officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a sovereign state located in sovereign state located in East Asia. It is the world's . It is the world's most populous country, with , with a population of over 1.3 billion. The PRC is a. The PRC is asingle-party state governed by the  governed by the Communist Party, with , with its its seat of government in the capital city of  in the capital city of Beijing..[17][18] It  It exercises jurisdiction over 22 exercises jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five , five autonomous regions, four , four direct-controlled municipalities (Beijing,  (Beijing, Tianjin, , Shanghai, and , and Chongqing), and two ), and two mostly self-governing mostly self-governing special administrative regions ( (Hong Kong and  and Macau).).[19] The PRC also claims  The PRC also claims Taiwan – which is controlled by the  – which is controlled by the Republic of China (ROC), a  (ROC), a separate political entity – as its separate political entity – as its 23rd province, a claim , a claim controversial due to the complexcontroversial due to the complexpolitical status of Taiwan and the unresolved  and the unresolved Chinese Civil War..

This was perhaps the simplest of all traditional Chinese clothing. In its essence the Chang Pao dress was a fusion of the above mentioned two traditional Chinese dresses. It was a one piece suit that started from the height of the shoulders and extended down to the wearer’s ankles.There are a couple of things that were common amongst the different kinds of traditional Chinese dresses. One was the fact that the locals usually preferred to wear dark colors. Secondly all traditional Chinese clothing made use of excessive draping, voluminous sleeves and had a wide loose fit.

The most popular traditional Chinese dress is by far the Pien Fu. This is a unique two piece costume which was considered to be a ceremonial suit. It had a tunic for a top that extended all the way to the knees. This was worn on top of a skirt that reached the length of the ankles. The skirt under the tunic was reserved for formal occasions. The Pien Fu dress would not be complete without the Pien which was a cylinder shaped hat.

The ProposalThe process began with an elaborate marriage proposal and acceptance. This process was placed

in the hands of a go-between, who acted as a buffer between the two parties – a role similar to that of a real estate agent today. The important parties in proposal and betrothal negotiations were the parents of the prospective bride and groom, rather than the bride and groom themselves.

“Marriage was for continuing the ancestral line and creating alliances between families –; too important a duty to be left in the rash hands of the young," Costa explains.”When the boy’s parents identified a likely bride-to-be, they would send the go-between to present gifts to the girl’s parents and to sound out their feelings about the match. If the proposal was well-received, the go-between would obtain the date and hour of the girl’s birth recorded on a formal document.

The groom’s family would place this document on the ancestral altar for three days. If no inauspicious omens, e.g. quarrels between the parents or a loss of property, took place within that time, the parents would give the information to a astrological expert to confirm that the young woman and their son would make a good match. If the boy’s family found the horoscope to be favorable, they gave the boy’s birth date and hour to the go-between to bring to the girl’s family, who would go through the same process.

Only after both outcomes were favorable, would the two families arrange to meet. Finally face-to-face, each family evaluated the other in terms of appearance, education, character, and social position. If both were satisfied they would proceed to the betrothal.

 

The Betrothal First both sets of parents exchanged family credentials as tokens of intention. Then, after extensive bargainingbargaining, the two , the two

families would arrive at the amount of money and goods that would make up the gift to the girl’s family. After families would arrive at the amount of money and goods that would make up the gift to the girl’s family. After presenting presenting engagement tokensengagement tokens, the go-between would ask the bride’s family to chose among several, the go-between would ask the bride’s family to chose among severalauspicious wedding dates suggested by the boy’s family and also set a date for presenting betrothal gifts. suggested by the boy’s family and also set a date for presenting betrothal gifts.

The boy’s family presented betrothal gifts The boy’s family presented betrothal gifts of money and significant items such as tea, of money and significant items such as tea, "Dragon (male) and Phoenix "Dragon (male) and Phoenix (female)"(female)" bridal cakes, pairs of male and female poultry, sweetmeats and sugar, wine and tobacco, accompanied by an  bridal cakes, pairs of male and female poultry, sweetmeats and sugar, wine and tobacco, accompanied by an itemized statement of these gifts. Tea was such a primary part of these gifts in some areas that they were known collectively itemized statement of these gifts. Tea was such a primary part of these gifts in some areas that they were known collectively as as cha-licha-li, that is, "tea presents." The girl’s family reciprocated with gifts of food and clothing., that is, "tea presents." The girl’s family reciprocated with gifts of food and clothing.

It was customary for the girl’s family to distribute the It was customary for the girl’s family to distribute the bridal cakesbridal cakes they received from the boy’s family to friends and relatives  they received from the boy’s family to friends and relatives as a form of announcement and invitation to the wedding feast. The number of cakes given to each was established according as a form of announcement and invitation to the wedding feast. The number of cakes given to each was established according to a rigid etiquette, on the basis of seniority and degree of intimacy. Those who received the bridal cakes, were expected to to a rigid etiquette, on the basis of seniority and degree of intimacy. Those who received the bridal cakes, were expected to present congratulatory gifts to the girl’s parents.present congratulatory gifts to the girl’s parents.

The boy’s family’s gifts acknowledged the parents’ efforts in raising the girl, and The boy’s family’s gifts acknowledged the parents’ efforts in raising the girl, and by accepting the gifts, the girl’s family by accepting the gifts, the girl’s family pledged her to the boy’spledged her to the boy’s. It is interesting to note that the bride was given to the family rather than the groom alone. Although . It is interesting to note that the bride was given to the family rather than the groom alone. Although the bride and groom probably had not met yet, the bride and groom probably had not met yet, betrothal was considered binding unless both families agreed to annul the  unless both families agreed to annul the contract.contract.

Several days after the presentation of the betrothal gifts, the girl’s family sent porters with an inventoried Several days after the presentation of the betrothal gifts, the girl’s family sent porters with an inventoried dowrydowry to the boy’s  to the boy’s house. The dowry consisted of practical items, including a chamber pot, filled for the occasion with fruit and strings of coins. house. The dowry consisted of practical items, including a chamber pot, filled for the occasion with fruit and strings of coins. This procession gave the girl’s family the opportunity to display both their social status and their love for their daughter, and This procession gave the girl’s family the opportunity to display both their social status and their love for their daughter, and wealthy parents often included serving girls to attend their daughter in her new home.wealthy parents often included serving girls to attend their daughter in her new home.

Betrothals generally lasted for a year or two, although child betrothals would last until the children had grown to marriageable Betrothals generally lasted for a year or two, although child betrothals would last until the children had grown to marriageable age.age.

Day of the Wedding The "Hair Dressing" Ritual of the bride and the "Capping" Ritual of the groom symbolized

their initiation into adulthood and were important parts of the wedding preparations. Red, symbolic of joy, featured prominently in the clothing and other ritual objects pertaining to the wedding.

The "Hair Dressing" Ritual At dawn on her wedding day (or the night before), the bride bathed in water infused with

pumelo, a variety of grapefruit, to cleanse her of evil influences –; and one suspects as a cosmetic to soften her skin in the manner of contemporary alphahydroxls. She put on new underclothes and sat before lit dragon-and-phoenix candles.

A ‘good luck woman’ attended the bridal preparations. She spoke auspicious words while dressing the bride’s hair in the style of a married woman.

After her hair was styled, the bride emerged from her retreat. She was carried to the main hall on the back of the ‘good luck’ woman or her most senior sister-in-law. There she donned a jacket and skirt and stepped into a pair of red shoes, placed in the center of a sieve. The bride’s face was covered with either a red silk veil or a ‘curtain’ of tassels or beads that hung from the bridal Phoenix crown. (The photo below was taken at the mock wedding at a prior year’s Chinese Summer Festival.

The "Capping" Ritual Dressed in a long gown, red shoes and a red silk sash with a silk ball on his shoulder, the groom

knelt at the family altar while his father placed a cap decorated with cypress leaves on his head. The groom bowed first before the tablets of Heaven and Earth and his ancestors, then to his

parents and the assembled family members. His father removed the silk ball from the sash and placed it on top of the bridal sedan chair.

The Procession from the Groom’s House to Obtain the Bride The dim of firecrackers, loud gongs and drums marked the start of the procession from the

groom’s home. The groom led the procession accompanied by a child as an omen of his future sons, and the bridal sedan chair was proceeded by attendants with lanterns and banners, musicians, and a ‘dancing’ lion or unicorn. According to Hsiang, "Several decades ago, when there was a wedding in Fukien, the groom would to the bride’s house to fetch her, taking with him the bridal chair, which was completely covered with red satin and fresh flowers. He himself made the journey there and back in a blue and yellow teak sedan chair. "

On arriving at the bride’s house, the groom’s party was met by the bride’s friends, who would not ‘surrender ’the bride until they were satisfied by red packets of money, ang pau from the groom’s representative. This was the occasion of much good-natured haggling before the two parties could reach an agreement.

The Wedding In contrast to the elaborate preparations, the 

wedding ceremony itself was simple. The bride and groom were conducted to the family altar, where they paid homage to Heaven and Earth, the family ancestors and the Kitchen God, Tsao-Chün. Tea, generally with two lotus seeds or two red dates in the cup, was offered to the groom’s parents.

Then the bride and groom bowed to each other. This completed the marriage ceremony, except in some regions, where both also drank wine from the same goblet, ate sugar molded in the form of a rooster, and partook of the wedding dinner together.

POST-WEDDING RITUALDay After the Wedding On the day after the wedding, the bride awoke early to attend

honor the ancestors at dawn. It was only then that she was then formally introduced to the groom’s relatives and friends. As she knelt before each of the older relatives, she received a small gift. The bride’s parents-in-law gave her a title according to her husband’s seniority in the family hierarchy.

Three Days After the Wedding In general, three days after the wedding, the couple paid a visit

to the bride’s family home, where the bride is now received as a guest.

"bound feet" or Chinese:  縛腳 ; Pe0h-ōe-jī: pa0k-kha, "Lotus feet") is the custom of applying painfully tight binding to the feet of young girls to prevent further growth. The practice possibly originated among upper class court dancers in the early Song dynasty, but spread and eventually became common among all but the lowest of classes. Eventually foot binding became very popular because men thought it to be highly attractive. Even today in China (Guangzhou), there are families with "lotus foot ancestry". In Guangzhou in the late 19th century, for example, it was usual to bind the feet of the eldest daughter of a lower-class family who was intended to be brought up as a lady. Her normal-footed sisters would grow up to be bond-servants or domestic slaves, and, when old enough, the concubines of rich men or the wives of laboring men - able to work in the fields alongside them. In contrast, the tiny narrow feet of the "ladies" were considered beautiful and made a woman's movements more feminine and dainty. It was assumed these eldest daughters would never need to work.

China’s Governmentand Literature

Form of Government: People's Republic.

Constitution. Fourth constitution since 1954; effective December 1982.

Chief of State. President/chairman of the republic.

THE FIRST SAGE OF CHINA

Confucius or Kung Fu-tzu (551–479 BCE) Born of a poor but aristocratic family in the

state of Lu, he was orphaned at an early age.• Held minor government posts• Died at the age of 72• Taught a total of 3,000 disciples • His former students and disciples gathered

together, in order to assemble all the sayings of their teacher.

They looked upon their great teacher as an - Educator- Statesman- Philosopher- Traditionalist- & the Founder of Chinese Literature

5 Books of Confucius1. Book of Changes (Yi King)- made up of a geometrical combination of six

lines plus sixty four explanatory essays.

- used for divination- supposed by some to present a secret and

profound philosophy but no key has been found.

2. Book of Ceremonies (Li King)

-this voluminous work on etiquette was re-edited about 100 B.C. by two Tai cousins, based on documents allegedly written by Confucius.

3. Book of Historical Documents (Shu King)- this is a formulation of the political ideals

and fundamentals of good government.

4. Book of Poetry (Shi King)- a selection of 305 best poems, the book stresses

the cherishing of thoughts and sentiments of forebears.

- Some poems are odes written for various occasions; some are lyric.

- The book is valuable for insight into manners and customs of the ancient Chinese

5. Book of Spring and Autumn (Ch’un Ch’iu)

- its praises were as stimulating as spring, while its censures were as withering as autumn.

Mencius

- a good organizer and proselytizer- Gathered the discourses and sayings of

Confucius as recorded by the disciples and organized them into books, the best known of which is the book of Analects.

6 principles:

1. Human nature is good and evil is essentially unnatural.

2. Man is free to conduct himself as he will, and he is master of his choice.

3. Virtue is its own reward’. If one does good for a reward or avoids evil for fear of punishment – that is not virtue.

4. The rule for individual behavior is: what you do not want others do unto you, do not do to them.

5. A man has five duties: to his ruler; to his father; his wife ( and she to him); to his elder brother; to his friends; and the most important of these is filial duty.

6. Man should strive to become a superior man.

CONFUCIANISM- the philosophical system founded on the

teaching of Confucius (551-479 B.C.)- It sought to help the rulers maintain

domestic order, preserve tradition, and maintain a constant standard of living for the tazpaying peasants.

Doctrine

- to the humanistic understanding of Heaven, humanity and the harmony between them, while also forming its own distinctive doctrines through concentrating on human self-cultivation and self-transformation.

At the heart of Mencius' teaching is the belief that human beings are born with the knowledge of the good and the ability to do well. Everyone is born with what Mencius described as the 'four beginnings': benevolence, righteousness, respect and the capacity to distinguish the "right" from the "wrong".

Anyone who fully realises his heart/mind understands Heaven and serves the mandate of Heaven, through which he is able to become a sage, and participates in the creation and recreation of Heaven and Earth.

These beliefs influenced Mencius' perception of politics. The doctrine of benevolence must be brought into politics so that government is humane and moral. It is the responsibility of the ruler to ensure the economic well being of his subjects, to provide them with education and, in doing so, to rule through winning their loyalty and confidence rather than through force.

CHINESE POETS

1. Wang Wei (699-759)- Chinese painter- Poet- Founder of the pure landscape style of

painting- One of the masters of lyrics verse in the

Táng dynasty.

- withdrew from society to paint- Founder of southern school of Chinese art- And a model for the later literati (wen-jen)

artist, or unworldly poet-painter.

The Cold Mountain

The cold mountain turns dark greenThe autumn stream flows murmuring on.Leaning on my staff beneath the wicket

gate,In the rushing wind I hear the cry of the

aged cicada.

Departure

I have just seen you go down the mountain.

I close the wicket gate in the setting sun.The grass will be green again in the

coming spring.But will the wandered ever return?

Walking at Leisure

Walking at leisure we watch laurel flowers falling.

In the silence of this night the spring mountain is empty.

The moon rises, the birds are startled.As they sing occationally near the spring

fountain.

Drinking Alone in the Midnight

A cup of wine, under the flowering trees;I drink alone, for no friend is near.

Raising my cup I beckon the bright moon,For he, with my shadow, will make three men.

The moon, alas, is no drinker of wine;Listless, my shadow creeps about at my side.

Yet with the moon as friend and the shadow as slave

I must make merry before the Spring is spent.

To the songs I sing the moon flickers her beams;

In the dance I weave my shadow tangles and breaks.

While we were sober, three shared the fun;

Now we are drunk, each goes his way.

May we long share our odd, inanimate feast,

And meet at last on the Cloudy River of the sky.[1]

II

In the third month the town of Hsien-yangIs thick-spread with a carpet of fallen flowers.Who in Spring can bear to grieve alone?Who, sober, look on sights like these?Riches and Poverty, long or short life,By the Maker of Things are portioned and

disposed;

But a cup of wine levels life and death

And a thousand things obstinately hard to prove.

When I am drunk, I lose Heaven and Earth.

Motionless—I cleave to my lonely bed.

At last I forget that I exist at all,

And at that moment my joy is great indeed.

III

If High Heaven had no love for wine,There would not be a Wine Star in the sky.If Earth herself had no love for wine,There would not be a city called Wine Springs.[2]Since Heaven and Earth both love wine,I can love wine, without shame before God.Clear wine was once called a Saint;[3]Thick wine was once called “a Sage.”[3]

Of Saint and Sage I have long quaffed deep,

What need for me to study spirits and hsien?[4]

At the third cup I penetrate the Great Way;

A full gallon—Nature and I are one ...

But the things I feel when wine possesses my soul

I will never tell to those who are not drunk.

Tu Fu (710-70)

- regarded by many as the greatest Chinese poet.

- Raised according to Confucian tradition- Failed an examination that would have

assured him of a government post- Spent much of his youth traveling around

China

The Empty Purse

The bitter pine cone may be eaten,The mist on high give nourishmentThe whole world takes to go-and-getting;May way alone is difficult:

My Oven is cold as the well at morning,And the bed wants warmth from coverlets;My purse ashamed to found emptyStill keeps on hand a single coin.

Summer Nights

Cool perfume of bamboo pervades my room,Wild moonlight in the whole courtyard:Drop my drop falls the crystal dew.One by one the moving stars appear.The feeling glow worms sparkle in dark corners,The waterfowl on the riverbank call to one another;Everything in the world follows the path of war...I sit on my bed, meditating through the long night.

SOURCE: http://nothingistic.org/library/confucius/analects/

analects14.html http://history.cultural-china.com/en/

165History8897.html http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16500/16500-h/

16500-h.htm http://loucheur.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-

night-cool-perfume-of-bamboo.html* http://jungleinablog.blogspot.com/2006/01/empty-

purse.html

Photo Source: http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/W/WeiWang/

images/WeiWang.jpg http://www.poems-and-poetry.com/wp-content/

uploads/2008/10/wang-wei.jpeg http://poetrydispatch.files.wordpress.com/

2007/11/454px-dufu.jpg?w=510 http://www.stillness.com/tao/li%20po.txt http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b45/

deadpoet13/depressed.jpg

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