a.p.p.l.e..w.o.o.'s DIY life: Culture

Introduction of Chinese Knot

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:43:27 GMT

Chinese Knot or Chinese traditional decorating Knot is a kind of characteristic folk decorations of handicraft art. Appeared in ancient time, developed in Tang and Song Dynasty (960-1229A.D.)and popularized in Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368-1911A.D.) Chinese Knot has now become a kind of elegant and colorful arts and crafts from its original practical use.

The characteristic of Chinese Knot is that every knot is made of a single rope and named by its specific form and meaning. By combining different knots or other auspicious adornments(吉祥的装饰品) skillfully, an unique auspicious ornament which represents beauty, idea and wishes is formed. For example, "Full of joy". "Happiness & Longevity", "Double Happiness". "Luck and Auspiciousness as one wishes" and "Wish you a fair wind" are Chinese traditional pleasant phrases expressing warmest regards, best wishes and finest ideal.

To fit in with the needs of modern life, Chinese Knot has various products. The two main series are auspicious hanging and knitting clothing adornment. Auspicious hanging includes large tapestry, big room hanging, automobile hanging etc. Knitting clothing adornment includes ring, eardrop, hand chain, necklace and other woman's special adornments.

Today, people are fond of Chinese Knot for its characteristic form, colorfulness and profound meaning.

The candidature logo features a stylized traditional Chinese handicraft pattern known as the "knot of one heart" or "Chinese folk knot', using the typical colors of the five Olympic rings. The design depicts a dynamic human figure in a stance that portrays someone doing "Taiji" or shadow boxing. The simple gesture lines symbolize the graceful, harmonious and dynamic movements that connote the unity of, cooperation among, exchange between and development for the peoples all over the world.

After above introduction, i believe you know what is Chinese Knot. Now let's my handmade Chinese Knot.

Crazy Shopping For Spring Festival

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:39:03 GMT

The price of everything in Rainbow Supermarket, is really risen madly. Maybe because of the snowstorm, caused problems of trafffic. However, no matter how expensive of anything, it never stop the our passion of shopping.
I came back from Rainbow Supermarket just now, my efforts of shopping as below:

Greeting Season:
春节 The Spring Festival
农历 lunar calendar
正月 lunar January; the first month by lunar calendar
除夕 New Year's Eve; eve of lunar New Year
初一 the beginning of New Year
元宵节 The Lantern Festival

Food names:
年糕 Nian-gao; rise cake; New Year cake
团圆饭 family reunion dinner
年夜饭 the dinner on New Year's Eve
饺子 Jiao-zi; Chinese meat ravioli
汤圆 Tang-yuan; dumplings made of sweet rice, rolled into balls and stuffed with either sweet or
spicy fillings

八宝饭 eight treasures rice pudding
糖果盘 candy tray
什锦糖 assorted candies - sweet and fortune
蜜冬瓜 candied winter melon - growth and good health
西瓜子 red melon seed - joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
金桔 cumquat - prosperity
糖莲子 candied lotus seed - many descendents to come
糖藕 candied lotus root - fulfilling love relationship
红枣 red dates - prosperity
花生糖 peanut candy - sweet

祝你新的一年快乐幸福 Wish you happiness and prosperity in the coming year!

Customs:

过年 Guo-nian; have the Spring Festival
对联 poetic couplet: two successive rhyming lines in poetry
春联 Spring Festival couplets
剪纸 paper-cuts
年画 New Year paintings
买年货 special purchases for the Spring Festival ; do Spring Festival shopping
敬酒 propose a toast
灯笼 lantern: a portable light
烟花 fireworks
爆竹 firecrackers (People scare off evil spirits and ghosts with the loud pop.)
红包 red packets (cash wrapped up in red paper, symbolize fortune and wealth in the coming
year.)
舞狮 lion dance (The lion is believed to be able to dispel evil and bring good luck.)
舞龙 dragon dance (to expect good weather and good harvests)
戏曲 traditional opera
杂耍 variety show; vaudeville
灯谜 riddles written on lanterns
灯会 exhibit of lanterns
守岁 staying-up
拜年 pay New Year's call; give New Year's greetings; New Year's visit
禁忌 taboo
去晦气 get rid of the ill- fortune
祭祖宗 offer sacrifices to one's ancestors
压岁钱 gift money; money given to children as a lunar New Year gift
辞旧岁 bid farewell to the old year
扫房 spring cleaning; general house-cleaning

Chinese New Year

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:41:18 GMT

The Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 07,2008. This is the year of the Rat Chinese New Year is the most important and longest holiday in China. Chinese will begin celebrating on the New Year's Eve and the celebrations will last for 15 days.

There are three ways to name a Chinese year:

By an animal (like a mscot). This year is known as the Year of the Rat.
There are 12 animal names; so by this system, year names are re-cycled every 12 years.
By its Formal Name (Stem-Branch).
The new year is the year of bingxu.
In the 'Stem-Branch' system, the years are named in 60-year cycles, and the Name of the Year is repeated every 60 years.
2008 is the 9th year in the current 60-year cycle.

中国十二生肖 China Twelve Zodiacs

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:43:34 GMT

Year 2008 is the Year of Rat: The Year of Snake is not a good year for a carefree rat. The live-day-by-day attitude sounds no good, so better prepare for difficult times. It could be a tough year as your personality fights with circumstances. Always be diligent, for loss might be on the cards.

Ox: This is a year of fortune for you, but there may still be a few tricky moments ahead. Be diligent, for some minor mistake will deprive you of the success that has been already around the corner.
Tiger: A better year than the one just went by. Take care of your health. While facing money matters, remain diligent and patient, and remind yourself that it's just a matter of time. What's this zodiac implies? Click here.

Rabbit: Last year may not have been a remarkable one, but with the dragon year over, the snake brings much more opportunities for you. These may have an impact on your family life, so carefully take care of family matters. Better weigh up the pros and cons of your decisions.
Dragon: Your fortune will improve and remain stable this year. Lucky stars appear to accompany you throughout the year. The Snake will offer you more opportunities, and success is not far away. Remember one thing: pay respect where it is due.
Snake: Your fortune looks quite good this year as long as you keep an eye on the bigger picture. Don't narrow your mind in what you do, and balance your social life with work. The Snake will promise you success.

Horse: The road ahead is still filled with unexpected twists and turns, particularly in financial matters. So remain diligent, and keep your decision in check. But don't let this discourage you, trust yourself and don't be blinded by others' advices.
Ram: Last year might have been a tough time for you, but collect yourself now, for the Snake will offer you more chances. No need to be afraid of taking challenges any more. Seize opportunities and push forward. Persistence and hardworking will finally pay off at the end of this year.
Monkey: Your fortune will fluctuate this year, particularly in relationships. Manage to be modesty and moderate, although they sound like a mission impossible for a monkey. Think before you act, and learn to respond rather than react. Any flamboyance may lead to resentment by your peers. And be careful with envious people around you.
Rooster: Always remember that there are both positive and negative sides to everything in your life. Don't be discouraged by difficulties, for they may turn out to be blessings in disguise. Be ready to take challenges, and you will find that the obstacles are actually stepping-stones to future success.

Dog: This year is the best time to make the best of what's given you. The Year of Snake is a year to prepare and accumulate, and it's especially true for the dog. However, beware of greed, for it will make the Snake dizzy. Get prepared for the costs that come with success.
Pig: The initial part of this year is a good time to cash in. But keep in mind that this is the Year of Snake, a year for preparing rather than indulging. So even in fair whether, always prepare for foul. Always keep in mind financial needs in the second half of the year.