Chinese Culture
Where to start
Books
Colors and animals
Websites
Books
Animal Spirits by Nicholas J. Saunders.
Chinese Festivals by Wolfram Eberhard.
The Joy of Getting Along with the Chinese by Fred Schneiter; highly readable and enjoyable. Very insightful in an easy manner. I liked it a lot.
Myths and Legends of China by E.T.C. Werner
On a Chinese Screen by Somerset Maugham's talks about baby towers, where children were left to die.
Red Eggs and Dragon Boats by Carol Stepanchuk [for children]
Language:
Easy Chinese Phrasebook and Dictionary by Wendy Tung; includes tips on dining, shopping and travel.
I can read it! A traveler's introduction to Chinese characters by Julie Mazel sussman.
The Chinese Language for Beginners by Lee Cooper.
Read and Write Chinese A Simplified Guide to the Chinese Characters by Rita Mei-Wah Choy (with Cantonese and Mandarin pronunciation; Yale and Pinyin Romanization.) Top.
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Website with cultural information
Lucky Mark on the Forehead an example
Chinese poster art mostly pre-Cultural Revolution propaganda.
Arts
http://elektron.et.tudelft.nl/~wingchun/Lion.html
http://fllc.smu.edu/languages/chinese/Art.html
http://www.indiana.edu/~chasso/art.html
http://www.indiana.edu/~chasso/art.html
http://vizlab.rutgers.edu/~jaray/sounds/chinese_music/chinese_music.html
History
http://china.muzi.net/news/q/2197.shtml
New Years
http://adhocalypse.arts.unimelb.edu.au/fcf/ucr/student/1996/i.cheng/new.html
http://www.channela.com/community/culture/970131cny/HISTORY/Traditio.html
http://dc.roc-taiwan.org/info/fcj97/fcj05/0131p5.html
Mythology
http://www.donet.com/~rwithman/Chinese_Mythology.htm
http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/areas/
http://peacock.tnjc.edu.tw/ADD/TOUR/keep4.html
http://www.utdallas.edu/~berl5147/myth.html
Chinese myths: http://www.pantheon.org/mythica/areas/
http://www.channela.com [It combines cultural, entertainment, business, health and breaking news in one innovative place. Community issues with an Asian-American perspective are discussed, and conversation forums allow an exchange of opinions. Enjoy! I know I will.]
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Red: symbolizes wealth, commerce, fame, sincerity, and marriage.
Yellow: symbolizes emperor and the Chinese.
Purple: symbolizes grandsons.
Blue: symbolizes rank.
Green: symbolizes lower rank.
White: symbolizes mourning, children and purity.
Black: symbolizes luck which attracts prosperity.
Blue-green: symbolizes health, harmony, prosperity and youth.
Also:
Cricket: courage and summer
Bats: wealth
Lotus: purity
Endless knot: long life
Apple: peace
Broom: wisdom, insight, power to sweep away difficulties
Conch Shell: prosperous journey
From a Chinese simulation (study unit for elementary and middle school) put out by Interact (1825 Gillespie Way, #101, El Cajon, CA 92020 {800-359-0961}). Top.
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