Archive for the ‘China Tradition’ Category

March 9th, 2012  Posted at   China Tradition
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In China, wedding is a big event for not only the newly-weds, but also the two families. Before the wedding, the groom should present grand gifts to the bride family, on the other hand, the bride will bring wedding dowry to the groom’s family. Bride’s dowry is mainly interior ornaments or daily necessities. Of course, wealthy parents always have the option of throwing in some real estate or couple of servant girls. Followed are some traditional wedding dowries in China.

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The bride family should bring gold jewelries. One pair of chopsticks which indicate "fast son" is included in the dowry list. There are also many other basic items with symbol meaning, including two bowls tied up with red string which is called "sons and grandsons bowls"; toilet kettle; bed spread and pillows and quilt embroidered with dragon-phoenix design; scissors and ruler; wallet and belt, sliced candy; tea sets including tea pot, tea cups and tea tray; clothe wrapped together with cypress leaves, lotus seeds, lucky money, dried fruit such as dragon eyes. Nowadays, as the economy developed fast in China, most brides families will provide some home appliances to the dowry list, such as refrigerator, washing machine or air-condition.

These days, people will not follow the custom strictly, but it’s still a ritual for a wedding in China. There are some differences for the wedding dowry list, but the wedding dowry itself is kept.

March 5th, 2012  Posted at   China Tradition
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Wedding is not only a combination of the bride and the groom, but also the two families. In China, there are so many customs before and after the wedding. Before getting married, the groom family will present "Grand Gifts" to the bride’s family.

All gifts should come in even numbers, meaning "good things double". Some gifts are seasonal or not readily available in some parts of the world. As long as you present some of the gifts on the list in even numbers, it is a wonderful gesture that shows respect to the bride’s family. The groom family should also give the bride family Li Shi Money. The amount is determined by the groom’s family, usually contains the number 9, such as $99, $999, etc.

Jewelries, such as gold dragon-phoenix bangle will be included. Two families discuss the design and cost before purchase. Dried seafood and mushroom and Fat dish. Fat dish is a must as it symbolize fortune and prosperity. Seafood to be presented in four, six or eight items, which include sea cucumber, clam, shrimp, squid, shark fins, etc.

Besides that, three poultries and two pair of raw chicken – two males and two females; 2 to 4 kilograms of pork, shoulder-cut, meaning "double fly" are also included. Two pair of fish bring "fish smell", same pronunciation as "lively air." Two pair of coconut is also needed, which pronounced as "ye zi", same as "grandfather and son". Wine or liquor, four bottles together. Four Dried Fruits, dragon eyes, leechy, chestnuts, shelled peanuts, contained in a red, wooden decorated box named Tie Box. Other items in the Tie Box include lotus seeds, lily, cypress leaf, sesame, red beans, green beans, red dates, and red string, Li Shi money, dragon-phoenix candles a pair, and red banners one set. Tea, two cans. Tea is planted with seeds. Tea as a gift implies that the family will have more seeds after the wedding.

The grand gifts are not only plentiful but also need to follow the number rule strictly. People believed that it will bring good fortune and family prosperity.

March 2nd, 2012  Posted at   China Tradition
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There are many rituals and customs about wedding around the world, especially in China. China has a long history and has her own culture. Therefore, there are also many interesting customs for wedding. Many rituals and customs have been lost or amended over thousands of years of civilization. However, the reciprocal gift-giving etiquette is well preserved as a cultural icon.

The newlyweds will visit the bride’s parent’s three days after the wedding. They will bring certain gifts, and the bride’s family is supposed to return part of the gifts, plus some gifts from them. The groom will present her family with a roast suckling pig, a symbol of virginity, to indicate the bride’s purity. The head and tail plus feet and half of the roast pig brought by the groom, which indicates there is a beginning and end. One bottle liquor and one box of cake. Fruit and Sheng Cai, are also brought since it’s a vegetable that has the pronunciation of "lively". Bamboo stick is also included to indicate raising up step after step. Green onion which pronounces as "Cong", the same pronunciation as "plentiful" financially is also the present. There is also baby chicken in lantern box.

Actually since China is such a large country, the culture and custom is diverse from region to region. No matter in which region of China, there are always many interesting customs for wedding and most of them served a same purpose.

February 29th, 2012  Posted at   China Tradition
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The lion dance is an important part of Chinese culture. Lion dance is a traditional form of dance in Chinese culture in which performers mimic a lion’s movement in a lion costume. The lion dance is often mistakenly referred to as dragon dance. An easy way to tell the difference is that a lion is operated by two people, while a dragon needs many people. Also, in a lion dance, the performers’ faces are covered, since they are inside the lion. In a dragon dance, the performers can be seen since the dragon is held upon poles. Basic lion dance fundamental movements can be found in most Chinese martial arts. As a traditional form of dance, the Chinese use the Lion and Dragon dancers as symbols of auspiciousness to mark key dates such as Chinese New Year or the opening of a new business.

Lions are animals that are regarded as guardians in Chinese culture. Asiatic lions, which are native to nearby India, are the inspiration for the costume used in the Chinese lion dance. Although originating in China, the dance itself is performed in many countries and has numerous variations and incarnations. The lion is usually red, orange, or yellow in hue and the dance itself is quite acrobatic and occasionally features high risk stunts.

Chinese lion dance costumes comes in different shapes, sizes and colors. You can go for the kid’s Chinese lion dance costume for your child. You child will love dancing in the colorful costume. Or you can go for the adult one or even a professional lion dance costume one. Southern Chinese lion dance is usually performed as a way to ward off evil spirits while good fortune. The costume is more ornate and colorful and the dance is often seen as a symbol of the Chinese New Year and new beginnings. Purchase one of these lion dance costumes with specific ones for kids, adults, amateur or professional performers. Understand and appreciate traditional Chinese culture with these elaborate lion dance costumes.

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