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COMMON KNOWLEDGE OF CHINESE
CULTURE
CHOPSTICKS:
The Chinese use chopsticks and spoons at the
table. There is no knife at a Chinese table because the food is
already carved and cut up into pieces that are either large enough
for a mouthful or so well-cooked that they can be easily separated
into smaller pieces by chopsticks. Chopsticks can be found in a
variety of materials - ivory, plastic, silver, and even jade - but
the most common ones are made of wood or bamboo. For everyday use,
wood, bamboo, or ivory is best. Chopsticks are used for cooking as
well as eating. They are good for serving noodles, retrieving
deep-fried foods, beating eggs, and stir-frying. One can even buy
extra-long "cooking chopsticks," which make these kitchen tasks even
easier.
Instructions for using chopsticks:
FENG SHUI:
Feng Shui, a practical
philosophy, existed before the Chinese invited their writing system.
The ancient wise people used the most original and basic binary form
of "Yin" and "Yang" to reason the events of the world around them.
Feng Shui literally means 'wind, water' and traditionally symbolizes
the space between heaven and earth - the area in which we live.
The underlying philosophy recognizes that our environment and we are
sustained by an invisible, yet tangible, energy called "Chi"
otherwise knows as energy. It moves like wind, but can eddy and
become trapped like water, and stagnate.
The skill of a Feng Shui consultant lies in recognizing where Chi
(energy) is flowing freely, where it may be trapped and stagnate, or
where it may be excessive. The work of an occupier is to create
space for Chi (energy) to flow and activate the opportunities that
may be frustrated by obstacles. These skills and work are applied
together with a harmonious re-balancing of Yin and Yang, the dark
and light of all situations. The principles may be applied
geo-physically as well as superficially to placement, design and
decoration. House and garden should work together relative to life,
health, wealth and happiness. Every aspect of home, life, career and
relationships is open to enhancement.
Feng Shui facilitates holistic development of the individual, his
family or business by enhancing the immediate environment and it is
natural that good fortune and increased energy should accompany
proper implementation.
Recommendations for change and placement are based on nine
traditional cures, adapted for modern western use, involving light,
sound, life, movement, stability, electricity, symbolism, color and
transcendental solutions, all as required or appropriate.
LION DANCE:
The lion dance is an important part of the Chinese tradition. The
dance is common practice as part of Chinese New Year festivals as
well as other celebrations including the grand opening of a business
and wedding and religious festivals. The Chinese believe the lion
dance brings good luck, happiness and prosperity. The traditions of
the lion dance date back to thousands of years ago. In the Tang
dynasty, the lion dance was performed in a group of five lions of
different colors. Each lion was followed by twelve men dressed in
colorful costumes and with a red band around the forehead and a red
colored brush in hand. These people were called "lion-men" and they
danced in tempo to the drums and gongs. Lion dances were initially a
noble entertainment and gradually spread to the army and finally to
the civilians. In China, the lion dance differs in various regions
of the country, especially in appearances. In Northern China, the
body of the lion is full of hair except for the head. They look more
like the real lion and usually dance in pairs. In Southern China,
however, the lion looks far removed from the real lion because it is
made of multi-colored pieces of linen. The melody of the dance is
quite alike and it is difficult for a layman to differentiate. Two
dancers enact the lion dance. One handles the head, made out of
strong but light materials like paper-maché and bamboo; the other
plays the body and the tail under a cloth that is attached to the
head. Three musicians, playing a large drum, cymbals and a gong,
accompany the "animal". A Little Buddha teases it with a fan or a
giant ball. The head dancer can move the lion's eyes, mouth and ears
for expression of moods. The lion dance combines art, history and
kung fu. Normally, the performers are kung fu practitioners. Every
kind of move has a specific musical rhythm. The music follows the
moves of the lion: the drum follows the lion; the cymbals and the
gong follow the drum player
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