Slideshow of Chinese Culture
Additional Resources to Learn more about Chinese Culture
http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/Festivals/78131.htm - This website allows a person to learn about traditional Chinese festivles and the customs associated with each one.
http://www.chinatour.com/chinese-culture.htm- This website lets the viewer learn more about the cuisine, the importance of Kung Fu, the peking opera, and proper table manners in China.
http://www.chinatour.com/chinese-culture.htm- This website lets the viewer learn more about the cuisine, the importance of Kung Fu, the peking opera, and proper table manners in China.
Maps
The map above deals with the cultural universal of economics. The map shows how China has become a country that exports a lot of goods. The map shows where China sends its exports and how much money they make from their exports to each country.
Graphs
In 1986 China passed the compulsary education law ("China education," 2014). This law perhaps helped improve the literacy in China. According to Figure 3.1 China has had a steady increase in literacy rate since 1982. China has become more developed as a country. Since China relaxed its borders it has become a leading power in the world. Figure 3.2 shows how internet usage has increased dramatically in the country over the last few years. Figure 3.3 shows that the total energy use in China has increased exponentially. This is perhaps due to the fact that China has become industrialized and has many plants and factories as well as a large population.
Source
China education. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.chinaeducenter.com/en/cedu.php
Source
China education. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.chinaeducenter.com/en/cedu.php
Statistics
Religion
Throughout the history of China there have been three main religions. They are Confucianism, Taoism also known as Daoism, and Buddhism. Confucianism was founded in China by Confucius in the 6th-5th century BCE ("History of Chinese," 2013). Confucianism was expanded upon by Menicius and Zun Zi ("History of Chinese," 2013). Taoism was also founded in China around the 6th century B.C. It was founded by Lao-tzu. Buddhism originated in India around the 6th century BC ("History of Chinese," 2013). Buddhism found its way to China in the 2nd century BC by way of merchants, traders, and Buddhist pilgrims ("Introduction to buddhism ," 2007).
Taoism and Confucianism taught people how to act in and think in society. Taoism taught inner peace and harmony with one’s surroundings, while Confucius taught the proper way for people to behave in society ("Chinese cultural," 1995). Confucius taught about five cardinal relations. The relations were the sovereign and the subject, father and son, elder and younger brother, husband and wife, and friends ("Cultural beliefs and," 2014). Each relationship had a set of obligations. If these obligations were upheld they would result in a just and harmonious society according to Confucius (" Chinese cultural," 1995). Regarding the relationship of sovereign to subject, Confucius taught that the inferior was expected to obey and be loyal to the superior but the superior was expected to be benevolent (" Chinese cultural," 1995). Thus, from the teachings of Confucianism China developed a culture that respected elders and authority. Confucianism also taught that the family is the center and should come before the individual ("Cultural beliefs and," 2014). This teaching created a culture where the family always came first and the father as head of the household was respected and obeyed. Buddhism introduced the ideas of Karma, reincarnation, and meditation to China. This caused the Chinese people to worry about what would happen to them after death. Karma gave root to many Chinese superstitions.
Since Confucianism and Taoism were founded in China most of their holy places are in the country. One such holy place is the Confucian Temple. It was built in Qufu which is the hometown of Confucius. Qufu also has Confucius’ tomb as a holy site ("Sacred place of," 2011). Mount Taishan is a holy site for both Buddhists and Taoists. Mt. Taishan is one of five mountains symbolizing the Celestial Kingdom in accordance with the Doctrine of the Five elements under Taoism (UNESCO). It is also the location of the Divine Rock temple with its Thousand Buddhas Hall which is sacred to Buddhists (UNCESCO).
Religion has played a large role in China’s government. Confucianism taught people obedience to their ruler. This helped establish feudalism in China. In the 4th century BC Mencius expanded on Confucianism. He taught that when a king is no longer good to the people he loses the support of heaven. This teaching led to many revolts in China and the succession of new rulers. When Wu-tsung took the throne in 843 BC he persecuted Buddhists by taking Buddhist monasteries’ lands and holdings in order to help with China’s financial hardship ("History of Chinese," 2013). In the 1970s China experienced the Cultural Revolution. “During the Cultural Revolution, religion was condemned as feudalistic and thousands of religious buildings were looted and destroyed.” ("History of Chinese," 2013)
After the Cultural Revolution the people were granted freedom of religion but with a number of restrictions ("History of Chinese," 2013)
Religion in China has shaped its culture and government. Confucianism taught the people obedience. Without this cherished virtue the reign of the emperors would have ended long before. Later, the relationship of sovereign to subject led to a feudal system in China. Only when Mencius expanded Confucianism did the people stop their blind obedience and revolt against their unjust rulers. Culturally, the different religions created an emphasis on the family. They encouraged obedience to the head of the house and loyalty to their family. Buddhism began many Chinese superstitions. Religion changed China forever, both in politics and daily life.
Taoism and Confucianism taught people how to act in and think in society. Taoism taught inner peace and harmony with one’s surroundings, while Confucius taught the proper way for people to behave in society ("Chinese cultural," 1995). Confucius taught about five cardinal relations. The relations were the sovereign and the subject, father and son, elder and younger brother, husband and wife, and friends ("Cultural beliefs and," 2014). Each relationship had a set of obligations. If these obligations were upheld they would result in a just and harmonious society according to Confucius (" Chinese cultural," 1995). Regarding the relationship of sovereign to subject, Confucius taught that the inferior was expected to obey and be loyal to the superior but the superior was expected to be benevolent (" Chinese cultural," 1995). Thus, from the teachings of Confucianism China developed a culture that respected elders and authority. Confucianism also taught that the family is the center and should come before the individual ("Cultural beliefs and," 2014). This teaching created a culture where the family always came first and the father as head of the household was respected and obeyed. Buddhism introduced the ideas of Karma, reincarnation, and meditation to China. This caused the Chinese people to worry about what would happen to them after death. Karma gave root to many Chinese superstitions.
Since Confucianism and Taoism were founded in China most of their holy places are in the country. One such holy place is the Confucian Temple. It was built in Qufu which is the hometown of Confucius. Qufu also has Confucius’ tomb as a holy site ("Sacred place of," 2011). Mount Taishan is a holy site for both Buddhists and Taoists. Mt. Taishan is one of five mountains symbolizing the Celestial Kingdom in accordance with the Doctrine of the Five elements under Taoism (UNESCO). It is also the location of the Divine Rock temple with its Thousand Buddhas Hall which is sacred to Buddhists (UNCESCO).
Religion has played a large role in China’s government. Confucianism taught people obedience to their ruler. This helped establish feudalism in China. In the 4th century BC Mencius expanded on Confucianism. He taught that when a king is no longer good to the people he loses the support of heaven. This teaching led to many revolts in China and the succession of new rulers. When Wu-tsung took the throne in 843 BC he persecuted Buddhists by taking Buddhist monasteries’ lands and holdings in order to help with China’s financial hardship ("History of Chinese," 2013). In the 1970s China experienced the Cultural Revolution. “During the Cultural Revolution, religion was condemned as feudalistic and thousands of religious buildings were looted and destroyed.” ("History of Chinese," 2013)
After the Cultural Revolution the people were granted freedom of religion but with a number of restrictions ("History of Chinese," 2013)
Religion in China has shaped its culture and government. Confucianism taught the people obedience. Without this cherished virtue the reign of the emperors would have ended long before. Later, the relationship of sovereign to subject led to a feudal system in China. Only when Mencius expanded Confucianism did the people stop their blind obedience and revolt against their unjust rulers. Culturally, the different religions created an emphasis on the family. They encouraged obedience to the head of the house and loyalty to their family. Buddhism began many Chinese superstitions. Religion changed China forever, both in politics and daily life.
Sources
Chinese cultural studies: philosophy and religion in china. (1995, August). Retrieved from http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/chinrelg.html
Cultural beliefs and practices: Role of confucianism. (2014). Retrieved from http://geriatrics.stanford.edu/ethnomed/chinese/fund/beliefs/
History of chinese religion . (2013, December 16). Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/chinese_religion/history.htm
Introduction to buddhism . (2007). Retrieved from http://iis-db.stanford.edu/docs/116/Buddhism.pdf
Sacred place of confucius-kongmiao . (2011, April 28). Retrieved from http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/649669/Sacred-place-of-Confucius-Kongmiao.aspx
UNESCO. (n.d.). Mount taishan. Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/437
Chinese cultural studies: philosophy and religion in china. (1995, August). Retrieved from http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/chinrelg.html
Cultural beliefs and practices: Role of confucianism. (2014). Retrieved from http://geriatrics.stanford.edu/ethnomed/chinese/fund/beliefs/
History of chinese religion . (2013, December 16). Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/chinese_religion/history.htm
Introduction to buddhism . (2007). Retrieved from http://iis-db.stanford.edu/docs/116/Buddhism.pdf
Sacred place of confucius-kongmiao . (2011, April 28). Retrieved from http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/649669/Sacred-place-of-Confucius-Kongmiao.aspx
UNESCO. (n.d.). Mount taishan. Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/437
Cultural Diversity IN china
China is a country with a long history and therefore as a rich culture. China kept itself closed off from the rest of the world for a very long time which protected its culture from outside influences. However, in 1979 China opened up its boarders to trade and has become an important player in global trade. However, since China opened its boarders it has opened itself up to other cultures and as a result it is seeing changes in its cultural diversity.
Different aspects of western culture have begun to affect Chinese culture. There has been a change in the type of food Chinese people eat. KFC is the number one restaurant in China (PBS, 2012). Thus, China has exposed itself to other types of food it and some different types of food such as KFC has found its way into Chinese culture. Another aspect of Chinese culture that has changed due to globalization is customs in China was for women to wear a red dress on their wedding day (“Traditional chinese wedding”). However, after seeing western style wedding dresses more and more brides are choosing to forgo the red wedding dress in favor of a western styled white wedding dress.
Another tool that has influenced and changed Chinese culture is technology. The ability to be able to text and type has led to China worrying about people being able to write in Chinese characters. “Texting and typing replaces the elaborate strokes that make up written Chinese”(Demick, 2010). The China youth daily took a poll that showed that 83% of the 2,072 respondents said they had trouble writing characters (Demick, 2010). While it is unlikely that China will lose its character system it might become rarer for people to fluently be able to write with characters.
The diversity within China has changed as well. China has 56 ethnic groups with the Han-Chinese accounting for 91.59% of the population (“Chinese ethnic groups”).. Thus China has 55 minority ethnic groups making up 8.41% of the population. Many of these ethnic groups culture have been threatened by the Han-Chinese culture. The Hezhen are China’s smallest ethnic group (“Chinese ethnic groups”). The Hezhen language is almost extinct. Only older people can speak it. Since the Hezhen language has no script they have began using Chinese (“China’s minority,” 2014). The Bai are an ethnic group known for their song and dance. The Bai opera has began to absorb some of the characteristics of the Han Opera. While this is not necessarily bad it shows how the main ethnic group has influenced a major aspect of the Bai culture.
China has tried to protect its fifty-five minority ethnic groups by giving regional autonomy for minorities. There are five autonomous regions. These include Xinjiang, Guangxi, Ningxia and Tibet (“Chinese ethnic groups”). There are also townships and towns that have been set up to have autonomy. An autonomous region is allowed to deal with their own affairs with guidance from the Chinese government(“Chinese ethnic groups”).
Sources
Chinese ethnic groups. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/nationality/
China's minority peoples - the hezhens. (2014). Retrieved from http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/127Traditions9616.html
Demick, B. (2010, July 12). China worries about losing its character(s). Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/12/world/la-fg-china-characters-20100712 PBS. (2012, February 13).
Traditional chinese wedding dresses. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/14Traditions8022.html
Whys china's youth find western culture attractive. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world-jan-june12-china_02-13/
Different aspects of western culture have begun to affect Chinese culture. There has been a change in the type of food Chinese people eat. KFC is the number one restaurant in China (PBS, 2012). Thus, China has exposed itself to other types of food it and some different types of food such as KFC has found its way into Chinese culture. Another aspect of Chinese culture that has changed due to globalization is customs in China was for women to wear a red dress on their wedding day (“Traditional chinese wedding”). However, after seeing western style wedding dresses more and more brides are choosing to forgo the red wedding dress in favor of a western styled white wedding dress.
Another tool that has influenced and changed Chinese culture is technology. The ability to be able to text and type has led to China worrying about people being able to write in Chinese characters. “Texting and typing replaces the elaborate strokes that make up written Chinese”(Demick, 2010). The China youth daily took a poll that showed that 83% of the 2,072 respondents said they had trouble writing characters (Demick, 2010). While it is unlikely that China will lose its character system it might become rarer for people to fluently be able to write with characters.
The diversity within China has changed as well. China has 56 ethnic groups with the Han-Chinese accounting for 91.59% of the population (“Chinese ethnic groups”).. Thus China has 55 minority ethnic groups making up 8.41% of the population. Many of these ethnic groups culture have been threatened by the Han-Chinese culture. The Hezhen are China’s smallest ethnic group (“Chinese ethnic groups”). The Hezhen language is almost extinct. Only older people can speak it. Since the Hezhen language has no script they have began using Chinese (“China’s minority,” 2014). The Bai are an ethnic group known for their song and dance. The Bai opera has began to absorb some of the characteristics of the Han Opera. While this is not necessarily bad it shows how the main ethnic group has influenced a major aspect of the Bai culture.
China has tried to protect its fifty-five minority ethnic groups by giving regional autonomy for minorities. There are five autonomous regions. These include Xinjiang, Guangxi, Ningxia and Tibet (“Chinese ethnic groups”). There are also townships and towns that have been set up to have autonomy. An autonomous region is allowed to deal with their own affairs with guidance from the Chinese government(“Chinese ethnic groups”).
Sources
Chinese ethnic groups. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/nationality/
China's minority peoples - the hezhens. (2014). Retrieved from http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/127Traditions9616.html
Demick, B. (2010, July 12). China worries about losing its character(s). Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/12/world/la-fg-china-characters-20100712 PBS. (2012, February 13).
Traditional chinese wedding dresses. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/14Traditions8022.html
Whys china's youth find western culture attractive. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world-jan-june12-china_02-13/
Food in China
Below are images of food that people eat in China.
The image to the left is of a sweet potato. This is a common snack bought off the street in China. It is also very cheap so just about anyone can buy them. They are one of my favorite snacks to get when I go to China.
Image Source: http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2012/11/sweet-potatoes-a-chinese-winter-treat/
The image to the left is of a Mango. In China there are many fruit markets and the mango can often be found at these markets. The mango is grown in Southern China. It is used in many Chinese meals.
Image Source: http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/mangoes-are-good-for-health-but-dont-eat-too-many/1114314/
Image Source: http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/mangoes-are-good-for-health-but-dont-eat-too-many/1114314/
The image to the left is of rice. Rice has been cultivated in China since the beginning of its civilization. I chose this item because it is a staple item in the Chinese diet and is a part of many dishes.
Image Source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2013/08/02/toxin-found-in-most-u-s-rice-causes-genetic-damage/
Image Source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2013/08/02/toxin-found-in-most-u-s-rice-causes-genetic-damage/
Dim Sum is a dish that originated in China hundreds of years ago. It became a popular snack to drink with tea ("History of dim," ). Today it is a still a popular food item.
Sources: History of dim sum . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nomwah.com/history.php?id=7
Image Source: http://savingsandcravings.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/dumpling-fun-at-din-tai-fung-in-bellevue/
Sources: History of dim sum . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nomwah.com/history.php?id=7
Image Source: http://savingsandcravings.wordpress.com/2012/08/24/dumpling-fun-at-din-tai-fung-in-bellevue/
The image to the left is of a famous dish in Beijing called Peking Duck. However, it can also be found on the menu in other restaurants in China. I included this dish because it has a long history in China. It was considered a delicacy during the Quing Dynasty which began in 1644 ("Beijing roast duck ," ).
Source: Beijing roast duck . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/dinning/duck.htm
Image Source: http://www.chinatownconnection.com/peking-duck-recipe.htm
Source: Beijing roast duck . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/dinning/duck.htm
Image Source: http://www.chinatownconnection.com/peking-duck-recipe.htm
The image to the left is of tea. Tea is a popular drink in China and is a big part of their culture. It has been around for 2,000 years.
Image Source: http://camilapaulucci.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/i-wouldnt-do-that-for-all-the-tea-in-china/
Image Source: http://camilapaulucci.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/i-wouldnt-do-that-for-all-the-tea-in-china/
Famous Dish - Egg Tarts
Link to Custard Egg Tarts Recipee-http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2013/10/chinese-egg-custard-tart.html
In China there is a famous pastry called an egg tart. The egg tart has a flaky crust with a yellow egg based custard center. It was first documented to be used in a feast known as the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast for Emperor Kangxi (Chan, 2012). This dish is most famous in Hong Kong, but it is eaten in other areas of China as well (Chan, 2012).
Source:
Chan, C. (2012, July 27). Egg tarts: Yellow wobbly pleasures. Retrieved from http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2012/07/egg-tarts-yellow-wobbly-pleasures/
In China there is a famous pastry called an egg tart. The egg tart has a flaky crust with a yellow egg based custard center. It was first documented to be used in a feast known as the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast for Emperor Kangxi (Chan, 2012). This dish is most famous in Hong Kong, but it is eaten in other areas of China as well (Chan, 2012).
Source:
Chan, C. (2012, July 27). Egg tarts: Yellow wobbly pleasures. Retrieved from http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2012/07/egg-tarts-yellow-wobbly-pleasures/
Religion and Food
There are foods that are connected to Buddhism in China. When tea was first discovered in China it was used as a ritual offering. Later monks used it to help them stay awake, and as a result monasteries planted and harvested their own tea fields( "The history,"). Another food related to Buddhism is Laba Porridge. Laba Porridge, "is the focal point of the celebration on Laba Festival, the day when Sakyamuni became Buddha." ("Chinese festival food," ). The porridge is cooked, "specially to offer sacrifices to the divinities and ancestors to pray for bountiful harvests and auspicious events in the coming year on the day"("Chinese festival food," ).
Today many Chinese are not religious, but many foods are associated with the Chinese festivals. During the Mid Autumn Festival, which celebrates the harvest, moon cakes are eaten. Moon cakes are small round bean filled cakes. One New Years Eve people in Northern China eat dumplings. This is because the word for dumping in Chinese is jiaozi which sounds like a word that means saying goodbye to the hold and hello to the new ("Chinese festival food ,").
Sources:
Chinese festival food . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/food/chinese-cooking/festival-food.htm
The history of tea . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.china.org.cn/learning_chinese/Chinese_tea/2011-07/15/content_22999489.htm
Today many Chinese are not religious, but many foods are associated with the Chinese festivals. During the Mid Autumn Festival, which celebrates the harvest, moon cakes are eaten. Moon cakes are small round bean filled cakes. One New Years Eve people in Northern China eat dumplings. This is because the word for dumping in Chinese is jiaozi which sounds like a word that means saying goodbye to the hold and hello to the new ("Chinese festival food ,").
Sources:
Chinese festival food . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/food/chinese-cooking/festival-food.htm
The history of tea . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.china.org.cn/learning_chinese/Chinese_tea/2011-07/15/content_22999489.htm
Food Production
China grows a lot of its food in southern China. Southern China has a great climate to grow fruit and rice ("Regions of chinese," 2014). This is one of the reasons why a lot of the food in Southern China incorporates rice. In Northern China wheat is grown and as a result much of the food in Northern China has wheat as a main ingredient ("Regions of chinese," 2014). Many of their foods include such things as noodles, bread, dumplings, and stuffed buns. Northern China also grows soybeans, squash, cabbage, and apples so many of their dishes will include these foods as well ("Regions of chinese," 2014). In Eastern China there is the Yangtze river which has some of the most fertile land for farming a lot of rice and vegetables are grown here. In Western China contains the basin Sichuan. Sichuan is known for its chili peppers, tangerines, and mushrooms ("Regions of chinese," 2014).
Sources:
Regions of chinese food-styles/flavors of cooking. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.kas.ku.edu/archived-site/chinese_food/regional_cuisine.html
Sources:
Regions of chinese food-styles/flavors of cooking. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.kas.ku.edu/archived-site/chinese_food/regional_cuisine.html