Chinese Culture Blog

clay figurine

Tangshan Yutian County clay figurine of the West Gaoqiao, Dai Jiatun area is well known clay figurine of a town. The men and women here are gentle, hard-working, intelligent people pair of hands, a pile of ordinary soil. one of their hands will become as lively and vivid, colorful, vivid, birds, insects and animals. Yutian from modeling clay figurine Mold with the Han dynasty pottery commission similar view, its very long history. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, government support and help, clay figurine art to be inherited. The end of the 1970s and the early 1980s Yutian clay figurine is the most prosperous period, various types of soil products complete, numerous colorful. In the case of other types can basically be divided into children’s toys, deportment, animals, grass - and - insect painting the four other pieces. Children representative works tumbler, Rebecca, mud rooster, low price, a strong local flavor. Opera characters not only physically, Dan, net, end, the ugly character of the various personalities modeling, but also create a “Journey to the West” “Legend of the White Snake” and other classic novels and traditional opera in the shape and colors and wit. Animals, from the Peacock auspicious symbol of the precious Danfeng, from the forests of the LTTE, the leopard to the lovely pandas, civet cats, Huagou, everything, heterogeneous. Pieces are katydid grass - and - insect painting, and dance MAEMI, turtles, Hantai can JU everybody’s favorite. Otherwise “not transfer collapsed”, using semicircle soil ball. Pulp gypsum used tire modeling heavily on light, swaying overthrown. Hebei mud playing AGB clumsy interesting, the subject matter mascot, colors happy, it was fun.

Related posts

• No related posts.

a drinking game involving the correct and mutual guessing of the figure the opponent will express with his fingers.

hua quan

The finger-guessing game of drinking have more origins, is called the treasure at all times, at the time of the finger-guessing game, hold the fist tight, purpose holds the money and valuables tight on hands. Shout ” the treasure does not appear “! The treasure does not reveal! “From Du Fu ” succeed the great merit with people wholeheartedly ” verse” wholeheartedly “; ” whether two my darling take on mountain “, until ” 2 my darling level off hilltops and rescue mother “; ” Samsung “, mean Samsung’s high license of emolument longevity of the good fortune; ” three yuans “,it have an examination township try imperial examinationses ancient, can trying on, names the previouses of final imperial examination for lasting yuan, can yuan, champion, call ” three yuan ” jointly; ” three peach gardens ” mean Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei (god of butchers) peach garden form justice three times. ” four is liked ” means four proudest things in life: “Meet with the sweet dew long and on land, meet an old friend in a distant land. At night of wedding festivities, while succeeding in a government examination. . . .

Related posts

• No related posts.

Taijiquan remains one of the world’s healthiest martial art forms
The centuries-old practice of tai chi, or taijiquan, remains a daily ritual for many Chinese, and for good reason: The exercise’s slow, careful movements offer a wealth of health benefits, from calming busy minds to relieving the body of everyday stress.
Originally used for self-defense and combat, taijiquan is now practiced primarily for exercise and relaxation. It is often associated with the circular, black-and-white yin/yang symbol, representing the Taoist philosophy of harmony between yin (the feminine and receptive) and yang (the masculine and active). Through its graceful, structured movements, taijiquan helps practitioners achieve a balance of yin and yang in their bodies, thereby improving the flow of qi, or vital energy - considered by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as essential to good health.

The basic practice of taijiquan consists in the performance of a series of movements, which together make up a “form,” each of which has a name such as bao hu gui shan, or “carry the tiger to the mountain.” Breathing and posture play key roles - the aim is to breathe slowly and deeply through the nose while keeping the back and head upright. This helps induce the body into a tranquil, meditative state, an antidote for such afflictions as stress, fatigue and overwork.
“Balance within the body has been emphasized in taiji practice all along,” says Ru Kai, a taijiquan teacher at the Capital Institute of Physical Education. “When you’re going through psychological problems, your body will show signs of this stress. Practicing taiji will ease the internal tension and troubles.”
While the exact origins of taijiquan are unclear, its start is often attributed to Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist monk at the Wu Tang monastery who, according to Ming Dynasty records, lived sometime in the period 1391-1459. According to legend, Zhang once saw a fight between a snake and a crane and was impressed by the way the snake was able to elude its larger, more powerful opponent. Utilizing his previous training in martial arts and Taoist breathing exercises, he went on to create a martial art form that echoed the snake’s balance, flexibility and speed.
From these simple beginnings more than five centuries ago, taijiquan has developed into a complex set of styles, ranging from the vigorous to the gentle. Two of the most well known today are the Chen and Yang styles; Chen incorporates more explosive, rigorous forms, while Yang - the style commonly practiced today - is characterized by soft, unforced movements.
Zou Chang, a 24-year-old taijiquan trainer and student, says that the most important thing is finding a quiet time and place to practice. “The best time to practice the softer forms of taiji is between four and six in the morning,” he says “It’s quiet then, and the body and mind are unstressed.” - Vanessa Mulquiney

Related posts

• Taoist Music (0)
• Taoist Architecture (0)
• Qingyang Palace (0)
• Qingcheng Mountain (0)
• Beijing Dongyue Temple (0)

Xiangqi has a long history. Though its precise origins have not yet been definitely confirmed, the earliest indications reveal the game may have been played as early as the 4th century BC, by Tian Wen (田文), the Lord of Mengchang (孟嘗君) for the state of Qi, during the Warring States Period. (See chess in early literature or timeline of chess.) Judging by its rules, Xiangqi was apparently closely related to military strategists in ancient China. The ancient Chinese game of Liubo may have had an influence as well.

The word Xiàngqí’s meaning "figure game" can also be treated as meaning "constellation game". Sometimes the xiàngqí board’s "river" is called the "heavenly river", which may mean the Milky Way; previous versions of xiàngqí may have been based on the movements of sky objects.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, wars were fought for years running. A new strategy board game was patterned after the array of troops (according to a hypothesis by David H. Li, this was developed by Han Xin in the winter of 204 BC-203 BC to prepare for an upcoming battle). This was the earliest form of Xiangqi.

During the Cao Wei, Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties, a kind of strategy game was popular among the people. It laid a foundation for the finalized pattern of Xiangqi. In ancient times, both highbrows and lowbrows enjoyed Xiangqi.

During the reign of Suzong of the Tang Dynasty, Prime Minister Niu Sengru wrote a fictional story about Xiangqi. That occurred during the Baoying period, so it was named Baoying. Baoying had six pieces and produced a significant influence on Xiangqi in subsequent years.

Three forms of the game took shape after the Song Dynasty. One of them consisted of 32 pieces. They were played on a board with 9 vertical lines and 9 horizontal lines. Popular in those days was a board without a river borderline; the Korean game of janggi is derived from this earlier riverless version. The river borderline was added later, and this form of the game has lasted to the present day.

With the economic and cultural development during the Qing Dynasty, Xiangqi entered a new stage. Many different schools of circles and players came into prominence. With the popularization of Xiangqi, many books and manuals on the techniques of playing the game were published. They played an important role in popularizing Xiangqi and improving the techniques of play in modern times.

Related posts

• Chinese chess : Xiangqi (0)
• Three Kingdoms (0)
• Spring and Autumn Period (0)
• Previous Period of Tibetan Buddhism (0)
• Historic Preservation (0)

Xiangqi is a two-player Chinese board game in the same family as Western chess, chaturanga, shogi and janggi. The present-day form of Xiangqi originated in China and is therefore commonly called Chinese chess in English. The first character 象 Xiàng here has the meaning "image" or "representational", hence Xiangqi can be literally translated as "representational chess". The game is sometimes called "elephant chess" after an alternative meaning of 象 as "elephant".

Xiangqi has a long history. Though its precise origins have not yet been confirmed, the earliest indications reveal that the game was played as early as the 4th century BC in China. Some sources state that the creator of Xiangqi is Han Xin. It is said that Xiangqi was created by Han Xin to prepare him for the battle against Xiang Yu.

Xiangqi is one of the most popular board games in the world. Distinctive features of Xiangqi include the unique movement of the pao ("cannon") piece, a rule prohibiting the generals (similar to chess kings) from facing each other directly, and the river and palace board features, which restrict the movement of some pieces.

Related posts

• Xiangqi’s history (0)

INGREDIENTS
2c. all purpose flour, 5oz. Chinese chive, 1 bunch mung bean noodles, a pinch of salt, dash of sesame oil

METHODS
1. Place flour in the pot, pour in 2/3c. boiling water and 1/3c cold water, add a bit of salt, knead to make a dough, then cover a wet cloth and set for 20 minutes.
2. Rinse and chop Chinese chive; soften the mung bean noodles in water, chop, mix the two kinds together, add salt and sesame oil to taste and make the filling.
3. Divide the dough into small pieces, stuff the Chinese chive filling into each small dough and shape them as a bun, press flat,then fry with a little oil in fry pan, cook until golden on both sides, then serve.

Related posts

• SIDE DISHES (0)
• MUNG BEAN CONGEE (0)
• Millet porridge (0)
• FRIED BUNS (0)

INGREDIENTS
1c. millet, 1/3c. cracked corn

METHODS
1. Wash the millet and mix with the cracked corn, soak in 7c.water for 30 minutes.
2. Bring method (1) to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cook until the millet and cracked corn soften ,remove from heat, let cool, serve.

Related posts

• Zesty Zucchini Stir-fry (0)
• Vegetable Spring Rolls (0)
• Strawberry Chicken Stir-fry (0)
• Spring Rolls With Pork and Shrimp - Cantonese (0)
• Shrimp With Chinese Greens Stir fry (0)

INGREDIENTS
1/2 bowl cooked rice, lc. hot Oolong tea

METHODS
Put the rice in the bowl, pour the hot Oolong tea, mix together and serve.

Related posts

• No related posts.

METHODS

Stewed Beef Tripe
Cook the beef tripe until soft, then add the five-spice bag and soy sauce to taste, and cook until the flavor is absorbed, slice when serving this dish.
Stewed Peanuts
Clean the peanuts, cook until done, then add the star anises and some salt to taste, cook until the flavor is absorbed.
Stewed Pressed Tofu
Place five-flavored pressed tofu into stewing sauce and cook until the flavor is absorbed, then slice when eating. If you don’t prepare the stewing sauce at home,it is suggested that using the stock together with soy sauce and star anises, and stew to flavored.

Related posts

• MUNG BEAN CONGEE (0)
• FRIED BUNS (0)
• CHINESE CHIVE CAKE (0)

INGREDIENTS
1c. mung beans, 2c.rice

METHODS
1. Rinse the mung beans, soak in water for 1 hour.
Rinse the rice and soak in water for 20 minutes.
2. Put the mung beans and rice altogether into the pot, add enough water, and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low,cook until the mung beans and rice get softened. Serve.

Related posts

• SIDE DISHES (0)
• FRIED BUNS (0)
• CHINESE CHIVE CAKE (0)