Lesson 1 A Brief Introduction to Chinese Culture.doc

A Brief Introduction to Chinese Culture中国文化简介THE ANIMAL SIGNSUsing characteristics that are perceived to be an inherent part of the natures of the 12 animals, Chinese astrology attributes certain aspects of these characteristics and behavior of people born at specific times. This system operates in much the same way as Western astrology.THE RAT is an opportunist with an eye for a bargain. Rats tend to collect and hoard, but are unwilling to pay too much for anything. They are devoted to their families, particularly their children. On the surface, Rats are sociable and gregarious yet underneath they can be miserly and petty Quick-witted and passionate, they are capable of deep emotions despite their cool exteriors. Their nervous energy and ambition may lead Rats to attempt more tasks than they are able to complete successfully, Rats will stand by their friends as long as they receive their support in return. However, they are not above using information given to them in confidence in order to advance their own cause.THE OX is solid and dependable. Oxen are excellent organizers and systematic in heir approach to every task they undertake. They are not easily influenced by others' ideas. Loyalty is part of their make-up, but if crossed or deceived they will never forget. Oxen do not appear to be imaginative though they are capable of good ideas. Although not demonstrative or the most exciting people romantically they are entirely dependable and make devoted parents. They are people of few words but fine understated gestures. Oxen are renowned for their patience. but it has its limits once roused, their temper is a sight to behold.THE TIGER is dynamic, impulsive and lives life to the full. Tigers often leap into projects without planning, but their natural exuberance will carry them through success fully unless boredom creeps in and they do not complete the task. Tigers do not like failure and need to be admired. If their spirits fall, they require a patient ear to listen until they bounce back again. They like excitement in their relation-ships and static situations leave them cold. Tigers are egotistic. They can be generous and warm, but will also sometimes show their claws.THE RABBIT is a born diplomat and cannot bear conflict. Rabbits can be evasive and will often give the answer they think someone wishes to hear rather than enter into a discussion. This is not to say they give in easily: the docile cover hides a strong will and self-assurance. It is difficult to gauge what Rabbits are thinking and they can often appear to be constantly daydreaming, though in reality they may be planning their next strategy The calmest of the animal signs, Rabbits are social creatures up to the point when their space is invaded. Good communication skills enable Rabbits to enjoy the company of others and they are good counselors. They prefer to keep away from the limelight where possible and to enjoy the finer things of life.THE DRAGON will launch straight into projects or conversations with a pioneering spirit. Dragons often fail to notice others trying to keep up or indeed those plotting behind their backs. Authority figures, they make their own laws and cannot bear restriction. They prefer to get on with a job themselves and are good at motivating others into action. They are always available to help others, but their pride makes it difficult for them to accept help in return. Although they are always at the center of things, they tend to be loners and are prone to stress when life becomes difficult. Hard-working and generous, Dragons are entirely trustworthy and are loyal friends. They enjoy excitement and new situations. When upset, they can be explosive, but all is soon forgotten.THE SNAKE is a connoisseur of the good things in life. Inward-looking and self reliant, Snakes tend to keep their own counsel and dislike relying on others. They can be ruthless in pursuing their goals. Although very kind and generous, Snakes can be demanding in relation ships. They find it hard to forgive and will never forget a slight. Never under estimate the patience of a snake, who will wait in the wings until the time is right to strike. They are elegant and sophisticated and although they are good at making money, they never spend it on trifles. Only the best is good enough for them. Very intuitive, Snakes can sense the motives of others and can sum up situations accurately If crossed, they bite back with deadly accuracy. They exude an air of mystery ooze charm and can be deeply passionate.THE HORSE is ever-active. Horses will work tirelessly until a project is completed. but only if the deadline is their own. Horses have lightning minds and can sum up people and situations in all instants - sometimes too quickly - and they will move on before seeing the whole picture. Capable of undertaking several tasks at once, Horses are constantly on the move and fond of exercise, They may exhaust themselves physically and mentally. Horses are ambitious and confident in their own abilities. They are not interested in the opinions of others and are adept at side-stepping issues, They can be impatient and have explosive tempers although they rarely bear grudges.THE GOAt is emotional and compassionate. Peace-lovers, Goats always behave correctly and they are extremely accommodating to others. They tend to be shy and vulnerable to criticism. They worry a lot and appear to be easily put upon, but when they feel strongly about something they will dig their heels in and sulk until they achieve their objectives. Goats are generally popular and are usually well cared for by others. They appreciate the finer things in life and are usually lucky. They find it difficult to deal with difficulties and deprivation. Ardent romantics, Goats can obtain their own way by wearing their partners down and turning every occasion to their advantage. They will do anything to avoid conflict and hate making decisions.THE MONKEY is intelligent and capable of using its wits to solve problems. Monkeys often wriggle out of difficult situations and are not above trickery if it will further their own ends. Monkeys tend to be oblivious of other people and of the effect their own actions may have on them. In spite of this, they are usually popular and are able to motivate others by their sheer enthusiasm for new projects. Monkeys are constantly on the look out for new challenges and their innovative approach and excellent memories generally make them successful. They are full of energy and are always active. They have little sympathy for those who are unable to keep up with them, but will soon forget any difficultiesTHE ROOSTER is a very sociable creature. Roosters shine in situations where they are able to be the center of attention. If a Rooster is present, everyone will be aware of the fact because no Rooster can ever take a back seat at a social gathering. They are dignified, confident and extremely strong-willed, yet they may have a negative streak. They excel in arguments and debates. Incapable of underhandedness, Roosters lay all their cards on the table and do not spare others' feelings in their quest to do the right thing. They never weary of getting to the bottom of a problem and are perfectionists in all that they do. Roosters can usually be won over by flattery. Full of energy, Roosters are brave, but they hate criticism and can be puritanical in their approach to life.THE DOG is entirely dependable and has an inherent sense of justice. Intelligent, Dogs are loyal to their friends and they always listen to the problems of others, although they can be critical. In a crisis, Dogs will always help and they will never betray a friend. They can be hard workers, but are not all that interested in accumulating wealth for themselves. They like to spend time relaxing. Dogs take time to get to know people but have a tendency to pigeon-hole them. When they want something badly they can be persistent. If roused they can be obstinate and occasionally they lash out, although their temper is usually short-lived. Some Dogs can be rather nervous and they may be prone to pessimism.THE PIG is everybody's friend. Honest and generous, Pigs are always available to bail others out of difficulties. Pigs love the social scene and are poplar. They rarely argue and if they do fly off the handle, they bear no grudges afterwards. They abhor conflict and very often will not notice when others are attempting to upset them. They prefer to think well of people. Overindulgence is their greatest weakness and Pigs will spend heavily in pursuit of pleasure. They always share with their friends and trust that, in return, their friends will make allowances for their friends will make allowances for their own little weaknesses. Great organizers, Pigs like to have a cause and will often rally others to it as well.Feng ShuiFurnishing the dining-room The essential furnishings of any dining-room are its table and chairs. A round table symbolizes Heaven, harmony, and friendship, while a square table, representing the Earth, suggests a more formal, hierarchical approach. octagonal tables are often found in China, since each side faces one of the Eight Directions. Despite the apparent informality of the round table, any honored guest, or the eldest member of the family, should be placed at the North side of the table, so as to face the South. At an octagonal table, highly favored in China, the family should be seated according to the Eight Trig rams, with the father at the North-West position and mother at the South-West. The eldest son will be seated at the East, the middle son at the North, as the youngest son at the North-East. The eldest daughter takes her place at the South-last , the middle daughter at the South ,and the youngest daughter at the West. At an eight-sided table, the family should be disposed according to the Eight Trigrams.Apart from the sideboard, the remaining furnishings should be minimal. Unless the dining-room serves a double purpose as the living-room or a second reception room, there is little need for other furniture, which would only intrude on the principal focus: the table.A simple fish is one traditional way of neutralizing the effect of threatening sha-from an inauspicious telegraph pole,  for instanceThe Dining-room Chinese cuisine is not designed for the lone eater. In the Far East, the notable feature of Chinese restaurants and one that makes them so markedly different from restaurants in the Western world, is their sheer size. Vast, brilliantly decorated haIls accommodate rank after rank of huge tables, round which family parties of a dozen or more will feast together - a far cry from the intimate atmosphere of a dimly-lit French or Italian restaurant. Nor do the Chinese delicately keep to their own plates. Etiquette demands that a meal be shared, and that each person at the table should sample all the various dishes that are set down.Traveling in China, you would be frequently pressed to join a party of people who until then would have been complete strangers, to share their company and their meal. Thus, eating at the table not only nourishes the body, it also symbolizes friendship, and harmony. Within the home, however, the placing of the dining- room is not as crucial as the location of other rooms. But it is ideal for the dining-room to be East of the kitchen, failing which, it might be placed to the South of it.Favorable ch'i are encouraged if the dining-room window faces a different direction from the section of the house where the room is situated, provided that this is not its opposite. That is to say, if the dining-room is located in the Southern part of the house, it is favorable for the window to face Eastwards; or if in the Eastern part, Southwards. If the dining-room is in the North, the windows should look East or West; and if in the West, North or South.Ch'i should not rest and stagnate in the dining-room, or the atmosphere will become stale and unpleasant. Consequently, it is preferable that there should be at least two entrances to the dining-room, one from the hallway or living-room, and another from the direction of the kitchen. For the same reason, it is also best if there are at least two windows. The two doors should also be in the same wall, or in adjacent walls, as should the windows. Doors opposite each other are not favored, as this creates the impression of a corridor, rather than a room.                  Shops and stores For centuries, Feng Shui practitioners have been advising clients on how best to plan retail premises in order to ensure maximum sales success. Although the disposition of goods on display, the location of those still in storage, and even the position of the cash register are vital factors which have to be taken into consideration, they all take second place to the nature of the shop's entrance which should actively funnel beneficial ch'i into the shop. A wide-mouthed doorway, so it is said, will help to catch both the customer and the flow of ch'i. In order to counteract poor Feng Shui, doors are sometimes positioned at a slant, and have the additi0nal merit of providing a limited area of standing room within the boundaries of the shop. Psychologically, this little triangle between the frontage of the shop and the street acts a Kind of threshold, the customer feeling encouraged to make the effort to enter the shop.The rule that stairs and corridors in the home should not face doors applies equally where business premises are concerned. But, if this occurs, and it is impractical to alter the internal structure, then the arrangement of displays of goods should be such that the customer is obliged to make a change in direction on entering the shop. If the customer has to change direction, it can be assumed that the ch'i will change direction, too, with beneficial results.Another effective way to divert ch'i is to line the walls with mirrors. These will not only display goods to potential customers at all manner of angles, but will also increase the brightness of the shop, providing a more stimulating environment for commerce. (This works well in business premises, but would be unsuitable for a family residence, since the energizing ch'i produced would soon burn up a harmonious atmosphere within the home.) Feng Shui identifies two categories of sales-outlet: 'open', where goods may be readily handled, and 'closed' where items are presented for inspection on request.In an 'open' shop - such as a greengrocer's - the owner may feel that it is best to have the cash register near the exit, in order to deter thieves from leaving the shop with goods which have not been paid for. But some Chinese geomancers maintain that the ideal situation for the cash register is one which harmonizes with the horoscope of the owner. on page 96, you will find an e