Cultures

To behold the celebration of the Chinese New Year i a wondrous spectacle. But the Chinese New Year is also much more personal then the National celebration. In observing the New Year the Chinese...

The Chinese writing system uses characters instead of a phonetic alphabet, so a concept such as "love" is represented in Chinese using a single character. Chinese characters can also be written...

August Moon refers to the fifteenth night of the eighth month in the Chinese calender. It is the center of a Chinese celebration, which is often referred to as the August Moon Festival or the...

When first created 3,000 years ago, Chinese fans were simply used to block the sun and keep cool. But over the years, they evolved into works of art, status symbols, props for theater and dance,...

We often associate setting a traditional Chinese table with the rather grand way tables can be laid out in Chinese restaurants. In these settings, sometimes plates are laid out with chopsticks...

Ever seen someone with a Tattoo that is supposedly written in Japanese "Kanji"? Ever been to a Chinatown, and wondered if the sign you see is written in Korean or Chinese? Using these...

Chinese youth have more money today to spend on fashion than ever before. According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, the annual per capita disposable income of urban dwellers increased by...

There is no doubt that a proportionally high number of people who live to be older than 100 years of age live in China. The interest in Chinese centenarians has increased as more studies focus on...

As the population in Macau and Hong Kong is predominantly Chinese, I was exposed to the Chinese traditions as a youngster. I used to love the Chinese New Year, as this is the time that I go about...

The Chinese Lantern Festival has many names. It is also known as Shang Yuan Festival, or the Little New Year, as it marks the end of the celebrations stemming from the Chinese New Year. The...

It is interesting how the Chinese look upon the preparation of food as an art, and not simply a craft. I am told that Chinese cooking is influenced by Confucianism, which calls for a high level of...

In Chinese culture, specific types of dress and colors are worn at specific times. There are three main types of Chinese traditional clothing: the pien-fu, the ch'ang-p'ao, and the shen-i.

The Chinese renminbi, RMB, is the official currency of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The word "renminbi" means "the people's currency." Just as the U.S. dollar has coins and smaller...

Unfortunately, infant mortality rates have been very high at times in humanity's history. Typically, however, an infant who lived to be one-month-old would survive. To mark this occasion, the...

The color red represents a complex number of meanings in Chinese culture, depending strongly on the context in which it is used. It always carries a positive message, whether it refers to loyalty...

Gift-giving is an important part of Chinese culture, and traditional gifts occupy an important place in social exchanges. Picking traditional gifts can help build harmonious relationships with...

I was born in Macau, with a largely Chinese population. I was therefore exposed to Chinese culture from an early age, celebrating as well all the traditional festivals, inclusive of the Chinese...

The country of China and the Micronesian archipelago are distinctly different places. China and Micronesia have different land areas, climates and populations. The history, art and cultures of...

Giving a general overview of Chinese culture to foreigners can be difficult because its scope is so large. In addition, regional variations in many beliefs and practices can be a source of...

Chinese culture is full of different customs and etiquette in regards to business, giving greetings, dining, giving gifts, keeping distances, gestures and facial expressions. It's important to...

Ear cleaning in China is an ancient practice which has since been adopted by the rest of the world. However, the Chinese way of cleaning ears is much different then our more modern way of cleaning...

China's rapid growth as a world economic and political power has been accompanied by growing nationalism among the country's population. Contemporary expressions of nationalism, however, have...

Christmas traditions have been traced back to the Mesopotamians, a civilization that had carolers, Yule logs, holiday meals and festivals during their New Year's celebrations, according to...

Many Chinese gift-giving traditions go back many centuries. In a Chinese culture, it is important to know what gifts are appropriate for certain occasions, what not to give and the proper...

Fortune cookie messages can be inspirational, an expression of love, a gift or help celebrating a joyous occasion. Ideas can come from famous quotes or you can use your own.

While red comes instantly to mind regarding the cultural significance of color in China, blue has its meanings there, too. The Chinese do not totally differentiate between blue and green. Azure...

Since ancient times, Chinese symbols and signs have existed. Over the centuries, people from other cultures have adopted many of these Chinese signs for good luck.

The role of Chinese women in China has continued to evolve over the centuries. In China, the role of Chinese women also varies by location and social status. Wealthy, poor, rural and urban Chinese...

Learning to speak Chinese can be a daunting task if you're not one of the 1.3 billion native speakers in China. However, it's possible for anyone with Internet access to learn how to speak Chinese...

Christmas celebrations vary around the world, and no single aspect of Christmas is more diverse around the globe than food. In China, foods eaten at Christmastime depend on the family, their...

The trade of silk fabric throughout history has impacted much of the world, particularly Europe and Asia. Even after thousands of years, silk fabric continues to be highly prized for its beauty...

When dining in China, guests are expected to act in a manner that is civilized. They should pay close attention to the Chinese etiquette being practiced in public and follow suit. This will ward...

Proper pronunciation is perhaps the most important part of learning Chinese, whether you are learning Mandarin or Cantonese. But, of course, in order to properly learn a language, you must master...

Baltimore's Chinese immigrants possess an interesting history, often clouded in uncertainty. It is evident, however, that Chinese culture has been an important part of Baltimore's history.

The Chinese and Japanese cultures are frequently confused by Westerners and thought of as similar. Although there are similarities between these two Eastern cultures, there are many more differences.

Egypt and China were both great empires in the ancient world. Though each has left its impact on history, they were rather different regarding their beliefs, practices and economies.

The Great Wall of China is the world's longest man-made structure, with estimates as of April 2009 placing it about 5,500 miles long. Besides an architectural marvel, the wall also secured China's...

Learning about other countries is a great way for kids to understand the world around them. And with thousands of years of history and a population of more than one billion, China offers a...

Chinese Baoding balls originated in Baoding, China. Baoding balls are two iron balls that are twirled in the same hand. Experienced practitioners can use three or four balls. The balls are said to...

Today, a pinata brings to mind a paper mache three-dimensional shape covered in brightly colored tissue paper and filled with candy. Blind-folded children take turns hitting the pinata with a...

In the traditional Chinese Society, women were oppressed and disrespected. The traditional role of women in China centered around the home, where they were expected to serve their families.

Chinese paintings are differentiated by the materials they are painted on, the brushes used when painting and the types of ink made for the process. These components have been developed over the...

Chinese culture is rich and diverse and covers centuries of history and innovation. People who wish to learn about it have many options, but should realize they can only scrape the surface of this...

Traditional Chinese paper-making began between the eighth and second centuries B.C. Early paper was made from bamboo, leaves and other common materials. Over time, rice became a source of fiber...

Fans have been an important part of Chinese culture for nearly 3,000 years. Whether used for functional purposes, decorative purposes, or a combination of the two, fans are still produced in a...

Chinese is one of the earliest writing systems, dating back over 4,000 years. Though the characters have evolved a great deal over the millennia, and have undergone a great many simplifications to...

Chinese paper lanterns are a popular decoration at parties all over the world today for their colorful, festive look. But they have a rich tradition in their native land that is steeped in...

Most modern Chinese swords are for exhibition only. Many Kung Fu practitioners use flexible swords or other light swords that are easier to spin and are safer for use in Kung Fu exhibitions....

Calligraphy is an important part of Chinese culture; calligraphers are revered citizens. Differences in style can convey the feelings, culture and character of the artist who uses language to...

Beginning in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the ancient art of Chinese papermaking was born. By the early 1700s, households in tiny villages along small rivers were creating paper. Using kilns for...