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12/27/11
10/28/11
Mooncake Festival Dice Game
Every month of September, Chinese celebrates the Moon cake Festival. One of the exciting games played during the celebration is the dice game. The game is really simple and may vary from one family to another. However, the principles and rules are universal. The important thing in the dice game is the red 4 dots. You just have to keep in mind to be able to get red 4 dots each throw and you are a sure winner.
What you'll need:
6 fair dices, 1 bowl, long table (depends on the number of players), moon cake and/or other prizes.
Mechanics:
1. Choose a starting point where the game will start. The person chosen to start the game will throw the 6 dices all at one throw into the bowl. There must be no dice thrown out of the bowl, otherwise his/her turn will be void.The bowl will be passed on to the next person sitting beside the first person and so on until the bowl reaches the starting point again and repeat the game until all prizes are consumed.
2. Determining the prizes:
a. one 4 red dots (smallest prize)
b. two 4 red dots (next smallest prize)
c. three 4 red dots (medium prize)
d. four 4 red dots (next medium prize)
e. five 4 red dots (big prize)
f. six 4 red dots (jackpot)
Special prizes:
a. if the dices that appear are the dices with dots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 it will be given a special prize usually next to the jackpot prize or if nobody has gotten the jackpot prize.
Other possible prizes:
a. Same Four/Same three numbers. If a thrower has gotten three or four identical/same numbers he/she will receive a special prize.
How will the game end?
When all moon cakes or prizes has been used up. The game master will determine how will the remaining prizes be distributed.
This version is how we play it during the first Sunday of September at the Rotary Office :)
credits to manilalife for the dice photos :)
credits to manilalife for the dice photos :)
5/3/11
Hungry Ghost Festival Myths
There are a lot of myths during the 7th moon or more commonly referred to as the Hungry Ghost Festival (or Ghost Festival).
The most popular myths are the following and the truths about them with respect to the philosophies and scriptures of Buddhism and Taoism.
Myth 1: The gates of Hell are opened during every 7th lunar month. Which means souls leave Hell and freely go to the living world.
THE TRUTH: Not all beings will be reborn in hell. Those who have earned strong negative karmas when they were alive will be the ones who will be reborn in hell. Although, when these souls have cleansed and lessen their bad karma they will again have the chance to be born in the living world. Therefore, all souls have the chance to leave hell and not only when it's the 7th month but when they have payed enough for their bad karma.
Myth 2: During the 7th month, hungry ghosts from hell roam the world freely as wandering spirits.
Hungry Ghost Festival
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| An ancient scroll of the Hungry Ghost Festival |
If the west celebrates Halloween, the Chinese also has an eastern version and it is the Hungry Ghost Festival (or simply Ghost Festival). In the lunar calendar the festival falls on the 7th moon and is commonly called as the ghost month. There is a debate on where the festival had originated. For Buddhists and Taoists in China, they claim that the festival is from the scriptures of Buddhism as to which Buddha tells that the gates of hell are opened. Others claim that it is mostly from Chinese folklore, traditions and other folk religions.
During the Hungry Ghost Festival, the Chinese family gathers all together and serves a lot of food and other offerings for the hungry ghosts so that the ghosts would not bring the family bad luck. There are a lot of superstitions during the ghost month since it is believed that ghosts (and they’re hungry) are freely wandering the living world. One superstition is that when it is already late at night and you’re walking alone, then somebody calls your name from behind, you should not look back because it is believed that the one calling you is a ghost.
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| A ghost coming back for those who have owed him when he was still alive |
Other superstitions during the Hungry Ghost Festival:
5/2/11
Pan Hu the wonderful dog and China's Sinocentrism
Sinocentrism is an ethnocentric political ideology that regards China to be central or unique relative to other countries or nations.In short, it means that the Chinese race is supreme to all other non-Chinese. There is an ancient Chinese myth/legend that provides the sinocentrism of the Chinese- the tale of the wonderful dog named Pan Hu. Pan Hu's tale made the Chinese regard the uneducated Chinese, Man people(Miao, Mao,Ming, Mang) and the Non-Chinese people (Thai, Burmese, Tibetans) as dog people. Which means they are high-breed half human dogs and because they're half-breed human they are naturally lower than the Chinese people who are "pure humans".
The tale of Pan Hu the wonderful dog in capsule form: A dog named Pan Hu marries the princess as the king had promised, after he has brought the head of the king of the neighboring kingdom. Pan Hu and the Princess had 12 sons and daughters which were regarded as the Non-Chinese people or those of the people who live in Southern China.
The Tale of Pan Hu, the wonderful dog
Thousands of years ago,
Taoism
Taoism One of the 3 major religion/philosophies in China along with Confucianism and Buddhism. Taoism (Tao is equal to way) literally means “the way of nature/virtue”. It is based on the teachings and philosophies of the Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu (Tao tse ting/ way of virtue). He is also the father of Taoism and is referred to as “the old scholar”. In Taoism, true happiness can be attained by the union of humility, patience and self-control. Taoism is generally the teaching of human ethics based on religion. The first Taoist book was written by Lao Tzu and is considered the first poetic book. Likewise, Chuang Tzu (or sometimes referred to as Chuang Chou) wrote the second greatest Taoist book. Taoism talks about the essence of life. Taoism in the late Han times is often referred to as the Yellow Turban. The Yellow Turban means Taoism promises immortality to ordinary men.
Taoists
The Taoists or people who believe and are followers of Taoism, maintained the shaman ways in the early years from the birth of Taoism during the Chou Dynasty
The Taoists do certain activities such as yoga like those of gymnastics. They also have dietary rules in which they should avoid eating cereals. Wang Chang a first century Chinese philosopher described the Taoist as people who eat the finest fruits as a means of spiritual transcendence. The “Hsien” (in spiritual transcendence) is similar to angels which means they are delicate super beings or divine beings whose skin and flesh resembles snow.
“What is my place in nature?” – “You are part of it, and you must understand it”.
- Taoism Philosophy
4/30/11
The Top Most Beautiful Women in Ancient China
Chinese Legends and Myths has included ancient beautiful women who made a lot of controversy, special events, wars, transfer of powers and others because of their magnificent beauty.
Xishi (497 BC)
Her story includes the King of Yue (Gou Jian), Prince of Fuchai (Wu) and Minister Pan Li.
Important Dates in Chinese History
BC
1766 Shang ruled the Huang Ho
1027 Chou overthrew Shang
500 Confucius Era
221-226 Qin Dynasty (Great Wall of China)
206 Han Dynasty (Confucianism was made the official philosophy)
Five Major/Basic Chinese Colors Meaning
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| Color Wheel |
The Chinese has an equivalent meaning to each and every color. There is a large difference between the symbolism of colors in the Chinese perspective from that of the Western perspective.Here are the meanings of the colors according to Chinese tradtions and philosophies.
Celebrating Chinese New Year
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| The Chinese Dragon Dance |
Myths and Legends during the Chinese New Year
The Chinese Beat Nian
It is a long head sharp horn deep sea creature but according to legend on every new year’s eve it will climb to the shore to kill livestock
Chinese Holidays and Festivals
China has a rich culture and tradition that they greatly show through their holidays and festivals. Here is the list of the holidays and festivals that are celebrated in China.
(Lunar Calendar)
1st moon
Chinese New Year equivalent to the Spring Festival
Lantern Festival- In celebration of the birthday of Yu-Huang-Shang-Ti (the Jade Emperor). Colors of the Lanterns in the Latern Festival are all red.
2nd moon
15th day which is the birthday of Tudigong who is known as the Lord of the Earth.
Birthdays
Wenchang (God of Literature)
China: At a Glimpse
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| People's Republic of China Flag |
The name China came from the “Chin” or “Qin” the 4th dynasty of China (221-206 BC). It is also the dynasty that united whole China.
Geography
Total Land Area: 9,560,980 sq. km.
North: Mongolia
South: South China Sea
East: Pacific Ocean
West: Tibet
