Chinese culture and traditions are quite unique and different from those of western cultures, in both Traditional China as well as Modern China. China is an ancient country and civilization leading to a long history of a code of conduct and culture. Chinese culture contains amazing arts and customs as well as ways of doing life. Nowadays, Chinese culture can be divided in two, Traditional Culture, and Modern Culture. Just as with any other people group, the Chinese culture is continually developing and changing.
As China opened its doors to foreign relations and began making scientific, technological, social, and economic advances, the culture experienced some major shifts from Traditional to Modern Culture. In the early 1900s, traditional Chinese culture was still prominent and the people lived by a set of traditional values and beliefs. They followed the old teachings and ways of life. With a political change in 1949, a new more modern Chinese culture began to emerge. The traditional ways of doing things were put aside and the Chinese people took on new ways.
The culture in China today is no longer traditional but it is not entirely modern either. The majority of Chinese people live in a combination of both, while some traditions and myths have long been forgotten others have been incorporated into everyday life. China may look very modern with high rise buildings and people wearing the latest fashions off the runway but you will still see traditional festivals being celebrated, ancient styles and artifacts receiving tribute, classes teaching traditional art techniques, programs devoted to traditional culture, and modern music with a traditional sound woven throughout.
The following are just a few of the Chinese cultural icons:
The Chinese Dragon. The dragon holds a very important place in the Chinese culture and mythology. Dragons are seen in Chinese art, literature, poetry, architecture, song, and the Chinese conscience. The origins of the Chinese dragon are unknown but it surely dates back thousands of years to pre-recorded times. The dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and good luck in Chinese culture. Dragons are depicted throughout archaeological sites in China, the number 9 in Chinese is special and is frequently connected with the dragon, the dragon is one of the Chinese zodiac animals, and the dancing dragon is a tradition at many Chinese festivals including the Chinese New Year, just to name a few ways the dragon is a part of the Chinese culture.
The Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. The New Year celebration, or Spring Festival, marks the end of the winter season. The 2 week long festival begins on the first day of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th day. The holiday is one that brings families together for feasting. The holiday was originally held to honor household and heavenly gods as well as ancestors.
Bamboo Culture. Bamboo is one of the favorite plants of the Chinese and is a culture that ids deeply rooted in the daily life. Bamboo can be found just about anywhere in China. Bamboo chopsticks are still the main tableware used in China, and bamboo paintbrushes are still used today. Lucky bamboo can be found in many Chinese homes.
Jade Culture. Jade objects have been found in China that date back to 5000BC and it is still popular today. Jade is not only beautiful but it has been given a part of the culture with a meaning and humanity. Confucious said, “Jade is precious not because it is rarer, but because the quality of jade corresponds to a gentleman's virtue.” In Chinese culture jade represents beauty, grace, nobility, perfection, power, immortality and purity.
