China China

Chinese Facts Chinese Facts

Name Zhong Guo “Middle Kingdom”Name Zhong Guo “Middle Kingdom”Population-The population of China is Population-The population of China is

over 1 billion. 94% of the population over 1 billion. 94% of the population is known as HAN (ethnic Chinese), is known as HAN (ethnic Chinese), but there are 55 national minorities. but there are 55 national minorities.

Chinese Facts Chinese Facts

Area-The total area of China is Area-The total area of China is 3,696,032 square miles. 3,696,032 square miles.

Major Rivers-The two major rivers are Major Rivers-The two major rivers are the Yellow Rives and the Yangtze River. the Yellow Rives and the Yangtze River.

Climate-Primarily temperate, but varies Climate-Primarily temperate, but varies from bitterly cold in north to tropical in from bitterly cold in north to tropical in south. south.

Cities-China’s two most populous cities Cities-China’s two most populous cities are Beijing, the capital, and Shanghai. are Beijing, the capital, and Shanghai.

LanguageLanguage

Mandarin is the official dialect of the Mandarin is the official dialect of the country, although there are many country, although there are many dialects which vary from region to dialects which vary from region to region. region.

http://mandarin.about.com/od/http://mandarin.about.com/od/pronunciation/tp/audio_clips.htmpronunciation/tp/audio_clips.htm

Written LanguageWritten Language

The Chinese do not use an alphabet. The Chinese do not use an alphabet. Instead, each Chinese word is called Instead, each Chinese word is called

a character. a character. Each character represents an idea or Each character represents an idea or

object . object . Written form was standardized Written form was standardized

around 200 b.c. (Spoken not around 200 b.c. (Spoken not standardized-different dialects). standardized-different dialects).

Written Language cont. Written Language cont.

Chinese characters are really pictures Chinese characters are really pictures of things (pictographs) or pictures of of things (pictographs) or pictures of ideas. ideas.

Thousands of characters make up the Thousands of characters make up the Chinese Language. Chinese Language.

Examples: Examples: http://logos.uoregon.edu/explore/orthohttp://logos.uoregon.edu/explore/orthography/chinese2.htmlgraphy/chinese2.html

Daily LifeDaily Life

66thth Century-500 b.c. Confucius Century-500 b.c. Confucius teachings were deeply ingrained in teachings were deeply ingrained in Chinese society. Chinese society.

He stressed the importance of family He stressed the importance of family and education. and education.

Emphasized that if children obeyed Emphasized that if children obeyed and respected their parents, then as and respected their parents, then as adults, they would respect authority. adults, they would respect authority.

The virtue or respect towards one’s The virtue or respect towards one’s elders is known as filial piety. elders is known as filial piety.

Chinese MannersChinese Manners

Showing respect towards others is one Showing respect towards others is one of the principle virtues in Chinese of the principle virtues in Chinese society. society.

Believe in rules of etiquette and proper Believe in rules of etiquette and proper behavior. behavior. Ex: both hands should be used to handle Ex: both hands should be used to handle

items items Receive a gift, sit aside and open later. Receive a gift, sit aside and open later. Bowing, as to convey respect to the higher Bowing, as to convey respect to the higher

level level

Manners cont. Manners cont.

Do not use large hand movements. The Do not use large hand movements. The Chinese do not speak with their hands. Chinese do not speak with their hands. Your movements may be distracting to Your movements may be distracting to your host.your host.

   Personal contact must be avoided at all Personal contact must be avoided at all cost. It is highly inappropriate for a man to cost. It is highly inappropriate for a man to touch a woman in public. touch a woman in public.

To point do not use your index finger, use To point do not use your index finger, use an open palm.an open palm.

   It is considered improper to put your It is considered improper to put your hand in your mouth. hand in your mouth.

   Avoid acts that involve the mouth.Avoid acts that involve the mouth.

Gift giving is a very delicate Gift giving is a very delicate issue in China issue in China

The following gifts and/or colors are The following gifts and/or colors are associated with death and should not associated with death and should not be given: be given:

ClocksClocksStraw sandalsStraw sandalsA stork or craneA stork or craneHandkerchiefsHandkerchiefsAnything white, blue or blackAnything white, blue or black

Food Food

Because of the climates, wheat is grown in Because of the climates, wheat is grown in the north and rice in the south. the north and rice in the south.

*Bread, noodles, and rice are main staples. *Bread, noodles, and rice are main staples.

Vegetables are the next most consumed Vegetables are the next most consumed foods. foods.

Meat is eaten in small quantities and is often Meat is eaten in small quantities and is often used to flavor food.used to flavor food.

Fruits are eaten for snacks and are Fruits are eaten for snacks and are sometimes served as desert. sometimes served as desert.

Foods cont. Foods cont.

Dog is common in Korean restaurants in Dog is common in Korean restaurants in Beijing. The dogs used are not pets taken Beijing. The dogs used are not pets taken from people's homes but are specially from people's homes but are specially raised for food - just as a cow, lamb or raised for food - just as a cow, lamb or chicken would be in the west. chicken would be in the west.

ScorpionScorpion Mice/Rat meat dishes Mice/Rat meat dishes Cicada Cicada Snake meat dishesSnake meat dishes Starfish Starfish Insects Insects

Chinese Art Chinese Art

PorcelainPorcelain Silk Silk Paintings Paintings CalligraphyCalligraphy Favorite Subjects in Art Favorite Subjects in Art

Bamboo-Strength and durabilityBamboo-Strength and durability Lotus – purity and perfectionLotus – purity and perfection Chrysanthemum-retirement and life of ease Chrysanthemum-retirement and life of ease Plum Tree-strength and long lifePlum Tree-strength and long life Peach-long life Peach-long life Crane-most popular, placed with pine tree, long life Crane-most popular, placed with pine tree, long life Bat-happiness and wealth Bat-happiness and wealth Fish-wealth and abundance Fish-wealth and abundance

Chinese Art Chinese Art

http://www.chinapage.com/http://www.chinapage.com/china.htmlchina.html

Slide Show Slide Show

Chinese Architecture Chinese Architecture

http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/http://library.thinkquest.org/10098/china1.htm#Templeschina1.htm#Temples

Chinese Religion Chinese Religion

Different from Western Standards Different from Western Standards Christian, Muslim or JewishChristian, Muslim or JewishBlend of Buddhism, Confucianism, Blend of Buddhism, Confucianism,

Daoism, and Local Gods/Spirits Daoism, and Local Gods/Spirits

Basic Ideas Basic Ideas

Humanistic rather than center it on Humanistic rather than center it on gods gods Contrast to Western in God’s will on Earth Contrast to Western in God’s will on Earth

emphasis is on what God wants, what God emphasis is on what God wants, what God intends, not on what mankind wants intends, not on what mankind wants

Chinese relate religion on how to act in Chinese relate religion on how to act in such a way that the gods will grant one's such a way that the gods will grant one's wishes, or how to ensure that the gods will wishes, or how to ensure that the gods will do what mankind wants and needsdo what mankind wants and needs

Basic Ideas Basic Ideas

Focus on good life on earth not Focus on good life on earth not afterlife afterlife

Perfectibility of HumankindPerfectibility of HumankindHarmony and peace with the world Harmony and peace with the world

and with other people and with other people

Confucianism Confucianism 6 centuries b.c. 6 centuries b.c.

Everything is seen as relational, what Everything is seen as relational, what you do effects everything, even you do effects everything, even generational generational

Decision making Decision making CompassionCompassionRighteousness and justice for everyone Righteousness and justice for everyone Loyalty Loyalty Filial piety: family, country, not one’s Filial piety: family, country, not one’s

own wishesown wishesTruthfulness Truthfulness

DaoismDaoism

Opposite of Confucian stress on Opposite of Confucian stress on ethics and educationethics and educationThe more education a person had the The more education a person had the

more you become divorced from the more you become divorced from the natural way. natural way.

Let nature takes its course Let nature takes its course Humankind should discard all Humankind should discard all

contrivance contrivance

Buddhism Buddhism

The Four Truths The Four Truths Suffering exists as an inescapable part Suffering exists as an inescapable part

of lifeof lifeSuffering has a cause Suffering has a cause That cause is desire for things to be That cause is desire for things to be

different than they are different than they are Suffering is the elimination of desire Suffering is the elimination of desire

Chinese Festivals Chinese Festivals

There are innumerable festivals and There are innumerable festivals and celebrations that vary from region to celebrations that vary from region to region.region.

However, there are a number of However, there are a number of major festivals that have a long major festivals that have a long tradition and are celebrated with tradition and are celebrated with much enthusiasm and excitement much enthusiasm and excitement throughout the country. throughout the country.

Ching Ming Festival Ching Ming Festival

Also known as the Also known as the Grave-sweeping or Grave-sweeping or Spring Remembrance Spring Remembrance

Chinese families show Chinese families show their respect by their respect by visiting the graves of visiting the graves of their ancestors to their ancestors to clear away weeds, clear away weeds, touch up gravestone touch up gravestone inscriptions and make inscriptions and make offerings of wine and offerings of wine and fruit. fruit.

Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon Boat Festival also known as Dragon Boat Festival also known as Duanwu Featival. Duanwu Featival.

Takes place on the 5Takes place on the 5thth day of the 5 day of the 5thth month of the Chinese Calendar. month of the Chinese Calendar. (2008-June 8(2008-June 8thth).).

Main celebration is a boat race and Main celebration is a boat race and the eating of Zong zi. the eating of Zong zi.

Zong Zi Zong Zi

Dragon Boat Festival Dragon Boat Festival

Festival Dates back 2,000 years ago. Festival Dates back 2,000 years ago. The festival is held to commemorate Quyuan, an The festival is held to commemorate Quyuan, an

ancient scholar and hero. ancient scholar and hero. Quyuan was a high official of the Chu State who Quyuan was a high official of the Chu State who

committed suicide by drowning himself in the committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River (in today's Hunan province in central Miluo River (in today's Hunan province in central China) after knowing the Chu Army had been China) after knowing the Chu Army had been defeated in a vital battle. defeated in a vital battle.

The local people knowing Quyuan was a The local people knowing Quyuan was a good man, felt very sorrowful about his good man, felt very sorrowful about his death. They went out in their boats to death. They went out in their boats to rescue him or at least to try to find his rescue him or at least to try to find his body.body.

Chinese Dragon Boat Festival Chinese Dragon Boat Festival

Images/YouTube clip. Images/YouTube clip. http://www.chinatravel.com/focus/http://www.chinatravel.com/focus/

dragon-boat-festival/dragon-boat-festival/

Moon Festival Moon Festival

Originally named the Mid-Autumn Festival, Originally named the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Moon Festival is one of the most the Moon Festival is one of the most important holidays celebrated by Chinese important holidays celebrated by Chinese communities around the world.communities around the world.

"When the moon is full, mankind is one" -- "When the moon is full, mankind is one" -- In China, the full moon has always In China, the full moon has always represented the gatherings of friends and represented the gatherings of friends and family. Thus, Mid-Autumn Festival is a time family. Thus, Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunions. On this night, families for family reunions. On this night, families will go together to scenic spots and parks will go together to scenic spots and parks for moon appreciation parties, and eating for moon appreciation parties, and eating mooncakesmooncakes..

Moon Festival Moon Festival

Moon Festival Moon Festival

Mooncakes earned their popularity during the Mooncakes earned their popularity during the Yuan DynastyYuan Dynasty (1200 A.D.- 1368 A.D) when, as legends say, the Mongols (1200 A.D.- 1368 A.D) when, as legends say, the Mongols who had established the who had established the Yuan DynastyYuan Dynasty were too were too oppressive, and were overthrown by the Chinese with the oppressive, and were overthrown by the Chinese with the help of this simple dessert. Since Mongols did not eat help of this simple dessert. Since Mongols did not eat mooncakes, the Chinese took advantage of this cultural mooncakes, the Chinese took advantage of this cultural difference and planned a revolt against them. Leaders of difference and planned a revolt against them. Leaders of the revolts distributed mooncakes, under the pretense of the revolts distributed mooncakes, under the pretense of celebrating the emperor's longevity, to other Chinese celebrating the emperor's longevity, to other Chinese people. The people. The mooncakesmooncakes held secret messages baked within held secret messages baked within the skin, informing people to revolt on the 15th of the 8th the skin, informing people to revolt on the 15th of the 8th moon, also the Mid Autumn festival. The rebellion was moon, also the Mid Autumn festival. The rebellion was successful and mooncakes were forever kept a national successful and mooncakes were forever kept a national tradition of China. tradition of China. http://www.chinatownconnection.com/chinese_mooncake_fhttp://www.chinatownconnection.com/chinese_mooncake_festival.htmestival.htm

Chinese New Year Chinese New Year

The most festive and joyous of all celebrations.The most festive and joyous of all celebrations. 15 day celebration 15 day celebration Begins of the 20Begins of the 20thth day of the first moon. day of the first moon.

(Between January-March). (Between January-March). Family members gather for a feast. Family members gather for a feast. Firecrackers explode to frighten away evil Firecrackers explode to frighten away evil

spirits. spirits. Day to remember ancestors.Day to remember ancestors. Red envelopes of money is given for good luck. Red envelopes of money is given for good luck. Lion Dances are performed. Lion Dances are performed.

Lion Dance Lion Dance

Performed in the street to bands of Performed in the street to bands of gongs and drum players. gongs and drum players.

Accompanied by more explosions of Accompanied by more explosions of fireworks fireworks

Chinese New Year Chinese New Year

11stst day-”Welcoming the gods of Heaven day-”Welcoming the gods of Heaven and Earth”. Do not eat meat to assure and Earth”. Do not eat meat to assure long and happy lives. long and happy lives.

22ndnd day-the Chinese pray to their ancestors day-the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.  birthday of all dogs. 

33rdrd day-are for the sons-in-laws to pay day-are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law. respect to their parents-in-law.

Chinese New Year Chinese New Year

55thth day-called Poo day-called Poo Woo. Stay home to Woo. Stay home to welcome God of welcome God of Wealth. Wealth.

6-106-10thth Day-visit Day-visit relatives, friends relatives, friends and temples. Pray and temples. Pray for fortune and for fortune and good health. good health.

77thth day-birthday of day-birthday of human beings. Day human beings. Day for farmers to for farmers to display their display their produce. Noodles produce. Noodles are eaten to are eaten to promote longevity promote longevity and raw fish for and raw fish for success. success.

Chinese New YearChinese New Year

88thth day-family reunion day-family reunion dinner, and at dinner, and at midnight they pray to midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.Heaven.

99thth day-make offerings day-make offerings to the Jade Emperor. to the Jade Emperor.

1010thth-12-12thth-days that -days that friends and relatives friends and relatives should be invited for should be invited for dinner. dinner.

1414thth day-preparations day-preparations for the 15for the 15thth day. day.

1515thth day-Lantern day-Lantern Festival. Festival.

1515thth day-Lantern Festival day-Lantern Festival

Lantern’s display the signs of the Zodiac. Lantern’s display the signs of the Zodiac. The subjects of the riddles are often The subjects of the riddles are often

traditional Chinese songs, poems, stories traditional Chinese songs, poems, stories or historical events or historical events

lanterns beautiful and decorative, they lanterns beautiful and decorative, they also celebrate and express Chinese history also celebrate and express Chinese history and culture.and culture.

Referred as Chinese Valentines-in past Referred as Chinese Valentines-in past only day single women could go out and only day single women could go out and be seen by bachelors. be seen by bachelors.