Chinese Culture and Traditions
This section of our web site has pages covering the many Chinese customs and traditions.
Beliefs and mythology are a core part of Chinese culture so we introduce Confucianism , Daoism , Buddhism , Ancestor veneration . On the lighter side there are pages on all the many Traditional Festivals , Astrology , Everyday customs and traditions , Dragons , Chinese New Year , Deities , Feng shui , Qi (or Chi) , Traditional medicine , Yin - Yang and the Yi Jing .
The arts are also well represented: The many styles of Opera , Traditional Music , Symbolism in art , Paper-cuts , Shadow puppets and story-telling , Architecture , Jade and of course Porcelain .
We cover the many Chinese pastimes: Chinese chess (Xiang qi) , Mahjong , Game of ‘Go’ (Weiqi) , Kite flying and Tai Chi .
We also cover more general aspects of Chinese culture including: Chinese inventions , Examination system , Food in China (with separate sections on Rice and Tea ), Chinese Silk , Ancient coins and finally Why do we call China ‘China’ .
Getting by in China There are many customs and traditions that you should know before traveling to China. Our customs page covers such things as giving gifts, banquets, sealing business deals and how to behave in public. A respect for age old traditions will impress your hosts who will appreciate your efforts to embrace the culture. Read more…
Quintessence of the Nation Traditional Chinese Opera was the entertainment of all Chinese over many centuries. A long evening performance contains elements of drama, music, comedy, acrobatics and martial arts. Each region has its own distinctive form. Over time complex body movements represent specific meanings as a very sparse set is used. The art form has inspired many Western composers and playwrights to emulate the style. Read more…
Lotus The lotus is an emblem with strong Buddhist links. As the plant grows in mud and muck and yet produces a pure white flower it is considered a metaphor for favorable transformation. Read more…
Chinese Silk Along with porcelain and tea, silk is one of China's important innovations. The secret of this great invention was closely guarded for centuries. Fabulous fine cloth was an important export as far back as the early Roman Empire and it was in Rome where a law was passed to ban the wearing of silk. Read more…
Symbols and Motifs Chinese arts and handicrafts are full of hidden symbols. Bats, goldfish, peonies and bees all give a specific meaning to a painting or decoration. Exploring the world of Chinese symbolism opens up a whole new layer of appreciation. Read more…
Chinese Calligraphy The Chinese language is a treasure trove of history and traditions. The language script has been in use for over 4,000 years. Fine historic pieces by the great masters continue to achieve as high a price at auction as great paintings. To appreciate Chinese writing it is important to know how the characters are made with the brush. Read more…
Toad Frogs and toads are valued in China because they keep down insect pests on crops. In some regions their name is similar to qián 'money, coin' and this has given them an association with good fortune and luck. Read more…
Precious Jade Jade is highly valued in China, and much of Asia, above gold and diamonds. The gemstone is harder than steel and can be carved into exquisite shapes. Read more…
The standing of women in China Attitudes to women have changed greatly in China over the centuries. The traditional subservient position of women in society was removed in only the last sixty years but there yet to be a woman appointed to the top rung of government. Our section describes the role of women down the centuries including the role of concubines and how some Imperial women bucked the trend. Read more…
Imperial officials The prized job in dynastic China was as an Imperial official. As well as prosperity and a life of relative leisure an official received respect from the community. As anyone who passed the Imperial examinations could hope for such an appointment the posts were potentially open to all men. Read more…
Proverb
两 条 腿走 路
Liǎng tiáo tuǐ zǒu lù
Need two legs to be able to walk
When alternative methods are needed not just one.
All about Chinese proverbs
Old Summer Palace
The destruction of the Emperor's Old Summer Palace is still a cause of grievance between China and Britain (and France). Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables, lamented the action as an act of vandalism. However Chinese guides will not tell you of the background to the action. A party of journalists and diplomats under a flag of truce went to negotiate with the Qing forces in 1860. The delegation was imprisoned and tortured, resulting in 20 deaths, some of the corpses were hoisted up onto the city walls. It was a violent response to this action that led to the Anglo-French action. Read more…
Lucky Bats Bats are commonly used in handicrafts, paintings and artwork to give a wish for good luck. This is because 'bat' and 'good luck' sound the same in Chinese. Read more…
Convert measurements Our handy measurement convertor will not only do Chinese units to/from Metric/Imperial/U.S. measures but also between meters and feet; liters and pints. Just type in the measurement in length, volume, weight, area and let China sage calculate the accurate answer. Read more…
Chinese paper-cuts Chinese people have been making decorative objects out of paper for a very long time. Paper-cuts are often seen at traditional festivals and often have a hidden symbolic meaning. Modern artists are now taking the art-form in exciting new directions. Read more…
Southern refuge
When northern China was overrun by Khitans and then Mongols 800 years ago the Imperial Song family moved to Hangzhou . It proved to be a peaceful and prosperous time for 150 years. In memory of this period some scenes of Hangzhou are still to be found in the long corridors of the Summer Palace , Beijing.
Pantheon of Chinese gods and heroes China has a rich array of heroes, gods and goddesses to draw on. Temples are full of images of people from China's long history. Often an historical figure is over time upgraded and considered an immortal. Most depictions can be identified by the objects the deity is carrying. Some are associated with Buddhism, others with Daoism and others to no particular religion at all. Read more…
Peony The peony is a frequent art motif in China. It is considered one of the best flowers of spring and was much loved by Empress Wu Zetian . Read more…
Dadaocheng store, Taipei, Taiwan, now 100 years old, has a fine selection of Chinese medicines.
Image by 都 市 酵母 ➚ available under a Creative Commons license ➚ .