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Brief Introduction of Chinese Cultures
China culture in brief
Brief Introduction of Chinese Cultures
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Jade is of significant importance in art history and especially in the Chinese culture which is one of the world’s oldest civilizations known. Jade is a gem stone comprised of many minerals. It is generally described as a smooth stone with a rich texture and extremely hard, tough and durable. There are two forms of jade generally found. The first is nephrite, and is a crystalline calcium magnesium silicate compound and the second type is called jadeite, and is a sodium aluminum silicate compound. At first glance they somewhat appear similar, but if you take a closer look you can see they have very different qualities from each other. Nephrite can be described as having an appearance creamier, buttery, white, or of a light green tint with distinct …show more content…
1.7 million years - 21st century BC) “The Chinese regard carved jade objects as intrinsically valuable, and they metaphorically equate jade with human virtue due to its solidity, durability and (moral) beauty.”
As I continued my research, I found the use of jade in the Chinese culture stood for many things. One very interesting use, was that they believed the stones contained magical and spiritual powers during ones life and also in the afterlife. It was thought that that jade could also protect the dead during the transition to heaven. The Chinese culture also believed it would comfort the soul and used it in rituals and ceremony and burials. The importance and significance of the stone is very evident as archeologists have found numerous ceremonial burial artifacts during excavations that date back to Neolithic times. They further discovered and determined that the detailed craftsmanship of the burial jade reached its height during the Zhou dynasty. They commonly found bi disks (see exhibit B) made of jade in many tombs and burials mounds which confirms the significance of the gem to the people of that time
The novel “The Jade Peony” is narrated by three different characters throughout the story as it progresses. In part one of the book, it is narrated by a character named “Jook Liang” but usually just called Liang while in conversation. The reader is told the setting and time of the plot, which is in Vancouver, BC and in the time of the Great Depression (In the 1930s). We also learn the names of all the members in Liang’s family. An important figure in Liang’s portion of the story is a man named Wong-Suk. Wong-Suk and Liang become great friends, he occasionally tells her tales from the past. While Poh-Poh was helping Liang tie a ribbon for her tap dance shoes, we learn about her childhood. Poh-Poh was considered disfigured and her mom sold her to a family, where she
The two pieces of art that I have chosen to compare is the ‘Green Tara 14th century’ and ‘Tara 19th century’ which are both from the collection at the Rubin Museum of Art. The Green Tara sculpture is from central Tibet and is made of Gilt copper alloy. The Tara 19th century is from Kham province in Tibet and is painted with pigments on a piece of cloth.
First theory that comes from astronomical angle is usually the more believed one since there was so many close in content interpretations of it with tiny variations. In the structure of this ancient monument, several types of stones can be observed. There are: Sarsen stones, Trilithon, Blue stones, an Altar...
Perhaps one of the biggest issues foreigners will come upon is to maintain a strong identity within the temptations and traditions from other cultures. Novelist Frank Delaney’s image of the search for identity is one of the best, quoting that one must “understand and reconnect with our stories, the stories of the ancestors . . . to build our identities”. For one, to maintain a firm identity, elderly characters often implement Chinese traditions to avoid younger generations veering toward different traditions, such as the Western culture. As well, the Chinese-Canadians of the novel sustain a superior identity because of their own cultural village in Vancouver, known as Chinatown, to implement firm beliefs, heritage, and pride. Thus in Wayson Choy’s, The Jade Peony, the novel discusses the challenge for different characters to maintain a firm and sole identity in the midst of a new environment with different temptations and influences. Ultimately, the characters of this novel rely upon different influences to form an identity, one of which being a strong and wide elderly personal
We have all been in a situation where we have immigrated to a new country for different reasons regarding, better future, or education. In the book Jade of Peony, Wayson Choy describes a struggle of a Chinese family as they settle in Canada, with their new generation of kids born here, the family struggles to keep their children tied to their Chinese customs and traditions as they fit in this new country. The Chinese culture needs to be more open minded as it limits the future generation’s potential. Chinese culture limitations are seen through the relationship expectations, education, gender roles and jobs.
We have all been in a situation where we have immigrated to a new country for different reasons regarding, better future, or education. In the book Jade of Peony, Wayson Choy describes a struggle of a Chinese immigrant family as they settle in Canada, through the perspective of three young children; Liang, Jung, and Sekky. Each child describes his or her struggle, while settling in a new country. The family struggles to keep their children tied to their Chinese customs and traditions as they fit in this new country. The Chinese culture needs to be more open minded as it limits the future generation’s potential. Chinese culture limitations are seen through the relationship expectations, education, gender roles and jobs.
Because of the scarcity of the archaeological record at the stone rings, any attempts to
Chang, Kwang-chih 1968 The Archeology of Ancient China Yale University Press, New Haven & London
Cao Xueqin’s Story of the Stone is a classic in Chinese literature, showcasing the life and exploits of the wealthy Jia clan during the feudal era. Through Cao’s depiction, the reader is afforded a glimpse into the customs and lifestyle of the time. Chinese mode of thought is depicted as it occurred in daily life, with the coexisting beliefs of Confucianism and Taoism. While the positive aspects of both ideologies are presented, Cao ultimately depicts Taoism as the paramount, essential system of belief that guides the character Bao-yu to his eventual enlightenment.
Jade represents love in Eastern cultures. It is fitting that the ring is made from jade since the exchange of gifts is a symbol of the love they share with each other. In addition, jade was thought to preserve the body after death and could be found in the tombs of emperors. The jade ring given to Mongryong by Chunhyang is a sêma for both definitions of the word; it is a physical symbol of their trust and a physical representation of the tomb of a hero. Mongryong achieves his kleos by becoming a high ranking official and saving Chunhyang’s life.
The Jade Peony, written by Wayson Choy, is a beautiful short story about the relationship between a young boy and his grandmother. The story deals with many complicated social and emotional issues including change, death, and acceptance. As we explore the repeating conflicts in the story we begin to understand how difficult it is to assimilate cultural beliefs and traditions into a new life.
In the short story “The Jade Peony” by Wayson Choy, the theme is identified as love has no rules. I believe the author brought out this theme in using it in the following ways, as Chinese Canadians they have a bi-cultural environment while being confused about their identities but then their grandma shows them the true way of how they can begin to show their true selves without fear of modern world rejection. The author shows the theme in the grandmother's character by giving us a unique perspective on the relationship between her and her family, especially the youngest grandson. No matter how she was feeling she and her grandson went out to collect items to make her wind chimes for the day she passes and even tells the story of what will happen when the time comes so she can say goodbye one last time.
Early on we see the emergence of civilization in China, where relatively isolated within geographical barriers, China’s early civilization developed with little contact with other cultures. During the Neolithic period, peoples living in environmentally distinctive zones—the Yellow and Yangzi River Valleys—mastered agriculture, animals became domesticated, the production of ceramics became more elaborate, built fortified towns, and developed better practice relating to the treatment of the dead. Later on during the Shang Dynasty, (ca. 1500–ca. 1050 B.C.E.), China entered the Bronze Age. Shang civilization was urban, its cities encompassing an aristocratic and religious core around which grew industrial and residential districts. Beyond these were farming settlements. The Shang practiced human sacrifice, and human remains compose some of the contents of the rich underground tombs. The Shang period saw the emergence of writing, the distinct logographic system that enabled centuries of cultural continuity.
I first encountered a lovely crystal by the name of Amethyst about 4 years ago. A friend gave it to me and told me that it would help me in this period of my life. I did not really know how or why a pretty little “rock” would help me out but, I took it with gratitude and kept it in my pocket. Sometime had passed and then I came across another gemstone. When a second stone came into my life it gave me a sense to actually look it up and find out what these stones meant and why they started to pop up into my life. During this journey, I found out that gemstones and crystals have many ancient and contemporary uses. They have much history and many legends attached to them. There are also many theories of how gemstones and crystals work, hundreds of practical applications and many lists of their healing and spiritual properties.
In the art community there is a lot of controversy in distinguishing what the difference between an artist and a designer. Designers are told they are not artist and they need to stop thinking they are artist. When dealing with art and design specific demographics and viewers interpret the messages of each subject in different ways. Art is said to be elucidated and design is said to be understood. Artists usually develop a work of art with the intention of bringing an emotion viewpoint, instinctive feeling, and or state of mind. When you look at an artist work it cannot be limited to just exhibiting one individual thought or just one individual meaning. That is a big difference when it comes to graphic design. Graphic design usually has a very specific goal and point to make. When dealing with graphic design there should not be any room or space for any mixed messages or multiple meanings. The audience of the design should immediately understand the design that the designer created. Art connects to people differently in so many ways. The only reason it connects to people in different ways is only because it is interpreted differently.