An Introduction to Chinese Culture

1. An Introduction to Chinese Culture

2. What is Chinese? • Mandarin is the official language of China - also known as pŭtōnghuà. • Many regional dialects - Mandarin & Cantonese most widely spoken. • Large Chinese populations worldwide - including Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia. • Chinese is the most widely spoken language across the world.

3. Regional Dialects

4. So what is the difference between • Mandarin & Cantonese? • Mandarin and Cantonese are tonal languages - 5 in Mandarin, 7-9 in Cantonese. • Tone used with any given word can change it’s meaning. • Written form can differ, but does not change meaning. • 雞鸡 • Traditional Simplified

5. Chinese Festivals • Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) – Jan / Feb . (1st – 15th days of the first lunar month). • Ching Ming – April - paying respect to ancestors (15th day from Spring Equinox) . • Mid Autumn Festival – September - Celebrating the Moon (15th day of 8th month). Lanterns made and Moon Cakes eaten. • Chung Yeung – October - paying respect to ancestors (9th day of 9th month). [Actual date of festivals varies as Chinese use lunar calendar.]

6. Did you know the Chinese have their own calendar? Did you know they have different birthday dates? You are already one year old when you are born!

7. Happy Chinese New Year!“Celebrating the Year of the Tiger” 恭喜發財 – Kung Hei Fat Choi 恭喜发财 – Gong Xi Fa Cai The Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4708 begins on February 14th, 2010 and lasts for 15 days

8. What animal sign are you? Rat 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 Ox 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009 Tiger 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 Rabbit 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 Dragon 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 Snake 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 Horse 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 Sheep 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 Monkey 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 Rooster 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 Dog 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 Boar 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007

9. What does your animal sign mean? Ox • Bright, patient and inspiring to others. You can be happy by yourself yet make an outstanding parent. • Marry a Snake or Rooster. • The Sheep will bring trouble. Tiger • You are aggressive, courageous, candid and sensitive. • Look to the Horse and Dog for happiness. • Beware of the Monkey.

10. What does your animal sign mean? Rabbit • Luckiest of all signs, talented and articulate. • Affectionate, yet shy, you seek peace throughout your life. • Marry a Sheep or Boar. • Your opposite is the Rooster. Dragon • Your are eccentric and your life complex. • You have a very passionate nature and abundant health. • Marry a Monkey or Rat late in life. • Avoid the Dog.

11. What does your animal sign mean? Snake • Wise and intense with a tendency towards physical beauty. • Vain and high tempered. • Boars are your enemies. • Roosters or Oxen are your best sign. Horse • Popular and attractive to the opposite sex. • You are often ostentatious and impatient. • You need people. • Marry a Tiger or a Dog early, but never a Rat.

12. What does your animal sign mean? Sheep • Elegant and creative, you are timid and prefer anonymity. • You are most compatible with Boars and Rabbits, but never the Oxen. Monkey • You are very intelligent and are able to influence people. • An enthusiastic achiever, but is easily discouraged and confused. • Avoid Tigers. Seek a Dragon or Rat.

13. What does your animal sign mean? Rooster • A pioneer in spirit, you are devoted to quest after knowledge. • You are self-centred and eccentric. • Rabbits are trouble. • Snakes and Oxen are fine. Dog • Loyal and honest. You work well with others. • Generous yet stubborn and often selfish. • Look to the Horses or Tigers. • Watch out for Dragons

14. What does your animal sign mean? Boar • Noble and chivalrous. • Your friends will be lifelong, yet you are prone to marital strife. • Avoid other Boars. • Marry a Rabbit or a Sheep. Rat • You are ambitious yet honest. Prone to spend freely. • Seldom make lasting friendships. • Most compatible with Dragons and Monkeys. • Least with Horses.

15. Before the New Year • A time for house cleaning • Decorations to put up • Time for prayers

16. New Year’s Eve • Try not to break anything as it as deemed bad luck. • Firecrackers are lit to ward off evil spirits. • Display bowls of fruit. • The most important element is that families gather together for a meal on New Years Eve. Many people return home to join in this celebration.

17. New Year’s Day • Wear new clothes • Vegetarian meal • “Red packets” • Greet everybody with “Kung Hei Fat Choi” / “Gong Xi Fa Cai” The 1st Day of Chinese New Year is an exciting day to be spent with family

18. The Food at New Year Dumplings are eaten in Northern China. Turnip cake & New Year cake tend to be eaten in southern China. Did you know that traditionally Chinese like round tables?

19. Chinese Food and its meaning Whole chicken - prosperity & family togetherness Noodles - long life Spring Rolls - wealth Peanuts - long life Fish - wishes & abundance Tangerines / oranges - luck & wealth Sweet sticky rice cake, nian gao - rich sweet life, while the different layers symbolize rising abundance for the coming year and round shape signifies family reunion.

20. Chinese New Year celebration in London Taken from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7863747.stm

21. Contact us The Chinese Centre Hesters Way Community Resource Centre Cassin Drive Princess Elizabeth Way Cheltenham GL51 7SU Phone: 01452-531369 Mobile: 07720-637976 / 07766-310551 Email: mandarin.school@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.glos-mandarinschool.org.uk