Chinese Culture and Traditions

This section has pages covering all sorts of Chinese customs and traditions. We are continuing to add more pages to this section.

Culture Index- Festivals - New Year - Calendar 2018 - Customs - Religion - Ancestor veneration - Confucius - Daoism - Buddhism - Christianity - Islam - Women - Astrology - Stars - Feng Shui - Qi - Yi Jing - Dragons - Symbolism - Bird symbols - Animal symbols - Flowers and Fruit symbols - Color symbols - Nature symbols - Assorted symbols - Architecture - T'ai Chi - Name for China - Chess - Go - Mahjong - Inventions - Exams - Medicine - Rice - Food - Tea - Silk - Performance - Opera - Music - Jade - Porcelain - Kites - Torture - Weights & measures - Money

Consult the Yi Jing

Culture

We offer a free consultation for Yi Jing (I Ching) the Chinese system for fortune telling. It uses the ancient yarrow stick method and gives full information about the 'gua' (hexagram) that is chosen. The consultation takes account of user action - it is not random. Read more…

Quintessence of the Nation

Culture

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 movements have been given specific meanings as a very sparse set is used - open on three sides. The art form has inspired many Western composers to emulate the style. Read more…

Plum

Culture

The plum is one of the earliest trees to flower and this often coincides with Chinese New Year. It is considered one of the three friends of winter for this reason. As a symbol it represents long life as the tree is long lived and takes many years to come to flower. Read more…

Chinese porcelain and china

Culture

Together with tea and silk, porcelain from China is its most famous export. Prized the world over, high quality porcelain commands high prices at auction. Like silk the secret of its manufacture was a closely guarded secret for centuries. Read more…

Symbols and Motifs

Culture

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…

The ancient art of Chinese Calligraphy

Language

The Chinese language is a treasure trove of history and traditions. This is not all that surprising as the language script has been in use for the past 4,000 years. There are more than a dozen identified script styles for writing Chinese. A good piece of calligraphy fetches as high a price at auction as a great painting. Read more…

The Chinese Stars

Culture

The Chinese system of astronomical observation is as ancient and distinctly different that as that developed in Europe and the Middle East. More emphasis was put on the moon than the sun and stars were arranged into groups according to a view of the Imperial system. Read more…

Jade - China's precious gemstone

Culture

Jade is highly valued in China, and much of Asia, above gold and diamonds. The gemstone that is harder than steel can be carved into exquisite shapes. Read more…

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