Posts Tagged ‘Learning Chinese’

• Pnyin – Chinese Wushu

  Date: 2009.01.24 | Category: Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Online Class, Chinese School, Chinese Tutor, Chinese language, Learn Chinese Class, Study Chinese, learn Chinese, learn Chinese online, learn Mandarin online, learn mandarin | Response: 0

  Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

  Library>Culture ABC>Sports>Traditional

  Chinese Wushu

  Wushu, or Martial Art, is an important component of the cultural heritage of China, with a rich content over the centuries. Literally, “Wu” means military, and “Shu” means art.Wushutherefore means the art of fighting, or martial arts. Martial training includes Ti (kicking), Da (punching), Shuai
  (throwing), Na (controlling), Ji (hitting), Ci (thrusting), etc. Related to each style are basic forms, or sequences, which may involve defense strategies, offense, retreat, mobility and immobility, speed and slowness, hard or soft postures, emptiness and fullness, with or without weapons.

  Wushuwas born and has steadily grown and attained perfection as an integral part of Chinese culture. As such it is bound to be influenced and conditioned by other forms of culture, first and foremost by philosophy, art and literature, and religion.Wushureigns as one of the most traditional and
  popular national sport in China, practiced by the young and old alike.

  Wushuwas originally a military training method, bearing a close relationship with ancient combats. Practical skills, such as strength training, fencing, staff sparring, spear training, etc., are still used now by policemen and soldiers. TodayWushuhas been organized and systematized into a formal
  branch of study in the performance arts and has become an athletic and aesthetic performance and competitive sport. Every movement must exhibit sensible combat application and aestheticism.

  ChineseWushuis classified into various styles according to different regions, different schools and families, as well as different fighting techniques. Routines are performed solo, paired or in groups, either barehanded or armed with traditional Chinese weaponry.Wushucan be viewed in terms of two
  categories, includingTaolu(Forms with or without weapons) andSanshou(Free Sparring).

  Taoluis a performance of set offensive and defensiveWushumovements based on ChineseWushuprinciples. It includes the following four main categories: Bare-Handed Forms, Weapon Forms, Duilian, and Group Forms.

  Duilianform consists of sets of offensive and defensive movements for two or more practitioners in mock combat routines. They usually include three groups — Bare-handed vs. Bare-handed, Weapon(s) vs. Weapon(s), and Bare-handed vs. Weapon(s). Group Forms are usually for demonstrations only and
  performed with or without weapons by a group of six or more persons.

  Wushu’s emphasis has shifted from combat to performance, and it is practiced for its method of achieving health, self-defense skills, mental discipline, recreational pursuit and competition. In 1990,Wushuwas adopted as an official medal event in the Asian Games, and since then World Championships
  have been held with 56 nations participating. NowWushuis vying for the Olympic Games in the 21st century.

  Email to Friends
  Print
  Save

  Learn Chinese, Learning Chinese, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing,

• Learn Chinese online – Sani Women

  Date: 2009.01.14 | Category: Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Online Class, Chinese School, Chinese Tutor, Chinese language, Learn Chinese Class, Study Chinese, learn Chinese, learn Chinese online, learn Mandarin online, learn mandarin | Response: 0

  Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

  Library>Culture ABC>Folk Way>Headgears

  Sani Women

  The Sani is a branch of the Yi ethnic minority.Huabaotou(colored turban) of the Sani women is still an important part of girls’ habiliment now, just like the legendary Ahshima (a goddess of love in the national myth).

  Huabaotouis usually made by ingenious girls themselves. It is about three meters long and about 0.17 meter wide. A piece of black cloth is used as the base, and on it are embroidered many colored stripes. The workmanship of the colored stripes indicates the wisdom and talent of the girls, and is
  also a criterion for a young man in his choice of his spouse.

  Hence,Huabaotouis very beautifully made. Whenever they have a happy event or go out, girls will put on their brand-new ornaments. Putting onHuabaotouis time-consuming and takes seven or eight steps. It is regarded as a symbol of freedom and happiness by the local people.

  Email to Friends
  Print
  Save

  Learn Chinese, Learning Chinese, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing,

• Learn Chinese – Han

  Date: 2009.01.14 | Category: Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Online Class, Chinese School, Chinese Tutor, Chinese language, Learn Chinese Class, Study Chinese, learn Chinese, learn Chinese online, learn Mandarin online, learn mandarin | Response: 0

  Subscribe to free Email Newsletter

  Library>Culture ABC>Folk Way>Ethnic Food

  Han

  The Han people are one with the largest population among the 56 ethnic groups inChina, and also among the those in the world. The Hans were originally referred to the residents in the central plains inChinaand were calledHuaxia. Later they gradually assimilated and merged with other ethnic groups.
  The people got the present name in theHan Dynasty (206BC-220AD).

  The Hans take grains as their staple food, with various animal foods and vegetables as supplements. The basic dietetic structure is in sharp contrast with that of the peoples in western countries and the Tibetan and Mongolian peoples inChina. The Han people have three meals a day. The combination
  of the staple food, dishes and beverages in their three meals a day shares certain common ground, yet with a series of particular features due to the different geographical, climatic, economic, productive and living conditions.

  Staple Food: Rice and wheaten food are two major types of the staple food of the Han people. In the southern and northern areas where paddy is planted, rice is the staple food; while in areas where wheat is planted, wheaten food is the staple food. Besides, other crops, such as maize, broomcorn
  millet, grains and yams, are supplements to the staple food in different areas.

  Dishes: The Han people have developed a great variety of dishes due to multiple influences.

  First, the dishes are influenced by the local features of the ingredients, for example, seafood along the southeast coast, wild plants and animals in the northern forest, and snake dishes inGuangdongProvince.

  Second, the dishes are influenced by the living conditions and people’s tastes. Food tastes of the Hans and other related ethnic groups are sweet in south, salty in north, hot in east, and sour in west.

  Third, the different demands and features of cooking methods, including the selection of ingredients, skill of cutting, seasoning, and cooking, are important factors in determining dish types. Different areas gradually developed special local dish types according to local people’s tastes, and
  finally developed typical dish series, which contribute to the richness of the dietetic culture of the Han people.

  Beverages: Wine and tea are two major beverages of the Han people.Chinais the homeland of tea, and also one of the first countries that invented the brewing techniques in the world. Both the wine and tea cultures have a long history inChina. Apart from wine and tea, some fruit products also become
  beverages in different areas and seasons.

  Foods for Festivals

  The foods for festival fall into two major types:

  One is to be offered to gods or ancestors.

  The other is special food for festivals. For example, on the eve of the Spring Festival, the Hans in the north have the habit of makingJiaozi(Chinese dumplings), while those in the south eatNiangao(rice cake). Besides, the family feasts during the Spring Festival in the Han areas should have fish,
  which symbolizes more than just enough each year. The Han people eatZongzi(glutinous rice dumpling) on the Dragon Boat Day. The Moon Cake for the Mid-autumn Day embodies blessings for the reunion and harmony of family members. What’s more, there are spring pancake and spring roll for the spring,
  sweet dumplings for lunar January 15, eight-treasure porridge for lunar December 8, and cool food for Cool Food Day, peach-shaped birthday cake and birthday rice cake for birthday celebrations.

  Dietetic Beliefs and Taboos

  In many areas, pregnant Han women must not eat rabbit meat, otherwise, they believe the baby to be born will have a harelip. In some places, they are even forbidden to eat fresh ginger, which has a multi-finger shape, for the fear of resulting in six fingers for the baby. In the past, women who
  had never born a baby usually abstained from eating dog meat, which was believed to be unclean, and might result in difficult labor.

  Email to Friends
  Print
  Save

  Learn Chinese, Chinese language, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet