Culture – Page 3 – Will Blog

Do Chinese People Know Ancient Chinese Characters?

In China’s long history, writing, as an important carrier of cultural inheritance, has evolved through multiple stages including oracle bone inscriptions, bronze inscriptions, small seal script, official script, and regular script. This evolution not only reflects the profound heritage of Chinese civilization, but also reflects the unique charm of Chinese characters as one of the oldest scripts in the world. Regarding the question “Can current Chinese people still understand the Chinese characters of the past?”, the answer is not generalizable, but depends on a variety of factors, including personal educational background, interests and hobbies, depth of research, and the specific “past” “Chinese characters” era, etc. Here’s an in-depth look at the issue.

Universality and particularity of the evolution of Chinese characters
Universality:
Although Chinese characters have undergone significant changes in form from oracle bone inscriptions to modern Chinese characters, their basic character construction principles and character creation methods such as pictography, referring to things, understanding, and pictophonetic sounds have been retained to a large extent. This continuity allows modern people, when learning Chinese characters, to trace back to earlier character forms through their understanding of modern Chinese characters, thereby understanding the cultural meaning and historical background behind them.
Particularity:
However, the morphology of Chinese characters in different historical periods is significantly different, especially the writing style and stroke structure of early oracle bone inscriptions and bronze inscriptions are very different from modern Chinese characters. These words often require professional knowledge and training to accurately identify and understand. Therefore, it may be difficult for non-professional researchers or people without relevant training to directly read and understand these ancient texts.
Modern Chinese people’s cognitive ability of past writing
The influence of educational background
In China, the basic education system generally includes the teaching of the history and evolution of Chinese characters, which provides students with a certain basic knowledge of Chinese characters. Through classroom learning, students can understand the evolution of Chinese characters from oracle bone inscriptions to modern Chinese characters, as well as the characteristics and representative works of Chinese characters in each period. This kind of education has given many modern Chinese people a certain knowledge and understanding of the Chinese characters of the past.
Interests and research depth
In addition to basic education, some individuals or scholars who have a strong interest in ancient culture, history, archeology and other fields will further study and learn ancient Chinese characters. They continue to improve their understanding of ancient Chinese characters by reading ancient books, visiting museums, and participating in academic seminars. These people tend to have higher abilities in identifying and understanding Chinese characters from the past.
Assistance by technological means
With the development of science and technology, modern people have also received more help in identifying and understanding ancient Chinese characters. For example, digital technology has allowed a large number of ancient documents to be preserved and displayed. Through electronic devices and professional software, people can easily check and compare Chinese character forms in different historical periods. In addition, artificial intelligence and machine learning technology have also been applied to the field of Chinese character recognition, providing researchers with powerful tool support by training models to identify and analyze ancient Chinese characters.
Challenges and Solutions
Challenges faced
High professional threshold: For non-professional researchers, directly reading and understanding ancient Chinese characters requires a high level of professional knowledge and skill reserves.
Scarcity and protection of documents: Some ancient documents have been seriously damaged or lost due to their age, making research difficult.
Language barrier: Ancient documents often contain a large number of ancient Chinese vocabulary and grammatical structures, which are quite different from modern Chinese, making it more difficult to understand.
Solution
Strengthen education and training: increase the teaching content on the history and evolution of Chinese characters in the basic education stage to cultivate students’ interests and basic abilities; at the same time, provide more professional training and resource support for individuals or scholars who are interested in in-depth study of ancient Chinese characters .
Utilize scientific and technological means: Give full play to the advantages of modern scientific and technological means such as digitalization and artificial intelligence to promote the identification, arrangement and research of ancient Chinese characters; at the same time, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation and share research results and resources.
Protection and inheritance: Strengthen the protection and restoration of ancient documents to ensure that they are well preserved and passed on to future generations; at the same time, we will popularize the knowledge of ancient Chinese characters through holding exhibitions, lectures and other activities to improve the public’s cultural literacy and cognitive level.
Conclusion
Today’s Chinese people’s understanding of past Chinese characters is diversified. It is affected by personal education background, hobbies and research depth, and also benefits from the assistance of modern scientific and technological means. Although there are certain challenges and difficulties in directly reading and understanding ancient Chinese characters, by strengthening education and training, using scientific and technological means, and strengthening protection and inheritance, we can continue to improve our understanding of ancient Chinese characters.

Not All Chinese Are Atheists

The statement that Chinese people are atheists is not entirely accurate, because China’s religious beliefs and philosophical concepts are relatively complex and diverse. The following is a detailed analysis of this issue:

I. Historical and cultural background
Coexistence of multiple religions: China has always been a country with multiple religions, including Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc. These religions have deep historical roots and extensive influence in China, and they each have their own unique system of gods and beliefs. Therefore, Chinese people cannot be simply attributed to atheists.
The influence of Confucianism: Confucianism occupies an important position in traditional Chinese culture. It emphasizes people’s moral cultivation and social responsibility rather than the worship of supernatural powers. Although Confucian classics such as “The Analects” and “Mencius” mention concepts such as “Heaven” and “Emperor”, these concepts refer more to symbols of natural laws or moral laws rather than specific gods. This characteristic of Confucianism makes Chinese people pay more attention to practicality and ethics in religious beliefs, rather than mystery and supernaturalism.
Communist ideology: Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, China has implemented the ideology of communism, which has affected people’s religious beliefs to a certain extent. Communism emphasizes atheism and materialism, and opposes all forms of religious superstition and worship of gods. However, this does not mean that all Chinese people have fully accepted this concept, but that under the guidance of official ideology, atheistic ideas have been widely spread and popularized in China.

Diversity of religious beliefs
The popularity of Buddhism: Buddhism has a long history and a wide range of believers in China. Buddhist teachings emphasize concepts such as cause and effect, reincarnation, etc. These concepts meet people’s belief in supernatural powers to a certain extent. At the same time, Buddhist practice methods and meditation culture are also deeply loved and respected by the Chinese.
The inheritance of Taoism: As a native religion of China, Taoism has distinct Chinese characteristics in its system of gods and practice methods. Taoism emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, as well as the realm of immortality and enlightenment through practice. These concepts occupy an important position in Chinese traditional culture and have also attracted a large number of believers to follow.
The richness of folk beliefs: In addition to mainstream religions such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, there are also rich folk beliefs and worship of gods in China. These beliefs are often closely related to regional culture, folk customs, etc., and have strong local characteristics and folk colors. For example, Chinese people generally believe in folk gods such as the God of Wealth and the Kitchen God, believing that they can bless the family with peace and wealth.
The spread and influence of atheism
The promotion of official ideology: Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government has always emphasized the ideology of atheism and materialism. The promotion of this ideology has made atheism widely spread and popularized in China. However, this does not mean that all Chinese people have fully accepted this concept, but that under the guidance of official ideology, atheism has become one of the mainstream thoughts in Chinese society.
The influence of the education system: China’s education system has also influenced people’s religious beliefs to a certain extent. In school education, atheism and materialism are taught as one of the important teaching contents. This way of education makes it easier for the younger generation to accept atheism in the process of growing up.
The promotion of social change: With the continuous change and development of society, people’s religious beliefs are also changing. In modern society, more and more people are beginning to pay attention to their personal spiritual life and inner world, and no longer rely solely on traditional religious beliefs to meet their spiritual needs. This change has promoted the spread and development of atheistic ideas to a certain extent.
IV. Conclusion
To sum up, it is not accurate to say that Chinese people are atheists. China is a country where multiple religions coexist, and people’s religious beliefs are relatively complex and diverse. Although atheistic ideas have been widely spread and popularized in China, there are still a large number of people who believe in religions such as Buddhism and Taoism as well as folk beliefs. Therefore, when exploring the religious beliefs of the Chinese people, we should adopt a more comprehensive and objective attitude to recognize and understand this phenomenon.

At the same time, we should also see that whether it is religious or atheist, we should respect each other’s choices and freedom of belief. In a diverse and inclusive society, we should encourage people to choose their own beliefs and lifestyles according to their inner needs and values.

Jackie Chan’s Autobiography “I Am Jackie Chan”

In this bizarre and ever-changing entertainment industry, there is a person whose name is like a bright star, illuminating the sky of the Chinese and even the world film industry. He is Jackie Chan, a martial arts superstar who writes legends with sweat and persistence, and a pioneer who perfectly combines Chinese Kung Fu with film art. Below, I will tell the story of my growth, changes in my heart, and my outlook for the future in the first person.

A fledgling: the struggle history of a martial arts boy

I was born in an ordinary family in Hong Kong and have been interested in martial arts since I was a child. At that time, I may not have realized that this love for martial arts would become the most precious wealth in my life. At the age of seven, I became a disciple of Master Yu Zhanyuan and began a ten-year training as a Peking Opera martial artist. During those days, although it was extremely hard, I got up at five in the morning to practice martial arts, and practiced somersaults, punching, and kicking day after day, but it was these rigorous trainings that laid a solid foundation for my martial arts and tempered my indomitable will.

In 1971, I officially entered the film industry and became a martial artist. At first, I only played some inconspicuous small roles in the movies, and even played a small role without lines. But I didn’t complain or slack off at all, because I knew that every shot and every performance was a test and exercise of my ability. I cherish every opportunity to be on camera, carefully figure out the role, and strive to improve my acting skills and martial arts level.

Emerging: The pioneer of kung fu comedy

In 1978, I ushered in a turning point in my career. With the support of director Lo Wei, I starred in the movies “Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow” and “Drunken Master”. These two films quickly became popular with their unique kung fu comedy style, allowing me to emerge in the Hong Kong film industry. My wonderful performance in the film not only won the love of the audience, but also won the recognition of the industry. My original “Jackie Chan-style” Kung Fu comedy combines traditional Chinese martial arts elements with humorous plots, breaking the dullness and monotony of traditional Kung Fu films and bringing a new viewing experience to the audience.

Since then, I have become synonymous with Kung Fu comedy. In the following years, I starred in classic films such as the “Police Story” series and the “Project A” series. Each work is full of thrilling fighting scenes and fascinating storylines. With my outstanding performance and unremitting efforts, I gradually established my position in the Hong Kong and even Asian film industry.

Going to the world: the rise of international superstars

In 1995, I successfully entered the Hollywood market with the movie “Rumble in the Bronx”. This film not only achieved impressive box office results in the United States, but also made me famous in the international film industry. Subsequently, I starred in Hollywood blockbusters such as the “Rush Hour” series and the “Shanghai Noon” series, and starred with international superstars such as Chris Tucker and Owen Wilson. My outstanding performance in these films not only won the love and recognition of foreign audiences, but also made me the first Chinese actor to be widely recognized in Hollywood.

While going global, I have never forgotten my roots and culture. I have always been working hard to incorporate Chinese elements into my films, so that the world audience can understand and know China through my works. Whether it is the dubbing of the golden monkey in “Kung Fu Panda” or the protection of national treasures in “The Chinese Zodiac”, I have tried my best to convey Chinese culture and values.

IV. Mental journey: the transformation from a martial arts star to a cultural ambassador

Looking back on the past few decades, I have experienced countless ups and downs and twists and turns. But it is these experiences that have made me more mature and strong and made me cherish every achievement and honor in front of me. I know that I am not only an actor but also a cultural disseminator and ambassador. I have conveyed Chinese stories, Chinese culture, and Chinese spirit to audiences all over the world through the platform of movies.

In addition to my acting career, I have also actively participated in public welfare and social activities. I established the Jackie Chan Charity Foundation to help those in need. Whether it is the earthquake-stricken areas or the impoverished mountainous areas, you can see me and my team busy. I know that everything I have is given by the society, so I always give back to the society and the public with a grateful heart.

V. Future Outlook: Keep moving forward and don’t forget your original intention

I have infinite vision and expectations for the future. I know that I still have a long way to go and many challenges to face. But I believe that as long as I keep my original intention and stick to my dream, I will be able to overcome all difficulties and achieve my goals and ideals.

In the days to come, I will continue to focus on my acting career and strive to bring more excellent works and wonderful performances to the audience. At the same time, I will continue to devote myself to public welfare and social activities and use my power to influence and change more people. I believe that as long as we are kind and courageous, we will be able to create a better and more harmonious world together.

VI. Conclusion: Gratitude and inheritance

Finally, I would like to thank all those who have supported and helped me. Thank you to my family, they have always been my strongest backing; thank you to my director, producer, screenwriter and crew colleagues, who have created these classic works with wisdom and sweat; thank you to my fans and audiences, it is their constant support and encouragement that gives me the motivation and confidence to keep moving forward.

At the same time, I also hope that my story can inspire more people to pursue their dreams and ideals. No matter how great the difficulties and challenges are, we must maintain our perseverance and courage. Because only in this way can we continue to move forward on the road of life.

Chinese Valentine’s Day: Qixi Festival

Among the many traditional festivals in China, the Chinese Valentine’s Day, with its unique romantic color and profound cultural heritage, has become a festival that symbolizes love and loyalty in the hearts of countless people. This day not only carries the beautiful legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meeting across the Milky Way, but also integrates rich folk activities and customs, weaving a series of touching love paintings.

The Chinese Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, the date of the Chinese Valentine’s Day changes every year due to the conversion relationship between the lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar. Taking 2024 as an example, the corresponding Gregorian calendar date of the Chinese Valentine’s Day is August 10, Saturday, Beijing time.

The legend of the Chinese Valentine’s Day: the love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl
The Chinese Valentine’s Day, also known as the Qiqiao Festival and the Daughter’s Day, can be traced back to the ancient worship of stars. After being polished by folk legends, it gradually evolved into an important festival with love as the theme. The most well-known is the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

According to legend, a long time ago, there were two gods in the sky. One was the hardworking and kind-hearted Cowherd. Because of his poor family background, he was only accompanied by an old cow; the other was the beautiful and intelligent Weaver Girl, who was good at weaving brocade and was the best in the heavenly palace. One day, the Weaver Girl came down to earth to play, met the Cowherd and fell in love at first sight. The two of them, despite the prohibition of the Heavenly Court, secretly married and lived a happy life of the man farming and the woman weaving. However, the good times did not last long. The Queen Mother learned about this and was furious. She separated the two with the Milky Way and only allowed them to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month at the Magpie Bridge.

From then on, every year on the night of the Qixi Festival, countless magpies flew over and built a magpie bridge across the Milky Way with their bodies, allowing the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to meet again. This night, not only was the sky bright with stars, but the world was also full of romance and warmth. People looked up at the stars and prayed for the pair of unfortunate mandarin ducks, hoping that their love would be eternal.

As the traditional Chinese Valentine’s Day, the Qixi Festival not only carries the beautiful legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, but also integrates rich and colorful folk activities and customs. These customs and celebrations have their own characteristics due to differences in regional culture, and together constitute the rich and colorful cultural connotations of the Qixi Festival. The following is a detailed explanation of the customs of the Qixi Festival and the celebrations in various places.

Common customs of the Qixi Festival
Threading a needle to pray for dexterity
Threading a needle to pray for dexterity is one of the most classic customs of the Qixi Festival. It originated in the Han Dynasty and was popular during the Southern Dynasties. It is the earliest way to pray for dexterity. There are two forms of threading a needle: one is that on the night of the Qixi Festival, the girls gather under the moonlight and use the moonlight to thread the needle. The girl who can thread the needle is the one who is clever; the other is that at noon on the Qixi Festival, the girls throw the needle on the water and observe the shadow of the needle in the water to see if they are clever. This is called floating needle or throwing needle. Threading a needle to pray for dexterity is not only an opportunity for girls to show their craftsmanship, but also a manifestation of their prayers for dexterity and wisdom from the Weaver Girl.
Happy spiders respond to cleverness
Happy spiders respond to cleverness is also a unique custom, which originated from the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. On the night of the Qixi Festival, girls will put some small spiders in the house, and then use needles and threads to make some small web-like objects and place them next to the spiders. If the spider can weave a web on the web object, it means that the girl is very talented and intelligent. The origin of this custom is that when the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl met, a little spider made a rainbow bridge for them.
Throwing a needle to test the dexterity
Throwing a needle to test the dexterity is another way to test whether a girl is clever. On the night of the Chinese Valentine’s Day, girls will put a small grass stick or a silver needle in a basin of clear water, and then see if they can float up or sink down. If they can float up or sink down, it means that the girl is very clever; if not, it means that the girl is not clever enough.
Planting for children
Planting for children is a custom of praying for offspring. On the night of the Chinese Valentine’s Day, married women will plant some crops such as wheat and beans in the yard, and then pray for healthy children. The meaning of this custom is to hope that the offspring can thrive like the crops.
Celebrating the birthday of the cow
Celebrating the birthday of the cow is a custom of thanking the cowherd. On the night of the Chinese Valentine’s Day, farmers will feed their cows with delicious grass, bathe them, comb their hair, hang ribbons, etc., to show their respect and gratitude to the cowherd. Because according to the legend, the old cow sacrificed itself to help the cowherd cross the Tianhe River to see the Weaver Girl, so that the cowherd could make shoes with its skin.
Eating Qiaoguo
Eating Qiaoguo is one of the customs to celebrate the Qixi Festival. On the night of Qixi Festival, every household will make some delicious cakes, such as shortbread, dumplings, glutinous rice balls, etc., and then share them with relatives and friends or enjoy them themselves. These cakes are usually decorated with various colors and shapes, implying auspiciousness and beauty. Eating Qiaoguo means hoping that you can be as sweet and happy as Qiaoguo.
Appreciating morning glory
Appreciating morning glory is a custom of appreciating natural beauty. The flowers of morning glory are red, white, purple and other colors, and are shaped like a star. The flower language of morning glory is loyal and eternal love, and it is also a witness to the meeting of the cowherd and the weaver girl. Therefore, on the night of Qixi Festival, people will go to appreciate morning glory and pin their yearning for beautiful love.
Worship the Tianhe
Worshiping the Tianhe is a custom of praying to the gods in the sky. The origin of this custom is that the Milky Way is where the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meet. People worship the Milky Way and pray to the gods in heaven to bless their love to be smooth and long-lasting.
Make a wish and promise
Making a wish and promise is a custom of expressing wishes and promises. On the night of the Chinese Valentine’s Day, lovers will make their wishes and promises to each other under the moonlight, such as loving each other forever and growing old together, and then tie their fingers or wrists together with red thread or ribbons, implying loyalty and mutual understanding.

The ways of celebrating the Chinese Valentine’s Day in various places are rich and colorful, deeply influenced by local culture and traditional customs. The following is a detailed explanation of the ways of celebrating the Chinese Valentine’s Day in different regions:

I. Jiangsu Region

Yixing, Jiangsu
In Yixing, Jiangsu, the Chinese Valentine’s Day has a unique way of celebrating – the Xiangqiao Festival. Every year on the Chinese Valentine’s Day, people will come to participate in the activities of building the Xiangqiao. The incense bridge is a long bridge made of various thick and long wrapped incense (stick incense wrapped in paper), which can be up to four or five meters long and about half a meter wide. The bridge will also be equipped with railings and decorated with flowers made of five-color threads. After nightfall, people will worship the two stars (i.e. Altair and Vega) and beg for blessings and auspiciousness, and then burn the incense bridge, symbolizing that the two stars have walked across the incense bridge and happily met. This custom originated from the legendary magpie bridge legend, reflecting people’s yearning and blessing for loyal love.
Guangxi Region
Baise, Jingxi and other places in Guangxi
In Baise, Jingxi and other places in Guangxi, there is a custom of bathing in the river on the Qixi Festival. Folks believe that the water on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month is very holy and clean, which can not only drive away evil spirits and avoid diseases, but also bring happy love and a happy life. This custom is closely related to the legend of the local seven fairies bathing in the world. People pray for blessings by soaking in water, hoping to obtain the protection and gifts of the gods.
The custom of begging for skill in Yulin, Wuzhou and Guigang
The custom of “begging for skill” is preserved in Yulin, Wuzhou and Guigang in Guangxi. Female friends will get together on the night of the Chinese Valentine’s Day to compete with each other by doing various handicrafts. They will make exquisite handicrafts, such as paper cutting and embroidery, to show their talents and wisdom. At the same time, they will also pray to the Seventh Sister to pray for their ingenuity and family happiness.

III. Zhejiang Province

The custom of collecting dew in rural Zhejiang Province
In rural areas of Zhejiang Province, it is popular to collect dew in a basin. Legend has it that the dew on the Chinese Valentine’s Day is the tears of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl when they meet, which has magical power. Women will wash their faces and hands with the collected dew, believing that this will make them quick-witted and bring good luck and happiness. This custom reflects people’s yearning and pursuit for a better life.

IV. Other areas

The custom of Qiaogu in the Loess Plateau of Shaanxi Province
In the Loess Plateau of Shaanxi Province, women often tie straw men in flowery clothes on the Chinese Valentine’s Day, which are called “Qiaogu”. They also hold competitions such as threading needles and cutting window paper-cuts to show their craftsmanship and talents. These activities not only add to the festive atmosphere, but also promote communication and friendship among women.
The custom of eating Qiaoqiao rice in Juancheng, Caoxian, Pingyuan and other places in Shandong
In Juancheng, Caoxian, Pingyuan and other places in Shandong, there is a custom of eating Qiaoqiao rice to beg for skills. Seven good girls will gather grain and vegetables to make dumplings, and put a copper coin, a needle and a red date into three dumplings respectively. After the begging activity, they gather together to eat dumplings. It is said that those who eat money are blessed, those who eat needles are skillful, and those who eat dates will get married early. This custom is full of fun and meaning, and is deeply loved by local people.
The custom of dyeing nails in the southwest region
In the southwest region, there is a custom of dyeing nails on the Qixi Festival. Women and children will use flowers and plants to dye their nails. This is not only a way of festival entertainment, but also closely related to fertility beliefs. They believe that nail dyeing can bring good luck and happiness, making life better.
Mohele – Children’s toys for Qixi Festival in Kaifeng in the old days
In Kaifeng in the old days, a children’s toy called “Mohele” was sold during the Qixi Festival. Mohele is a small clay doll, mostly in the image of a child wearing a lotus leaf half-sleeve dress and holding a lotus leaf. These small clay dolls are exquisitely made and lifelike, and are deeply loved by children. They are not only toys for the festival, but also convey people’s good wishes for the healthy growth of children.

V. Other celebration methods
In addition to the special celebration methods in the above-mentioned regions, there are many common celebration methods for Qixi Festival. For example:

Stargazing: On the night of Qixi Festival, people will look up at the starry sky, look for the position of Altair and Vega, and feel the vastness of the Milky Way and the mystery of the starry sky.
Praying: Whether single men and women or married couples, they will make wishes and pray to Vega or the stars in the sky on this day, hoping that their love will be sweet and happy and last forever.
Eating Qiaoguo: Qiaoguo is one of the traditional foods of the Qixi Festival. There is a custom of making Qiaoguo in various places. These Qiaoguo have different shapes and rich flavors. They are not only delicious but also symbolize auspiciousness and happiness.

The ways of celebrating Qixi Festival in various places are unique and colorful. Whether it is building a fragrant bridge, bathing in the river, catching dew, eating Qiaoguo, etc., these customs reflect people’s yearning and pursuit for loyal love and their expectations and blessings for a better life.

China Is A Multi-ethnic Country

There are 55 ethnic minorities in China, which are widely distributed in various regions of China, but mainly concentrated in provinces and autonomous regions such as the southwest, northwest and northeast. The following is a detailed introduction to the distribution and customs of China’s ethnic minorities:

I. Distribution of ethnic minorities
China’s ethnic minorities are mainly distributed in the following regions:

Southwest region: including Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqing, Tibet and other provinces. These regions have complex terrain and diverse climate, which provide conditions for the survival and reproduction of different ethnic groups. Among them, Yunnan Province has the richest ethnic composition and is the province with the most ethnic minorities in the country.

Northwest region: including Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi and other provinces. These areas are dry and rainless, but have rich natural resources and unique geographical environment, which attracts many ethnic minorities to settle here.

Northeast region: including Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang and other provinces. Although the number of ethnic minorities in the northeast is relatively small, there are also some ethnic groups with distinctive characteristics living here, such as Manchu and Korean.

In addition, autonomous regions such as Inner Mongolia and Guangxi are also important areas where ethnic minorities live.

II. Customs of ethnic minorities
Due to the large number of ethnic minorities in China, each ethnic group has its own unique cultural customs. The following are some representative ethnic minorities and their customs:

Tibetan
Clothing: Tibetan clothing has strong ethnic characteristics. Men mostly wear Tibetan robes, while women like to wear various accessories, such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.
Diet: Tibetans mainly eat tsampa, butter tea, beef and mutton, and also like to drink highland barley wine.
Festivals: Tibetan traditional festivals include Tibetan New Year and Shoton Festival, among which Tibetan New Year is one of the most important festivals for Tibetan people.
Taboo: Tibetans are taboo to eat donkey meat, horse meat and dog meat, and they are also not allowed to cut down trees or make loud noises near temples.
Mongolian
Clothing: The traditional clothing of Mongolians is long robes and belts. Men mostly wear hats, while women like to wear various headdresses.
Diet: Mongolians mainly eat beef, mutton and dairy products, and also like to drink kumis and milk tea.
Festivals: Mongolian traditional festivals include Nadam Festival and Horse Year Festival, among which Nadam Festival is a grand gathering of Mongolian people.
Customs: Mongolian people are hospitable and like to entertain guests with songs, dances and fine wine.
Uyghur
Clothing: Uyghur men mostly wear long robes and trousers, while women like to wear colorful dresses and headscarves.
Food: Uyghurs mainly eat noodles and beef and mutton, and also like to drink milk tea and eat various dried fruits.
Festivals: Uyghur traditional festivals include Rouzi Festival and Eid al-Adha, which are important festivals of Islam.
Customs: Uyghur people are good at singing and dancing, and like to express their emotions and blessings through singing and dancing.
Zhuang
Clothing: Zhuang men mostly wear double-breasted tops and trousers, while women like to wear colorful shorts and long skirts.
Food: Zhuang people mainly eat rice and corn, and also like to eat various pickled foods and sour foods.
Festivals: Zhuang traditional festivals include March 3rd Song Festival, etc. These festivals are important moments for Zhuang people to celebrate the harvest and pray for happiness.
Customs: The Zhuang people are hospitable and like to entertain guests with wine and songs.
Miao
Clothing: Miao clothing features silver ornaments and embroidery. Women often wear silver ornaments and clothes embroidered with exquisite patterns.
Diet: The Miao people mainly eat rice and corn, and also like to eat various sour and pickled foods.
Festivals: The traditional festivals of the Miao people include the Miao New Year Festival and the Sisters Festival. These festivals are important moments for the Miao people to celebrate the harvest and pray for happiness.
Customs: The Miao people are good at singing, dancing and embroidery skills, and they also have many unique folk beliefs and taboos.

Chinese People Are Very Disgusted With Tattoos

The Chinese attitude towards tattoos is not “hate” in general, but presents a complex and diverse appearance. The formation of this attitude involves factors in history, culture, social psychology and other aspects. The following is a detailed analysis of this phenomenon:

I. Historical reasons
The connection between tattoos and punishment: In Chinese history, tattoos have existed as a form of punishment, such as “tattooing”, which is to tattoo the face of the criminal and apply ink as a mark of crime. This historical background has left a negative impression on tattoos in the public mind, and it is easy to be associated with crime and bad behavior.
The influence of Confucian culture: Confucian culture emphasizes that “the body, hair and skin are given by parents, and we dare not damage them.” It is believed that the body is given by parents and should be cherished and should not be changed or damaged at will. This concept is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, making tattoos, a behavior that changes the original appearance of the body, contrary to Confucian culture, and thus rejected.

II. Cultural traditions and concepts
Differences in body concepts: In traditional Chinese culture, the body is regarded as sacred and inviolable, and is a precious treasure given by parents. Therefore, tattoos, such as carving on the body, are regarded as blasphemy against the body and are not in line with traditional values.
Social class label: In the past, tattoos were often associated with social classes such as the lower class and hooligans. This labeled association has deepened people’s prejudice against tattoos, believing that tattoos are a sign of low-level and bad elements.

Social psychology and prejudice
Fear and rejection: People often have fear and rejection of unknown or different cultural phenomena. Tattoos, as an alien cultural phenomenon, are not common in traditional Chinese society, so they are easy to cause people’s fear and rejection.
Stereotypes and misunderstandings: Due to historical issues and the labeled association of social classes, tattoos have formed stereotypes and misunderstandings in Chinese society. Some people believe that tattooed people are often associated with bad behaviors such as crime and violence. This prejudice limits the spread and acceptance of tattoo culture.
Realistic factors and restrictions
Professional and military restrictions: In China, many professional and military fields have strict restrictions on tattoos. For example, when the army is recruiting, people with tattoos are usually not allowed to join the army, which reflects the exclusion of tattoos in certain professional fields. This realistic factor also deepens people’s negative views on tattoos.
Social pressure: Tattoos are still a sensitive topic in Chinese society. Some people worry that tattoos will bring unnecessary trouble and public pressure to themselves, so they choose to avoid tattoos. This social pressure has also limited the popularity and development of tattoo culture to a certain extent.

V. Gradual acceptance and change of tattoo culture

Although there are many factors mentioned above that cause Chinese people to have a negative view of tattoos, with the changes of the times and the influence of globalization, tattoo culture has gradually gained more acceptance and recognition in China.

Personality expression and fashion trends: In modern society, tattoos have become a way of expressing personality and self-display. More and more young people choose tattoos to show their uniqueness and aesthetic concepts. This trend has promoted the spread and development of tattoo culture to a certain extent.

Cultural exchange and integration: With the deepening development of globalization, exchanges and integration between different cultures are becoming more and more frequent. Tattoos as a cross-cultural art form are gradually understood and accepted by the Chinese. This cultural exchange and integration provides a broader space and opportunity for the development of tattoo culture in China.

The Chinese attitude towards tattoos is not simply “hate”, but is affected by historical, cultural, social psychological and other factors, presenting a complex and diverse appearance. With the changes of the times and the influence of globalization, tattoo culture has gradually gained more acceptance and recognition in China. However, it will take time and more active social education to completely change the public’s negative perception of tattoos.

Chinese Dragon VS Western Dragon

There are significant differences between Chinese dragons and Western dragons. These differences are not only reflected in appearance, but are also deeply rooted in their respective cultural backgrounds, historical evolution and symbolic meanings. The following will explain in detail why Chinese dragons are not like Western dragons from many aspects.

Origin and evolution
Chinese dragon:

Origin: The origin of the Chinese dragon can be traced back to ancient times. It is the ancient people’s multifaceted understanding of various animals in nature (such as snakes, crocodiles, lizards, fish, deer, bears, etc.) and celestial phenomena (such as thunder, clouds, rainbows, etc.) And the created fetish. It embodies the ancestors’ deification and sublimation of natural forces and is an important part of ancient Chinese myths and legends.
Evolution: The image of the dragon has continued to evolve over the course of history, from simple forms in the early days to complex and diverse forms later on. In different historical periods and cultural backgrounds, the image and symbolic meaning of dragons are also different. But in general, the Chinese dragon has always maintained its majestic, sacred and auspicious qualities.
Dragon:

Origin: The origin of the Western dragon is equally ancient, but its image is more associated with natural objects such as poisonous snakes, bats, and crocodiles. In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, and later in Christian culture, dragons came to be portrayed as symbols of evil.
Evolution: Over time, the image of the Western dragon became fixed, often described as a creature with a puma-like body, huge bat wings or feathers, four legs, horns, and scales. Its image is often associated with evil, destruction and power.

Appearance
Chinese dragon:

Physical Characteristics: The Chinese dragon’s body is usually depicted as long and sinuous, with scales and horns, and strong and powerful limbs. Their heads vary in shape, but usually have features such as antlers, a cow’s nose, a donkey’s mouth, and shrimp eyes. The scales of the dragon are delicate and lustrous, and the overall image is majestic and sacred.
Color: The colors of Chinese dragons are diverse, but bright colors such as gold and red are the main ones. These colors not only add to the mystery of the dragon, but also reflect its symbolic meaning of auspiciousness and wealth.
Dragon:

Physical characteristics: Western dragons are usually larger and bulkier, with a body structure similar to that of a puma and four strong legs. Its head is shaped like a horse or snake, with sharp horns and sharp teeth. The dragon’s wings are wide and powerful, able to support its huge body in flying.
Color: The colors of Western dragons are mainly green, red or gold, and these colors often echo their evil and destructive image.

Symbolic meaning
Chinese dragon:

Auspicious talisman: In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of auspiciousness and wealth. It represents good luck, success and happiness. In traditional festivals and celebrations, the image of the dragon is often used in decorations and performances to pray for good luck.
Symbol of imperial power: Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, the dragon has gradually become a symbol of imperial power. The emperor called himself the “True Dragon Emperor” and wore a dragon robe embroidered with dragon patterns. The image of the dragon is widely used in palace architecture, sculpture and painting to demonstrate the majesty and sanctity of imperial power.
Cultural symbol: The Chinese dragon is not only the broad totem and spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation, but also one of the important symbols of Chinese culture. It represents the wisdom, strength and courage of the Chinese nation.
Dragon:

Symbol of evil: In Western culture, the dragon is usually a symbol of evil, destruction and disaster. It represents evil forces, dark forces and the threat of death. In literature, art, film and television, dragons are often depicted as villains or monsters.
Symbol of Power: Although the Western dragon is viewed as a symbol of evil, its immense strength and magical abilities are often awe-inspiring. In some cultures, the dragon is also seen as one of the symbols of gods or elements.

Cultural background and influence
Chinese dragon:

Taoism and Confucian culture: Chinese dragons are influenced and nourished by Taoism and Confucian culture. They take “the unity of nature and man” as their philosophical basis and group harmony as their cultural standard. It contains spiritual qualities such as diversity and inclusion, benefiting all living beings, and peaceful coexistence.
Historical inheritance: The image and symbolic meaning of the Chinese dragon have been widely inherited and developed throughout history. It not only affects China’s traditional culture and artistic creation, but also profoundly affects the Chinese people’s ideas and behaviors.
Dragon:

Christian culture: In Western culture, the image of the dragon is closely linked to Christian culture. Christianity regards the dragon as a symbol of evil and the incarnation of the devil, demonizing it through religious stories and works of art. This concept has had a profound impact on Westerners’ ideas and behaviors.
Cultural influence: Although the dragon is regarded as a symbol of evil in Western culture, its image is still widely used in literature, art, film and television works. These works not only enrich the connotation and expression of Western culture, but also promote the exchange and integration of Eastern and Western cultures.

The differences between Chinese dragons and Western dragons (Dragon) stem from many aspects such as their origin, evolution, appearance, symbolic meaning, and cultural background. These differences not only reflect the differences and diversity of Eastern and Western cultures, but also provide us with rich materials and perspectives for understanding and appreciating different cultures.

Why Chinese Civilization Has Not Disappeared

As the only ancient civilization in the world that has never been interrupted, the reasons why Chinese civilization has been able to continue to this day are multifaceted, involving complex factors in multiple fields such as geography, politics, economy, culture, and ethnicity. The following is a detailed analysis of this issue:

I. Unique geographical location

Natural barriers and relative closedness

China is located in East Asia, facing the Pacific Ocean to the east, natural barriers such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Tianshan Mountains to the west, cold Siberia to the north, and tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia to the south. Such a geographical location makes China relatively closed and not easily affected by foreign invasions and shocks. In the era of cold weapons, this closedness provided a strong guarantee for the stable development of Chinese civilization.

Vast territory and diverse natural environment

China has a vast territory and diverse natural environment, which provides a vast space and rich resources for the development of Chinese civilization. From the grasslands in the north to the tropical rainforests in the south, from the plains in the east to the plateaus in the west, different geographical environments have nurtured different cultural forms and promoted the diversity and inclusiveness of Chinese civilization.

Stability of the political system
1，The situation of imperial unification

China has achieved the situation of imperial unification many times in history, forming a very stable political system. Qin Shihuang promoted a unified system of laws, writing, weights and measures, laying a solid foundation for the inheritance and development of Chinese civilization. Since then, successive dynasties have been committed to maintaining the unity and stability of the country. This concept of pursuing unity has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and has become an important driving force for the inheritance of Chinese civilization.

The long-term existence of the feudal system

The feudal system has existed for a long time in Chinese history, with the emperor as the center and a clear feudal hierarchy. Although this system has its limitations, it has promoted social stability and cultural inheritance to a certain extent. Under the feudal system, the emperor, as the supreme ruler, holds the country’s political, economic and cultural power, which is conducive to the unification and inheritance of culture.

Sustainable economic development
Stability of agricultural civilization

China is a typical agricultural civilization country, and agriculture is the foundation of the national economy. In the agricultural era, China had relatively advanced agricultural production and handicraft technology, and created many important inventions, such as papermaking, printing, gunpowder, compass, etc. These inventions not only improved agricultural production efficiency, but also promoted the spread and development of culture. The stability of agricultural civilization enables Chinese civilization to maintain continuity and stability in the long historical process.

Prosperity of commerce and trade

With the development of history, China’s commerce and trade have gradually prospered. The opening of the Silk Road promoted economic and cultural exchanges between China and the outside world, injecting new vitality into the development of Chinese civilization. At the same time, the continuous expansion of the domestic market and the prosperity of commercial trade have also promoted social and economic progress and cultural prosperity.

IV. The strong vitality of culture

The dominant position of Confucianism

Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty abolished all schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone, Confucianism has become the mainstream thought of all dynasties. Confucianism emphasizes virtues such as benevolence, filial piety, and loyalty, and pursues a harmonious and balanced social order. This ideological system not only shapes the spiritual outlook and values of the Chinese nation, but also provides important support for the inheritance and development of Chinese civilization. At the same time, Confucianism also has a strong tolerance and assimilation power, which can absorb and integrate the excellent elements of other cultures and promote the continuous development of Chinese civilization.

Fusion of multiple cultures

Chinese civilization is a complex of multiple cultures. Throughout history, cultures of different ethnic groups and regions have blended and influenced each other, forming a unique Chinese culture. This fusion of multiple cultures has not only enriched the connotation and extension of Chinese civilization, but also enhanced the vitality and creativity of Chinese civilization.

V. National cohesion and centripetal force

The pluralistic and unified pattern of the Chinese nation

China is a unified multi-ethnic country, with 56 ethnic groups that are diverse and united, helping each other and working together. This pluralistic and unified pattern gives the Chinese nation a strong cohesion and centripetal force. In the face of foreign aggression and internal turmoil, the Chinese nation can unite and jointly resist foreign aggression and safeguard the unity and stability of the country.

Inheritance and promotion of national spirit

Chinese civilization has nurtured the precious spiritual qualities of the Chinese nation. These spiritual qualities include the great creative spirit, the great struggle spirit, the great unity spirit and the great dream spirit. These spiritual qualities not only inspire the Chinese nation to continue to advance and grow, but also provide a strong spiritual driving force for the inheritance and development of Chinese civilization.

VI. Continuity of historical inheritance

Continuous record of history
China’s history with accurate chronology began in the first year of the Republic of China in the Western Zhou Dynasty (841 BC). Since then, all dynasties have attached importance to historical records and archive preservation, forming a rich and diverse historical document system such as official history, records, local chronicles, and genealogies. These documents not only record the political, economic, and cultural conditions of the society at that time, but also provide us with valuable first-hand information for understanding ancient civilization. This continuous record of history provides an important guarantee for the inheritance of Chinese civilization.
Carrier inheritance of civilization

The carriers of Chinese civilization include various forms such as text, cultural relics, and architecture. Among them, text is one of the important carriers of the inheritance of Chinese civilization. The earliest known mature Chinese characters are oracle bone inscriptions, which are at least 3,600 years old. Since then, Chinese characters have gone through the development stages of seal script, official script, and regular script, and the evolution of their character shapes and pronunciations can be traced. The Chinese characters we use today are not fundamentally different from oracle bone inscriptions. The continuity and stability of this text provide strong support for the inheritance of Chinese civilization.

In summary, there are many reasons why Chinese civilization has not disappeared and continues to this day. These reasons are intertwined and mutually reinforcing, and together they constitute the unique charm and strong vitality of Chinese civilization.