and prosperity as it flickers and survives another century of Chinese history.
Tags: Chinese culture, Development of Chinese Lanterns, History of Chinese LanternsWhy the Handicraft Art is So Popular In the world?
Straw Plaiting, as a widely popular folk art and craft, is produced by using of the different straw with flexibility quality. The materials grow broadly and easy to get and make, and people usually like to weave variety daily necessities with these convenient materials, such as baskets, cup sets, boxes, hats, slippers, pillows, petates and so on. Some are weaved to different patterns with the pre-stained straw, and some are decorated to different designs after weaved. In a word, this kind of art is not only economical and practical, but very beautiful for people.
Straw Plaiting art has a long history. The earliest straw plaiting product we could see currently in China is made by Hemudu people who lived about 7000 years ago, and it is developing gradually until now. It is also popular in other countries.
Maybe hundreds or thousands years ago, people weaved variety straw plaiting products that mainly for daily use, but now, we could see different straw plaiting decorations are come out and this natural art has already become a fashion among modern people. As we known, straw plaiting products all come from the nature so that they will be not harm to people’s health. In addition, more and more people are pursuit of environmental society. Therefore, we could see this art is leading a new fashion trend now.
Walking on the road, many straw shoes and straw mats which could make people cool in hot summer, colorful and beautiful straw bags for women and variety straw hangings for home decoration will be found and attracted. What’s more, straw plaiting products have already showed in the modern model shows and arose in great effect.
Straw Plaiting art can treat as the people’s intelligence gathering. It should have high skills and tender care. Maybe some places have produced straw products with machines, but almost all the straw plaiting products are weaved by people’s own hands, and some complex patterns must weaved by people, like the vivid animals, characters and other lively figures which the machine hard to do it.
Decorate home with these lovely patterns is worthy for people.
Tags: China culture, China Handicraft, Handicraft ArtPay Attention at here to know the Chinese Handicrafts
Handicrafts is commonly known as “folk and crafts” and mainly a hand-produced arts for meeting the life needs and aesthetic requirements of the folk working people with the local materials. There are developing numerous of handicrafts in China from ancient to now, such as paper cutting, Chinese knots, shadow puppets, brocade of Song Dynasty, bamboo plaiting, straw plaiting, embroidery, wood carving, clay sculpture and others.
As the different social history, customs, the geographical environment and aesthetic of various minorities and areas in China, the handicrafts from these places show different styles and fully demonstrate the Chinese hand-made art.
Hand-made arts have a long history in Chinese folk area and are the treasures of Chinese culture. They are widely famous at home and abroad for the long history, exquisite technique and variety categories. These traditional handicrafts are both the cultural art and daily necessaries that closely related with people’s life which also have been on behalf of a major of industries in China.
Fashion hand-made crafts are popular in such a prosperous and modern society is indeed a very strange phenomenon. Some say that the reason is nostalgia and a recall for the manual time of past years. In the pursuit of personalized time now, hand-made crafts with its unique artistic charm, decorative and functional performances have already irresistible pop around us. They like the wind to infiltrate every aspect of our lives and bring a huge market prospects.
Now with the science and technology development, the machines as the production tool have replaced people’s hand work; and more and more flourishes electronic accountings in our daily life can not only carry on operating mathematics accurately, but can translate one language to another; the modern robots’ appearance can instead of people’s hands to operate dangerous works or the experiments and engaged in the artistic creation, like writing, drawing, embroider, etc. We can imagine that our human traditional hand-made products will be replaced by those electronic products gradually. Therefore, the skills on making pottery, knitting…that related with people’s daily life will be unknown slowly. The impact of modernization has made the traditional handicrafts which are gone from us quietly. Subsequently disappeared are the communication between people and objects, the harmony between life and nature. Though the modern machined crafts are dazzling on the markets, they have no the feeling of temperature and emotion which are left by people themselves.
However, there are still some artists who make a living with their own hand skills to design different handicrafts and popular in the world. These products which are produced by them are worthy for people to treasure and hope these skills could pass on from generation to generation.
Tags: China culture, China Speciality Product, Chinese HandicraftsThe Meaning of Guanxi in Chinese Culture
Perhaps one of the most difficult concepts for people new to China, understanding how the Chinese view relationships is crucial to understanding Chinese people. Understanding ‘Guanxi’ will help one better assimilate into the Chinese culture.
One of the words that foreigners new to the TESOL Course, do not try to translate is ‘Guanxi’. It is such an important part of Chinese life that you all must try to understand it. However, any English translation cannot capture its full meaning because foreigners do not have a concept quite like it.
It is too simple to call Guanxi, ‘relationships’, ‘networking’, or ‘connections’ because all of these things are basic fibers of the Chinese culture. People rely on them not only for getting things done, but also for protection, security and support. Networks of Guanxi can be seen almost as underground tunnels and paths that connect a person to various other locations without the scrutiny of others. These networks serve very important functions for both the individuals and organizations in China. Of course, in its simplest and purest forms, Guanxi can also mean friendship, trust and willingness to help each other. However, this is one reason westerners have trouble understanding the line between friendship and Guanxi. In China, it is almost impossible for a ‘true friend’ to refuse the request of another ‘true friend’. Once that level of friendship has been reached, it is taken for granted that the friend will help if asked. The challenge Westerners face is determining who is that kind of friend and what is simply a favor that needs to be repaid later. It is also a delicate balance to know when you are imposing on someone and when they will be insulted if you do not ask for their help.
Often the term ‘friend’ is used to mean acquaintance and at other times it is used to express a hope of becoming friends in the future. All kinds of friendships that form the basis of this network are built over many years and many exchanges of favors. Most westerners would feel very comfortable exchanging favors if the exchange were clearly laid out, I`ll do ‘X’ for you if you do ‘Y’ for me. It doesn’t work that way because ‘that’s not how friends behave.’ Perhaps it is due to the western culture of independence that you feel uncomfortable with an open ended exchange, I`ll do ‘X’ for you and you`ll do something for me later. Or perhaps it is due to a lack of trust, thinking that the favor you offer in exchange will not be a fair trade, but you will be obligated.
A third factor that complicates this is that not all Chinese see them in the same way. I don’t want to make Guanxi sound like a kind of currency because that makes the development of friendships seem cold and calculating. For most Chinese, this is not the case. However, to give a better idea of this, I will discuss how different people use their Guanxi.
Some Chinese take pride in not being involved in any kind of Guanxi exchanges that would result in profit. They see ‘using’ friends to produce profit as a symbol that the person is not a ‘true friend’. However, even these people use this in many other ways.
Other Chinese will only use Guanxi when necessary and are very cautious not to impose on anyone. Usually these people will be more direct and offer an ‘X’ for ‘Y’ exchange if they feel what they are asking is an imposition or that they have not reached a close enough level of friendship yet. They may also ask you what you would like in exchange if they know you are leaving soon and they will therefore not be in a position to repay you later.
Foreigners enrolled and graduated from a TESOL Course should try to understand as much about Guanxi as they can and try to avoid falling into the trap of thinking of Guanxi as ‘using relationships’. Certainly, there may be times when you attend a dinner or do a small favor for someone because the ‘relationship’ may be useful later. But if you try to begin building Guanxi just to use it later, you will likely get burned by it because people will see you as a ‘user’. Also, never try to use Guanxi openly. Many people will try to help you when they can, even if they are not that close to you, if they can do so without taking sides or hurting themselves.
Whatever the reason, foreigners have difficulty getting used to Guanxi and even if they can get a strong grasp of its workings, they can never become fully integrated into its network. Understanding this key cultural insight early in your course will go a long way in helping you assimilate into the culture.
Tags: Chinese cultureIntroduction about Chinese Foods Style
Rice
China is the world’s largest rice producer, and one of the earliest centers of rice cultivation. For thousands of years, the Chinese people have been diligently cultivating their land for favorable harvests. The agricultural way of life, with rice as the center, has played an important role in China’s history. In the past, people held the belief that the precious things of life are the five grains with rice being number one, instead of pearls or jade.
For the Chinese people, rice is the staple food in everyday meals. They eat it as Westerners do with bread. Rice is cooked by boiling or steaming, till it absorbs as much water as it can.
There is a rich collection of rice dishes in China. Among them, fried rice might be the most popular not only in China, but also around the world. Depending on the types and amount of added ingredients, such as beans, chopped meat, vegetables, eggs, etc., as well as different manners of preparation, there have developed endless variations of fried rice.
Rice may also be made into rice porridge (congee). When cooking porridge, more water than usual is added to make the rice saturated with water and become very soft and viscous. It is often served and eaten with pickles, bamboo shoots, salted duck eggs, pickled tofu and many other condiments. Besides a common food on the dining table, rice porridge can also serve as food therapy for the unwell by adding ingredients of therapeutic value.
Noodles
Noodles are a staple food in Chinese cuisine, with a long history and wide popularity. Its first appearance can be traced back to the East Han Dynasty (25 – 220 AD), and it became very popular during Song Dynasty (960 – 1279 AD). Its cooking methods are numerous, though relatively simple. People can, according to their likes and tastes, add different ingredients and materials to make a great variety of noodles.
Chinese noodles vary in width. They can be thin as needles, or thick as chopsticks. However, when it comes to length, they are usually served long and uncut. This is because long noodles are a symbol of longevity in Chinese tradition. Thus, during birthday celebrations, people will serve “longevity noodles” in good hope for longevity.
Chinese noodles are generally made from wheat flour, rice flour, or types of starches, such as Mung Bean starch. Wheat flour noodles are commonly produced and consumed in North China, while rice flour noodles are more typical in South China.
Rice flour and starch-based noodles are made only with rice flour or starch and water. Wheat flour noodles maybe added in low quantities with egg, lye or food coloring in order to have a yellow color, and change the texture, tenderness and taste of the noodles. No matter their type, noodles cook very quickly. Usually it requires no more than 5 minutes to become al dente, while thinner noodles only take less than one minute to finish cooking.
Because of different manners of preparation and using of materials and ingredients, there are over a thousand types of noodles all over China with local characteristics. Among them, the most famous ones are soy bean paste noodles (or Zhajiang Mian) in Beijing, hand-pulled noodles (or Lamian) in Shaanxi Province, sliced noodles (or Daoxiao Mian) in Shanxi Province, dandan noodles (or dandan mian) in Sichuan Province, to name just a few.
Noodles are served and eaten hot or cold, boiled, steamed, stir-fried, deep-fried, or served in soup. Whichever way, you’ll first need to, by using chopsticks, stir the noodle till all the materials are evenly mingled before enjoying it. Noodles are an excellent food for the nutritionally-inclined, providing harmonious dietary balance. They are low in calories, and high in protein and carbohydrate.
Tags: Chinese Foods Style, Noodles, RiceDo you know the role of Facial Make-up?
Chinese traditional opera has a very interesting phenomenon, which is that people’s characters can be judged through the modeling, color and pattern of the Facial Make-up. This is a simple but not meet the real life dualism, non-good means bad, non-loyal means crafty and non-foolish means wisdom. This division makes the people on the stage become clear, it is easy for the viewer to judge.
In addition to show character, the Facial Make-up can also imply various circumstances of different roles. For example, Xiang Yu’s eyes are painted shape of cry, which suggest his tragic in the end. BaoGong’s frown means he always worry about something. Another role is to keep distance between the audiences, which make the audience not easy fall into the play, but to concentrate on aesthetics and appreciation. In addition, Facial Make-up’ strong, clear paint and a variety of patterns, along with rough tune, can stimulate the formation of arts and play the role of exciting, venting and motioning.
Facial Make-up is not absolutely fixed, they will be changed as the operas, the role of age, the different face of different people. In addition, there is a principle when painting actors’ face, which is the basic colors among all the actors on the stage are not the same. This situation indicates that there are still many issues need to be studied on Facial Make-up.
Tags: China culture, Facial Make-upCloisonne — A Great Art for the World
Cloisonne which belongs to the traditional handicraft art of China and is also known as enamel. It is originated from Yuan Dynasty and popular in JingTai period of Ming Dynasty (1450 – 1456). The reason why people called this art Cloisonne is that its glazed color is mainly blue, such as peacock blue and sapphire blue.
Cloisonne has already more than 600 years history, and collected history, culture, art and special traditional craft to his work. It is widespread both in China and broad for its national style and profound connotation.
People with their hands have made the art of Cloisonne since ancient time. However, they were the symbol of power and status and exclusively used for nobility in the old time. The visitors now can see the cloisonne art treasures which were left from old time in
Forbidden City or Summer Palace tourist spot where are located in BeiJing City of China. Actually, until now, there are still some cloisonne treasures of Yuan, Ming and Qing time floated in privates.
And now, with the development of society, cloisonne is popular among common people. Take one cloisonne goods to compare with a modern one under our current quality standard, there have obvious difference. The modern cloisonne goods with so many high technology skills have big improvement than the conditions of hundreds years ago.
After the foundation of The Republic of China, cloisonne has experienced a period of changes and got a good development. It mainly has two species, golden cloisonne and blue cloisonne. Cloisonne, carving, jade and ivory are called the four most famous crafts in Beijing, China.
It is a bright pearl in art world. With long history, elegant and graceful styles, vibrant colors, gorgeous and beautiful patterns, luxury visual experiences as well as all hand-finished work and integrated with the intelligence of people, cloisonne art is very popular among the world now. It has already become the necessary house decoration goods for people, and very fit for people to gift for friends and family or as souvenirs.
Know more information about Chinese handicrafts or others, welcome to our online shop.
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Tags: Chinese handicraftBamboo Hanging Picture — Chinese Art
Bamboo hanging pictures are kind of Chinese art, which are made of high quality bamboo as the background and feature different patterns in front, such as lovely couples, charming women, naughty kid, beautiful nature scenery or some famous people and others.
Bamboo hanging pictures with scientific, reasonable and rigorous process are special compare with other arts. They are corrosion resistant, wear resistance, durable and practical. In addition, when they are dirty, it is easy to clean. What’s more, as its materials all from the natural, they are not harm for people’s health. Therefore, this art is perfect for people to adorn house and create a new environmental decoration.
Chinese handicraft store offers variety bamboo hanging pictures, and they are all in competitive price. Whether buy this art for decoration, collection or appreciation, this art will be an eye-catching. Of cause, bamboo hanging pictures are also good gift for friends with the special and unique character.
Bamboo hanging pictures have the functions not only hanging on the wall, but as blinds. However, the positions should depend on people’s different needs. Besides, the pictures can be easy to roll up when people want to collect.
If there is one of your friends are going to marriage, you can choose a couple’s bamboo hanging picture to show your best wishes for them. This will add more happiness for the newlywed when hanging the picture on their wall.
Present a longevity bamboo hanging picture to elderly one will be the best thing. In Chinese legend, there is a god of longevity who is a kindhearted old man. People usually like to show their wishes to someone when they celebrate birthday with this longevity role.
Still, there are so many beauties, they comes from different ethnic groups and have variety expressions. These vivid ladies could move people deeply and make people can’t help to admire the designers’ extensive imagination and exquisite work. No matter hanging it on office or home, these bamboo hanging pictures will reflect your unique aesthetic.
Know more information about bamboo hanging pictures or other Chinese handicraft, like Shadow Puppets, Chinese Knots, welcome to our online store.
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Tags: Chinese handicraftSaint Sophia Cathedral (Harbin, China) – A Miraculous Place
The Saint Sophia Cathedral of Harbin is the largest Orthodox church in the Far East, which located in the Harbin, HeiLongJiang Province, China. It is a miraculous building in Harbin and was first built in 1907 and completed of timber for reconsolidate Russia army spiritual by the Fourth Infantry Division of East Siberia. In 1912, it was reconstructed into a bricky timberwork church. In 1923, the Saint Sophia Cathedral was redeveloped again according to the Russia architect’s design, and it was finally built in 1932.
The whole Cathedral occupies 721 square meters (0.18 acres) and stands at 53.3 meters tall (175 feet). It is totally the typical representative of Byzantine architectures. The main structure is a Latin cross statement, and in space, it shows a giant dome, but more fascinate thing is that there is no any pillars to support in the room. In a other word, the engineers invented the arches, buttresses and domes or other designs to this special church, and let people to regard holy and sacred one. Of cause, there are still many other fascinates in it. With its magnificent and exotic structure, the Saint Sophia Cathedral becomes a unique landscape of Harbin.
After the liberation of Harbin, the Soviet government transferred the church’s property to the government of Harbin. It had ever closed since 1960. During the Culture Revolution of China, the Cathedral suffered from serious damage, like the windows were bricked up, the paintings, bells and crosses were lost. But in 1986, it was treated as the first protecting building in Harbin. In 1996, it became state-level major cultural relic preservation site. And in 1997, the government decided to implement comprehensive construct Sophia Cathedral.
After the St. Sophia Cathedral restored, the building changes more magnificent, green ground, enough square, leisure chairs, spiritual atmosphere, all reflect the beautiful of it, especially appreciated in the evening, the lights will make the Cathedral show another charm.
If people decide to visit China, this miraculous place in Harbin should not be missed. Winder is a good season to visit Harbin where is in the north of China, so visit Harbin in winter will get more fun.
Chinese Emperors — A Long History and Deep Culture
According to the Chinese culture, the socialism of China has ever experienced several other periods, primitive society, slave society, feudalism society, semi-colony and semi-feudal society.
For the thousands years of China, the system of emperor (HuangDi) which hold the right of legislative, administrative, judicial and all other powers existed for a long time until feudalism society. Actually, before the "emperor (HuangDi)", the supreme ruler of China called "Wang""Huang" or "Di", such as "ZhouWenWang""ZhouWuWang""Three Huang" and "Five Di". The first emperor could date back to the Qin Shihuang who is the first Emperor of Qin unified China in 221 B.C. of feudal society. Of cause, he is the first emperor of China.
Why Qing ShiHuang was the first emperor of China?
About 221B.C. the king of Qin, Zheng Zhao, beat other six countries which included Qi, Chu, Yan, Zhao, Wei and Han and unified them to one country that is the basic of China. So Zheng Zhao thought he was so great that the "Three Huang" and "Wu Di" could not compare with him.
And then, he wanted to change his title to show his great quality and be remembered by generations. So the emperor "HuanDi" were created from Qin.
The emperor system lasted for about two thousand years. According to the statistics, since 221 BC, China has a total of 348 orthodox emperors, and if plus those non-orthodox emperors, there are about 494 emperors in history. It still includes some baby emperors. The last emperor is "PuYi" also named "XuanTong" of Qing Dynasty. It declares that the end of Qing Dynasty when he abdicated on Feb, 12, 1912.
Following are the emperor of the top in various categories:
The oldest emperor in history is a non-orthodox emperor ZhaoTuo who was died when he was over 100 years old.
The shortest lived emperor is Shang of East Han Dynasty who was died when 2 years old.
The youngest emperor is also Shang of East Han Dynasty who became emperor when he was 100 days after born.
KangXi of Qing Dynasty governs longest for 61 years among these emperors.
The emperor of JinWu has the most concubines about 10000.
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