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Chinese animation has a history of over 80 years, starting with the "Wan Brothers" (Wan Laiming, Wan Guchan, and Wan Chaochen) who started to produce Chinese cartoon films in the 1920s in many kinds of categories, such as puppet，paper-cut and so on.

Ink-wash animation is one of them, having first appeared in the 1960. It was a breakthrough in the form of expression and aesthetic conception in animated area. Two Ink-wash films called "Tadpoles Searching for Mother" and "Cowherd's Flute," with Te Wei as art director and Qian Jiajun as technical director developed a high reputation both at home and abroad.

The former received the Best Animated Film Prize at the First Hundred Flower Awards as well as winning five international prizes, while "Cowherd's Flute" was awarded the Golden Prize at the Odense International Fairy Tale Film Festival in Denmark.

Water ink animation reflects the thinking of traditional Chinese aesthetics. France, "Le Monde" in the commentary said: "The Chinese ink painting, scenery soft, meticulous style, and expressed concern that, indecision and happy action, the film has charm and poetry." A scholar also commended that, "This is entirely Chinese-style animation."

Little Tadpole Looking for Mummy (1960)

The film focuses on a cloud of newly born tadpoles seeking their missing mother through an oddly predator-free world. They mistake a succession of animals for their mother, garnering a new clue about their mother's appearance from each misunderstanding. A pleasant narrator explains the on-screen events slowly and clearly, making this film an excellent means of learning elementary Chinese.

This is the first of the four shorts to use the Chinese ink painting of artist Qi Baishi as a style guide, looking less like stereotypical animation and more like a museum painting come to life. Indeed, the visual novelty of the short is largely what recommends it, since the story is a relatively simple-minded affair.

However, the visuals of this film are nothing short of stunning. Once the novelty of the artistic style wears off, one can truly appreciate the incredible artistry that went into the film. It is challenging enough to paint a translucent shrimp using Chinese ink painting techniques. Animating two of them smoothly at 24 frames a second without varying the weight of the inks requires an astonishing level of technical virtuosity. The surface simplicity of the film masks a deceptive complexity.

The Cowboy's Flute（1963）

Produced in 1963, this film uses even more beautiful and detailed Chinese ink paintings to depict the charming relationship between a young cow herding boy with extraordinary flute playing skills and his faithful water buffalo. The boy falls asleep in a tree, and is soon dreaming that he has lost his buffalo. The dream sequence is delightfully whimsical, beginning with falling leaves that turn into butterflies and gradually lead the cow herder to a beautiful mist-filled valley. Here, the cow herder finally discovers his wayward animal, but the buffalo outright refuses to budge from his hiding spot, leaving the cow herder to find an alternate solution to his problem.

"The Cowboy's Flute" eschews dialogue completely, opting to tell its story entirely through the animation and the accompanying music, making it entirely accessible to a non-Chinese speaking audience. The melding of the aural and visual experiences is nearly flawless, and the painted settings are far more grandiose and ambitious than those in "Little Tadpole Looking for Mummy" The closing montage of visuals features great flocks of birds, all painted in different ink painting styles, while the music builds to a crescendo. The effect is so dazzling that it comes as a surprise when the boy awakens from his dream at the end of the film.

Feeling from Mountain and Water

Titled after a phrase for landscape painting, "Feeling from Mountain and Water" tells a simple tale of an impoverished and elderly scholar and a young girl who cares for him briefly in return for zither lessons. Any still from the movie would serve as a beautiful painting in its own right, but this would utterly lose the charm of the astonishingly beautiful animation and the deeply moving musical accompaniment. This last film uses no dialogue because there is no need for it. It bypasses language to tap into an emotional depth that can't be reached through spoken words. The majority of the film features a beautiful zither accompaniment, but some of the most moving moments of the film unfold purely through the image to the sound of rushing winds or total silence. The emotional impact of the film is undeniable. This is a genuine masterpiece of animation on every level.

The PRC uses the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes, but the Chinese lunar calendar is also important in China. Celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year-known as Spring Festival today in China-is the biggest holiday in China, and many festivals are held according to the Chinese lunar calendar, the longest chronological record in history dating back to 2600 B.C. Like the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, but the start of the lunar year is based on the cycles of the moon so that New Year Day can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. Each lunar year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals, and 2003 is the Year of the Ram. The following are the Chinese Lunar New Year dates 2002 -2014:

Horse             February 12, 2002 
Ram/Sheep     February 1, 2003
Monkey         January 22, 2004 
Rooster          February 9, 2005
Dog               January 29, 2006 
Boar/Pig         February 18, 2007
Rat                 February 7, 2008 
Ox                 January 26, 2009
Tiger               February 14, 2010 
Rabbit             February 3, 2011
Dragon           January 23, 2012 
Snake              February 10, 2013
Horse             January 31, 2014

The Chinese language is the language that has the largest number of speakers, more than 1.2 billion, throughout world.

Chinese is spoken by more people than any other language in the world. Since estimates of the current population ofChinaare only approximate, figures for the number of speakers of Chinese must likewise be approximate. An educated guess would be about 1.2 billion in the People's Republic ofChina, to which must be added another 20 million onTaiwan, 5 million inHong Kong, 4 million inMalaysia, l.75 million inSingapore, one million inVietnam, and lesser numbers in other countries including theUnited States. Thus Chinese has more than twice the number of speakers of English, though of course it lacks the universality of English and is spoken by few people not of Chinese origin. Chinese has been an official language of the United Nations since the founding of the organization in 1945.

Though Chinese has many dialects, Mandarin, based on the pronunciation ofPeking, is considered the standard and is spoken by about two-thirds of the population.

Chinese is a tonal language, meaning different tones or intonations distinguish words that otherwise are pronounced identically. The four Chinese tones are (I) high level; (2) high rising; (3) low rising; (4) high falling to low.

The biggest and earliest encyclopedia in the world is theYongle Encyclopedia(Yongle Da Dianin Chinese), complied between 1403 and 1408 in the Ming Dynasty by more than 2,000 scholars. It consists of 22,937 volumes.

Yongle is thereign name of the Ming emperor Yongle (1402-1424). The original edition of this large work was comprised of 917,480 pages -- in 11,095 bound books divided into 22,937 volumes. Produced by a commission of over two thousand scholars in 1408, it purported to record all knowledge of the Confucian canon, Buddhism, history, philosophy, astronomy, geography, medicine, and the arts. Although a printed edition was intended, multiple production of such a massive text proved prohibitive. Instead, one manuscript copy was made in 1567.

Later, the original book was lost. Some say it was buried with the Ming emperor. Then, during the Boxer Rebellion (the Siege of Peking) in 1900, the Han-Lin Academy, where the copy had been housed since the late Ming Dynasty, was set on fire. TheYongle Encyclopedia-- along with the library--was almost entirely destroyed. It is estimated that only about 400 books remain in the world, in eight different countries and regions.

The Chinese zodiac is a twelve-year cycle in which each year is associated with a specific animal. Those born during the year of a certain animal were though to share some of the qualities of that animal. The twelve animals in order are:

Rat
2008
1996
1984
1972
1960
1948
1936
1924
1912
1900

Ox
2009
1997
1985
1973
1961
1949
1937
1925
1913
1901

Tiger
2010
1998
1986
1974
1962
1950
1938
1926
1914
1902

Rabbit
2011
1999
1987
1975
1963
1951
1939
1927
1915
1903

Dragon
2012
2000
1988
1976
1964
1952
1940
1928
1916
1904

Snake
2013
2001
1989
1977
1965
1953
1941
1929
1917
1905

Horse
2014
2002
1990
1978
1966
1954
1942
1930
1918
1906

Goat
2015
2003
1991
1979
1967
1955
1943
1931
1919
1907

Monkey
2016
2004
1992
1980
1968
1956
1944
1932
1920
1908

Rooster
2017
2005
1993
1981
1969
1957
1945
1933
1921
1909

Dog
2018
2006
1994
1982
1970
1958
1946
1934
1922
1910

Pig
2019
2007
1995
1983
1971
1959
1947
1935
1923
1911

If you were born in JANUARY or FEBRUARY click here to find your zodiac animal.

Chinese Calendar
Based on the cycles of the moon, the Chinese Lunar Calendar is different than the western calendar in that the beginning of the year will fall somewhere between late January and early February (not January 1st). The Chinese adopted the Western calendar in 1911 after the fall of the Qing Dynasty but the lunar calendar is still used for Chinese New Year and other traditional Chinese festivals.

Chinese Zodiac Folklore
According to one Chinese legend the 12 animals argued as to who would be the first animal in the 12-year cycle. The gods decided to hold a contest in which the animals must cross a river. The first animal to cross the river would be the first on the chart followed by the other animals according to their finish. The rat was the smallest of the animals and was expected by the other animals to finish last. Quickly the 12 animals jumped into the river but unknown to the ox, the rat had jumped on his back. As the ox was about to jump on the riverbank to claim first place, the rat jumped off his back and won the race. The pig that was very lazy ended up last. As expected, their peers often tease most children who were born in the year of the pig.

The Twelve Animals

RAT
People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and charisma. They are perfectionists and work very hard to achieve their goals. They are very thrifty with money yet like to acquire many possessions. They get angry easily and love to gossip. They have high ambitions and are quite often very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox.

OX
People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, quiet yet inspire confidence in others. They are eccentric and temperamental. They speak little but when they do they are quite articulate. Mentally and physically alert, they are generally easy-going but can be very stubborn and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people.

TIGER
People born the Year of the Tiger are deep thinkers, very sensitive and can have great sympathy for others. They are powerful and courageous. However, they can be extremely short-tempered and don't respond to authority, especially if it's from older people. They are sometimes indecisive and have poor judgment. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs.

RABBIT
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. They are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. They are clever at business and often make the correct choices. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

DRAGON
People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust in others. They are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They never borrow money, are very straight forwarded and tend to be soft hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. They are compatible with Rats, Snakes, Monkeys, and Roosters.

SNAKE
People born in the Year of the Snake are emotionally and spiritually deep. They say little yet possess great wisdom. Snake people are often selfish and vain yet can show tremendous sympathy for others. They tend to rely on themselves because they have serious doubts about other people's judgment. They hate to fail and are determined in whatever they do. Appearing calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate creatures. Usually very good-looking in appearance, they sometimes have relationship problems because of it. They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster.

HORSE
People born in the Year of the Horse are very popular. They like to be entertained and like being around large crowds. They are wise, talented, and very good with their hands. They are cheerful, skillful with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk way too much for their own good. They are very independent and don't listen to others advice. They are most compatible with Tigers, Dogs, and Sheep.

GOAT
People born in the Year of Goat are elegant and highly accomplished in the arts. They are wise, gentle, and compassionate On the surface they appear better off than those born in the zodiac's other years but are often shy, pessimistic and often puzzled about life. They are very spiritual yet timid. They are sometimes not well spoken but are always passionate about what they do and what they believe in. Their abilities will always make them prosperous so they are able to enjoy all the comforts of a good life. They are compatible with Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses.

MONKEY
People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the zodiac. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive, original in thinking, and can solve the most difficult problem with ease. They are sometimes impatient and must do things immediately and if they cannot, they become discouraged and give up easily. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having strong common sense, they have excellent memories and a deep desire for knowledge. They are very strong willed yet do not stay angry long. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat.

ROOSTER
People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, very capable and naturally talented. They are very devoted and like to keep busy but are deeply disappointed with personal failure. They can be eccentric resulting in troubled relationships with others. They always think they are right and usually are. Being loners, they sometimes give the outward impression of being adventurous but are actually timid. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox, Snake, and Dragon.

DOG
People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They are great leaders, have a deep sense of loyalty, and are honest. They are very trustworthy because they can keep secrets. They can be very selfish and stubborn at times and can be emotionally cold and sometimes distant. They always have money but care very little for wealth. They are easy to criticize other and are noted for their sharp tongues. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

PIG
People born in the Year of the Pig are gallant and always give their best effort. They have tremendous fortitude, great honesty, and are very optimistic. They have few friends but the relationships they do have are lifelong. They are extremely loyal so their friendship is very prized by others and they are very kind to love ones. They have a great thirst for knowledge and study a great deal so they are well informed. They are quick tempered yet hate to argue. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese technique which aims to ensure that all things are in harmony with their surroundings. What the people in the Western world might refer to as the "feel" of a place (good or bad) is called the Feng Shui by the Chinese. Feng Shui is a complex combination of sound commonsense, fine aesthetics, and ancient mystical Chinese philosophy. Feng Shui applications range from the planning of entire cities to the planning and design of a single house or room. The placement of furniture, plants, or decor may impact the Feng Shui in the environment; the correct or incorrect placement of a flower in a vase may increase or disturb the Feng Shui of a building or people occupying it.

Unlike Westerners who cannot give sound reasons why an environment may feel good or bad, the Chinese system of Feng Shui will often be able to give sound reasons why a particular place or spot projects an impression of peace or unease. Having the correct Feng Shui in the office environment may enhance work flow and bring great prosperity. In the home, good Feng Shui will enhance the family members happiness and create prosperity in their chosen profession.

There can be no exact translation of the words Feng Shui (Chinese to English) since there is no true equivalent in Western terms. Feng is the Chinese word for "wind" and Shui is the word for "water". Both the wind and water flow and may offer some insight to nature of Feng Shui. Prior to the discovery of the Earth's magnetism and "lines of force", Feng Shui described a theory that there were currents of invisible energy that flowed in different directions. In Feng Shui these lines of force are called "Chi" and "Sha". Chi currents are understood to meander gently along irregular paths while Sha strike viciously in straight lines. Curved surfaces (Chi) are are good while sharp edges (Sha) are harmful. The term "Feng Shui" is somewhat modern. The original Chinese characters for feng shui were "Ham" (receiving energy from the heavens) and "Yu" (connecting earth to the rest of heavenly bodies).

Feng Shui and Chi
Chi is the universal life force and the most important component to achieving ideal feng shui. The Chinese word "Chi" translated to "breath" and is an ever present force. Good or bad Chi circulates within everything. For people, Chi is the energy that links the mind to the heart to the body to our surrounding world. A feng shui practitioner channels and enhances Chi in ones surroundings. Within the body, a Chinese acupuncturist can channel the flow of Chi for better health.

Feng Shui and Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang are the two opposites in the universe. These two force must be in balance in our environment to achieve ideal feng shui. Examples of Yin and Yang are male and female, short and tall, night and day, black and white. Everything in the universe is composed of yin and yang energies that are always interacting with each other. Feng Shui techniques are used to balance these two forces.

Feng Shui and the Five Elements or Energies
The Chinese believe that everything in the universe belong to one of five elements; wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These elements or energies are the manifestations of Chi and move in five directions; radiating outwards,concentrations inwards, rising and descending, and rotating.

Feng Shui and Sha (Sharp Energy)
Sha is known as "poison arrows" or "sharp energy" and are created by straight lines or angles in or outside the house or building. Straight lined paths such as walkways to your front door or straight driveways to your home are shas and create poor feng shui. Sha can easily be corrected by breaking up the straight line. Shas on a straight path or driveway could be fixed with shrubs, bushes, and fences. The most common way to correct indoor sha is with mirrors.

25 Feng Shui Tips
1. Water flowing to the front of a building promises good Feng Shui.
2. Large trees in front of a house are inauspicious while trees in the back of a house offer good Chi.
3. Inauspicious influences of Sha may originate from such features as telegraph poles, pointed roofs or roadways.
4. A curved roadway to a house or building is favored therefore avoiding a sharp arrow to the building. More formal building may have a straight roadway to its entrance but should use steps to block the unfavorable Sha.
5. A house and its front door should face south.
6. Doors should open inwards to allow good Chi to enter.
7. Kitchens should face east.
8. Seeing the kitchen from the main entrance way of a house may project the image of greedy homeowners.
9. In the kitchen, the cook should be able to see who's coming in. Mirrors can be used to if necessary.
10. A kitchen should have a spacious and welcoming feeling.
11. Dining room table should have rounded corners.
12.Having a large mirror in the dining room as it symbolically doubles the amount of food on the table.
13. In the living room, the backs of chairs and sofas should not face the entrance.
14. In the bedroom, a bed should not be next to the window. If it is unavoidable, space should be left between the window and bed for a chair or desk. To create a good flow of Chi, the bed should not be visible from the open doorway.
15. Beds should not be placed under ceiling beams.
16. Bedrooms should not open directly onto the kitchen.
17. A live plant can stimulate the energy in the bedroom but too many plants can use up all the valuable Chi.
18. A round mirror in the bedroom will enhance relationships.
19. The bed should be accessible from both sides if you want to attract a partner.
20. Long, straight hallways create poor feng shui.
21. There should not be three or more doorways in a straight line.
22. The toilet should be as inconspicuous as possible.
23. Bathroom doors should always be kept closed.
24. A toilet should not be close to the front door because the negative chi it causes will clash with the positive chi coming in the front door.
25. A bathroom should not be located at the end of a long hallway.

Sakyamuni - Buddha
Sakyamuni, "The Buddha", is the founder of the Buddhist faith and the deity who taught what today is referred to as Buddhism. He lived during the sixth century BC in India as Prince Siddartha, the heir to the king of Kapilavasta. When he was twenty-nine he saw an elderly beggar and realized that no one can escape their destiny. Leaving his palace, wife and son, he searched many places and many ways for the truth. He attained enlightenment at the age of thirty-five. He preached the way to attain enlightenment for the next forty-five years and died around 480 BC in Kusinagara. He showed by his personal example the way to religious salvation.

Ti-Tsang Wang
Ti-Tsang Wang is a major Buddhist deity in China. He is the Savior of Souls in the Underworld. He is the compassionate and merciful Bodhisattva, protector and friend of the dying and dead. He supports and comforts the poor and hungry.

Wen Shu Pusa
Wen Shu is one of the five great contemplative Bodhisattva and one of the twelve divine Buddhist teachers. Full of kindness and the personification of knowledge and thought, he is prayed to by monks and scholars to dispel their ignorance. He also solves difficult religious questions. He is usually shown sitting on a lion.

Yaoshi
The "Healing Teacher," Yaoshi is often known as the Medicine Buddha. His specific task is to dispense spiritual medicine to devotees and is believed by many to have the power to heal physical ailments also. He is usually shown as a seated Buddha wearing monk's robes and holding a small medicine jar representing his healing powers.

Wenshu
This bodhisattva is most often associated with wisdom, specifically the wisdom of the Buddha. He is represented wearing a crown, robes and princely jewelry and sometimes is portrayed as a young boy with his hair tied in several chignons (usually five). He holds a sword in his right hand to cut through ignorance and a lotus in his left hand, representing the knowledge of the Buddha. Often he rides a white lion whose roar symbolizes the voice of the Buddhist Law.

Xuanzang
Xuanzang is the Buddhist monk who traveled from China to India and back in the seventh century in order to learn the true teachings of the Buddha. Over 16 years he and his group of pilgrims traveled 10,000 miles across deserts and glaciers to India where he studied Mahayana Buddhism and wrote many works. He is not worshiped as a diety but is revered as a major figure in the development of Chinese Buddhism. He is usually represented as a pilgrim monk with a shaved head, a monk's robes and straw sandals. He usually carries a square backpack full of texts which also served as a sun shade for the long walk through the desert.

Yu Huang Shang Di
Also known as the Lord of Heaven (Tien Kung),Yu Huang Shang Di is a first rank mythological deity. He is the Supreme Ruler of the Heavens, of the Underworld and Protector of Humanity. All Buddhist, Taoist and popular religion deities are his subordinates. In many parts of China, he was considered too holy, too awesome and too powerful to be represented by an image and only a tablet bearing his title was placed on the altar (temple).

Zhong Kui - Ghost & Demon Slayer
Zhong Kui is the exorcist par excellence. He is a personal protector, a family household deity. His picture is hung up at the end of the year, or on the 5th day of the 5th month to scare away evil spirits and demons. He is sometimes portrayed with a black face, protruding eyes and curly back beard. He is dressed in red robe, boots and wears a traditional Chinese Governor hat. He usually holds a mystic sword which can kill the demons and ghosts. He is often portrayed accompanied by a bat. In Chinese culture, a bat symbolizes good luck and good fortune.

The origin of Zhong Kui is somewhat unclear. Below are two of the most popular versions:
It has been said that Wu Daozi of the Tang Dynasty was the creator of Zhong Kui. Emperor Ming Huang was afflicted with malaria fever which resisted all treatment. One night he had a strange dream that a big ghost dressed in blue, sporting a large hat and chasing a small ghost. Having caught it, he hollowed out the eyes and started to devour it. The emperor addressing the ghost asked who he was. "I am Zhong Kui, one of those who failed at the palace examination. Now my mission in life is to exterminate all the world's evil spirits." He then vanished without a trace. Upon waking the emperor's ailment was completely cured. He told We Daozi about his dream and commanded him to record it in a painting.

Another version of Zhong Kui's origin is that he is a scholar who lives with his sister in the mountains of Western China. He greatly wished to attend the state examinations but lacked the money for the journey. A rich benefactor gives him money for the long journey along with a sword. On his way to the state exam, he comes across a temple who's monks are feasting in celebration. Getting drunk, he swears at the monks and spoils the feast. In a drunken rage he screams "If demons can harm men, they should be destroyed, not honored with a feast such as this." The spirits in hell complain to Guan Yin who pardons Zhong Kui but the Buddha decides he must be punished. While drunk and passed out he is attacked by demons who alter his appearance by turning his face black and giving him a comical beard. Zhong Kui eventually takes and passes the examination but is turned down for service due to his hideous appearance. In shame, he commits suicide. Once in hell, he is admired for his hatred of demons and is given an army of soldiers to help him slay demons. Some stories say he is the guardian to the bridge leading into the underworld.

Hsi-Fang San Sheng - Three Saints from the West
The group of Hsi-Fan San Sheng is known as the Three Saints from the West. They include O-Mi-To-Fu in the center, Ta Shih Chih on his left hand and Guanyin on his right. This Trinity is widely revered as deities who can save people after death by bringing them to the Western Heaven. The images often cannot be differentiated, but their usual characteristics are that Ta Shih Chih holds a lotus flower with a long stem, Kuanyin holds a vase and O-Mi-To-Fu has a swastika on his chest.

Kuan Yu
Kuan Yu (Guan Yu, Kwan Kung), AD 160-219, is the best known god and revered through out all Chinese communities. A historical hero and warrior, he is all things to all Chinese, not only prayed to for protection and prosperity, but also to solve all problems: personal, domestic, national and universal. He is often prayed to by policemen to help deliver justice and for courage, and businessmen for prosperity.

Lohans
Lohans are the Worthy Ones or Enlightened Beings. They are semi-deities, saints who have achieved enlightenment through Buddhist practices and now await the arrival of Maitreya who will return to Earth after several millennia at which time the Luohans will assemble and collect together all the relics of Sakyamuni, the Buddha, for final cremation. All will then pass into perfect Buddhahood.

Lu Yu
Lu Yu (733-804) wrote the first comprehensive work on tea known as the Ch'a Ching or Tea Classic. Tea drinking had become widespread and he began to investigate the process and its history. He began writing The Tea Classic in 760 and the book was published in 780 making him an instant celebrity.

Men Shen - Door Gods & Household Protectors
Men Shen, the Door Gods or Door Generals, are regarded as the Spirit Guardians of an entrance to a home, temple or other place. They are either painted or carved on temple doors or are printed on paper and pasted on the outside of front doors. They are normally shown as fierce, heavily armed soldiers holding a long-handled axe or sword and standing in a threatening pose. They stay on watch guarding against demons and permit the family to sleep peacefully without being troubled by dreams of demons.

Mi-Lo-Fu
Mi-Lo-Fu is the successor to Sakyamuni (the Buddha) and is one of the most important Chinese Buddhist deities. He is both a Buddha and a bodhisattva. He is the Buddha of the Future or the Buddhist Messiah, and currently is a bodhisattva waiting in the Tushita Heaven, the place where future Buddhas live, for the time to appear as Buddha in this world. In obedience to Sakyamuni's instruction, he will descend to establish the great era of peace. He usually is depicted as having a bald head, long ears, a smiling face, and a very big belly. Sometimes he is shown as a bodhisattva wearing a crown and jewelry.

Pa Hsien - The Eight Immortals
The Pa Hsien, also known as 8 immortals, are a group of eight gods that have been recognized since the thirteen century AD, and have developed individually over previous centuries. The Eight are a colorful, cheerful, mixed bunch, heroes and heroines of a multitude of adventures, travels and escapades, who use their magic to counter all evil influences. The Eight are:

-Chang Kuo-lao
-Lu Tung-pin
-Chung-li Chuan
-Li Tieh-Kuai
-Lan Tsai-ho
-Ho Hsien-ku
-Han Hsiang-tsu
-Tsao Kuo-chiu

Pu Hsien Pusa
Pu Hsien is one of the twelve divine Buddhist teachers. He is the Bodhisattva of Universal Grace and Compassion. He was claimed by the Lama or Tantric school of Buddhism as the founder of yoga. In Tibet he was called Kuntuzombo. He is usually shown sitting on a white elephant.

Puxian
The god of universal knowledge and bounty and represents compassion and the law of Buddha. He is usually standing at Shakyamuni's right with Manjushri at the left. He usually appears as a bodhisattva with a crown, princely robes and jewelry and often rides an elephant.

This Chinese gods glossary contains brief descriptions of popular and famous characters found throughout Chinese culture and religions. Updates are frequent.

Amituo
The Buddha of "Infinite Light" Amituo is one of the most compassionate figures in Buddhism. He is often depicted seated in the lotus position with his hands in his lap in a meditational pose with fingers and thumbs touching.

Chi Kung
Chi Kung is an extremely popular Buddhist deity worshipped China-wide. Chi Kung speaks out on behalf of the weak and was much loved by the common people. He is usually shown barefoot, wears patched and tattered robes as a beggar, carries a bottle of wine and a fan with which he can perform magical feats.

Damo dashi (Ta-Mo)
Also known as Bodhidharma, Ta-mo was an India Buddhist missionary in about 526AD who became the Fist Patriarch of Eastern (Chinese/Japanese) Buddhism. Taoist priests claim that Ta-mo was an Immortal from the Taoist Western Heaven. He is the founder of the Zen (Meditation School) in China. He is usually shown with large round eyes, black skin, thick eyebrows and a thick moustache, with one foot bare and the other wearing a sandal. The other sandal is held in his hand.

Four Heavenly Kings
According to the Buddhist scriptures, the mountains, rivers, forests and space of the human world are protected by the four guardian kings of the world. According to 'Creation of the Gods', a Ming dynasty novel, each king was actually a general of the Mo family. After their death in the battlefield, they were sent to the west and made kings after Jiang Ziya opened a board for entitling the gods. Images of the Four Kings are frequently used at Buddhist temples to protect the main god of the temple from evil spirits.

Fu Lu Shou San Hsing
Fu Lu Shou San Hsing are 3 Stellar Deities of Happiness/Fortune, Affluence and Longevity. They are frequently seen in Chinese homes. Pictures of them are extremely popular as symbols of all that Chinese wish for themselves. The 3 Deities individually are:
-Fu Hsing: The God of Happiness and Fortune. He carries a scepter.
-Lu Hsing: The God of Affluence and Official Rank (career). He Carries a small boy.
-Shou Hsing: The God of Longevity. He carries a staff and a peach. is portrayed as an old man with a bald head and a very high forehead.

Fu-Te-Cheng Shen (Tu-Ti Kung)
Fu-Te-Cheng Shen is also named as Tu-Ti Kung is the Earth God. He is very a very popular deity in Chinese communities. He is a guardian of the peace and like a police man, responsible for a fixed area to the next higher authority. People appeal to their Earth God for anything that affects their lives and livelihoods. His other role is as the Wealth God. He protects the wealth of a family and home. Some businessmen revere him in their place of work as the Earth God and Wealth God to help with business ventures. People worship him every 1st and 15th day of Chinese Calendar month.

Gate Guardians
Gate Guardians stand on either side of the main southern gate of a temple to ward off evil spirits or thieves. They are believed by Buddhists to represent two opposing forces of the universe. Garbhavira is placed to the right as one enters the temple. Vajravira is on the left.

Guanyin (Kuan Yin)
Since the tenth century, worship of Guanyin was widespread in Chinese Buddhism. Her history as a Bodhisattva goes back to Buddhism in India and beyond where she was a male deity with the original India title of Avalokitesvara meaning "The God who looks in every direction." Commonly known to Chinese now Guanyin as the Goddess of Mercy, she is the most popular of the deity on Chinese altars, trusted and loved by all Chinese people. She is the personification of the Merciful who hears those who call upon her and helps them even to lead them to the peace and happiness of the Western Heaven of O-Mi-To-Fu. Guanyin is a savior with boundless compassion, a comforter of the sick, lost, senile, frightened and unfortunate.

Guardian Kings (Sitian wang)
These four kings guard the four cardinal points of the world and are protectors of the Buddhist law. They are: Vaishravana, "He who is knowing," and holds a pagoda and a staff. Dhrtarastra; "He who maintains the kingdom of the law," is blue or green in China. He usually holds a sword in one hand; Virudhaka, "He who enlarges the kingdom," is red in China and green in Tibet. He usually holds either a sword or lance; Virupaksha, "He who observes all things in the kingdom," is white in China and often holds either a lasso or a sutra.

The Three Emperors
According to legend the "Three Emperors" are credited for creating the Chinese culture. All three emperors were probably not individuals but dynasties.

Emperor Fu Hsi
The first emperor, Fu Hsi is thought to have created the beginnings of the Chinese culture and the I Ching. He established kingly rule, marriage laws, and the computation of time by inventing the calendar using a knotted cord.

Emperor Shen Nung
The second Emperor was Shen Nung, was the god of husbandry and the first farmer and founder of natural medicine.

The Yellow Emperor Huang Ti
The third Emperor is Huang Ti, "The Yellow Emperor." He was the founder of China in the heartland of the Yellow River basin and extended the frontiers in the west to the deserts and mountains, and to the Yangtze River to the south. He is revered as the inventor of civilization and is the most famous of the culture heroes of Chinese mythology. He domesticated cattle and horses, invented the wheeled vehicle, pottery, pestles and mortars, bows and arrows, armored boats, and instituted copper coins as a form of currency. He is regarded by many Taoists and the "First Master" and was the first human to ascend to transcendency. Many believe he created Taoism some thousand years before Lao Tzu or was taught Taoism by one of many incarnations of Lao Tzu.

Around the time of the early Zhou Dynasty (1066-256 BC), China developed a fixed and ordered state system with refined religious customs. Service to the imperial ancestors moved into the foreground and the state was modeled on the family.

Taoism
Tao originated around 600 BC. According to legends, the philosopher Tao Tzu revealed the Tao a hermit in the Szechwan province named Chang Tien-shih. Taoism teaches two fundamental concepts: the first that before creation of the sun, moon, earth, stars and universe that there was a period of great chaos, and second that complementary opposites exist in everything (Yin and Yang).

From 490 BC onwards the state power rapidly weakened and there was a corresponding rise in the power of local rulers. The epoch of the "Warring States" (475-221 BC) saw power struggles and states of anarchy, and in religious terms was also a time of great turbulence. The ancient Chinese religions loss of certainty was brought about by Confucianism's attempts to renew in particular the state religion.

Confucianism
Kung Tzu known better as Confucius (552-497 BC) is the most famous of all Chinese philosopher sages and lived just before the beginning of the period known as the Warring States. Confucianism became the main philosophy of Chinese during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD).

The Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) saw the rise of a strong central power once more.

Buddhism
Indian Buddhism spread slowly into China starting in the 1st century AD and gained influence during the later Han dynasty (2nd century AD). The three forms of Chinese Buddhism are: Han (1st century AD), Tibetan Buddhism (7th century AD), and Pali Buddhism (6th-7th Centuries AD).

The Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) greatly promoted Confucianism as its main cultural philosophy and in the first century AD, Buddhism advanced into China as trade and cultural ties between Chinese and Central Asia increased. The Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) gave China a period of cultural glory, while the Sung Dynasty (960-1260/78) represented the pinnacle of Chinese art and science, and once more promoted Confucianism.

The Mongolian Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) promoted Buddhism.

The Ming Dynasty (1369-1644) attempted to bring mutual influences between Confucianism, and Taoism as well as Buddhism in China with the idea of attaining the humanity of Confucius through Taoist and Buddhist meditation.

The Qing dynasty, the final Chinese imperial dynasty (1644-1911) saw a time of political and religious unrest beginning in the early 19th century. The subsequent civil war and new regime sought a partial restoration of old religious ideas, but since Mao Tse-tung took power in 1946-49 and religion in general was forced into the defensive. Maoism is generally antireligious but has at times has made unusual links to some forms of Ancient Chinese thought.