Chrysanthemums bloom in the cold autumn air,representing elegance and courage in China. Chinese scholars speak highly of ju hua for their beauty and character.

在中国菊花代表高雅脱俗，因其在深秋不畏寒霜开放，深受中国古代文人的喜爱。

Ju hua also has another meaning.

菊花还有另一层意义。

They are also used to convey grief for loved ones who have passed away.

人们在纪念逝去的亲人时，通常会用菊花寄托哀思。

In addition,ju hua can be used as an ingredient for tea,wine and food.

另外，菊花还可做茶、酿酒、做各种食物。

Festivals for ju hua are held annually in China.

中国每年都有菊花盛会。

Ju hua blossoms remain open in late-autumn and winter when other flowers have withered.

秋冬时节，万花凋零，只有菊花绽放。

 … Read the rest

A matchmaker,often called hong niang in China,is a messenger of love.

在中国，红娘是爱情使者的代名词。

In a Chinese love story,a young man fell in love with a rich lady. The lady’s family strongly objected to this marriage.

这种说法来源于中国古代一个爱情故事，一位书生爱上一位富家小姐，但是小姐的家人反对他们的爱情。

The family’s maid,named Hong Niang,persuaded the rich family to approve the marriage.

小姐有位聪明伶俐的侍女叫做红娘，她劝解小姐的母亲，最终促成小姐和书生的美好姻缘。

There are many other stories about hong niang in Chinese literature and drama.

中国的文学、戏曲中有很多表现红娘故事的作品。

Chinese are more than happy to be a hong niang because they believe those who bring happiness to others will be happy themselves.

生活中，也有很多人乐于当红娘，因为中国人相信给别人幸福，也会给自己带来幸福。

Now you understand that Hong Niang is the Chinese Cupid.

现在，你明白了吧。红娘就是中国的丘比特。… Read the rest

Chinese wedding,hun li,were held grandly and elegantly at sunset thousands of years ago.

在两三千年以前，中国的婚礼更多是在黄昏举行，整个仪式庄重、典雅。

Modern hun li are held more lively with more variation in style.

现在的婚礼形式更多，场面也更加热闹。

There are many traditions in this multi-ethnic country.

中国是个多民族的国家，民族多，婚礼的习俗也多。

Displaying the Chinese character ‘xi’ and throwing a feast are quite common at hun li.

现在，在民间婚礼大多要贴喜字、摆宴席。

The bride is her most beautiful on hun li.

婚礼的那天是新娘最漂亮的一天。

The tailored costumes range from cheongsam to Western-style gowns and veils.

新娘要穿上专门定制的几套衣服，从东方的旗袍到西式的婚礼。

The bride and bridegroom exchange rings with each other,which represent vows of love.

新郎与新娘还互戴上象征誓言的戒指。

They accomplish the most important ceremony in their life,hun li,with the blessing of family and friends.

在亲朋的祝福下完成一生最重要的仪式之一，婚礼。

 … Read the rest

People paste pictures of Door Gods on their doors to avoid bad luck and pray for safety.

人们用贴门神的方法来驱邪避鬼、祈求平安。

Legends say that an emperor was harassed by demons.

相传，古时有位皇帝被恶鬼骚扰。

Two generals drove out the demons so the emperor was able to fall asleep.

两位武将夜夜护驾，皇帝才得以安寝。

The emperor pasted pictures of these two generals on his door and the demons disappeared.

皇帝命画匠绘制二人的图像贴在门口，恶鬼从此消失。

People pray that these heroes will guard them from evil.

现在，人们贴门神已经变成贴年画，以求获得好运和吉祥。

Menshen signifies the beginning of a new year,they guard the home for Chinese.

门神预示着新年的开始，守卫着中国人的家园。

 … Read the rest

The performance that you just saw was the Lion Dance(wu shi),a Chinese traditional folk art.

“刚才我表演的是舞狮，这是中国的一项民间艺术。”

Lions are considered brave and auspicious in China.

在中国，狮子是勇猛和吉祥的象征。

People perform wu shi on festivals to ward off bad luck and pray for a happy life.

每逢喜庆节日，人们都会舞狮来赶走晦气，以求生活幸福安宁。

There are two dancers—one for the head and one for the rear.

舞狮者有两人，狮头一人，狮尾一人。

They cooperate with each other to make the different gestures of the lion.

他们相互配合，做出狮子的各种形态动作。

“I hold the head,and it is a tiring job. The performance is becoming more difficult”.

“啊，我拿的是狮子头，很累的，更难的还在后面呢！”

The dancers must have basic martial arts training,therefore they can accomplish difficult maneuvers.

舞狮者要具备一定的武术功底，只有技术高超的舞狮者才敢做出高难度的动作。

Now wu shi is not only popular in China but also in any place where Chinese live.

现在，舞狮不仅是在中国流行，凡是有华人的地方，几乎都有舞狮表演。

“If there’s a Lion Dance in your country,why not watch it?”

“如果你的国家有华人舞狮，不妨去看看吧。”… Read the rest

Feng shui is a mystical knowledge in China.

风水是中国非常神秘的一门学术。

People believe that the basic elements of things on the earth originated from air,water and land.

人们认为在地球上，万物的基础都来自于空气、水分和土地，

The improvement of feng shui will improve the relationship between humans and nature.

改善风水，就是改善人与自然的关系。

Feng shui is widely used in architecture and interior design.

风水最多的用途是在建筑和布置家居。

Chinese believe that the best houses should be integrated into nature.

中国人认为最好的房子要融在大自然里。

Water brings vitality and fish bring good luck.

有水会带来生机和活力，有鱼会带来好运。

These elements determine the quality of feng shui.

这些都是决定风水好坏的因素。

Feng shui involves medicine,architecture and philosophy.

风水包含了医学、建筑学、哲学。

Chinese put emphasis on feng shui and the harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

中国人看中风水，看中人与自然的调和与平衡。

This is feng shui complicated and mysterious.

它复杂而神秘，这就是风水。… Read the rest

Europe has 12 constellations,while China has 12 animals symbolising the 12 branches used to designate years.

欧洲人有十二星座，中国人有十二生肖

The 12 animals finish a cycle every 12 years and each of them guards one year.

十二生肖以十二年为一个周期，以十二种动物轮流当班。

Chinese believe that those who are born in a certain year would inherit the traits of the animal guarding that year.

中国人认为相应年份出生的人都有自己的特殊品质。

Rats are wise and cattle are hard-working. Tigers are courageous and rabbits are prudent. Dragons are rich and respectful,and snakes are romantic. Horses are fast and a sheep are sincere. Monkeys are smart and flexible,while chickens are endowed with beauty. Dogs are faithful and pigs are amiable.

老鼠代表智慧，牛代表勤奋，老虎代表勇猛，兔子代表谨慎，龙代表富贵，蛇代表浪漫，马代表速度，羊代表忠诚，猴子代表灵活，鸡代表美丽，狗代表忠诚，猪代表随和。

Do you know what your symbolic animal denoting the year of your birth?

你了解自己的属相吗？… Read the rest

The Dai ethnic group lives in southeastern China’s Yunnan Province. Each year they hold a grand festival called the Water-Splashing Festival(po shui jie).

在中国云南省有一个民族叫傣族，他们有一个盛大的节日叫泼水节。

People dressed in beautiful clothes sing dance and splash water on each other on the morning of the festival.

节日的一大早人们会穿上盛装，唱歌、跳舞、相互泼水。

Don’t get angry if you are drenched it represents a blessing. More water means more good luck in the coming year.

要是被泼的浑身湿透可千万不要生气，因为它代表着祝福；被泼的越多，新的一年就会越健康、幸福。

If a young man receives pouches made by a girl that means the girl has fallen in love with him.

如果是个小伙子，这一天可能会收到少女制作的荷包，那是她在向你表达爱意。

Po shui jie is regarded as the Valentine’s Day for the Dai ethnic group.

原来，这泼水节还是傣族人的情人节。

Po shui jie has become part of the culture in Yunnan Province. Nowadays,not only Dai people but also tourists participate in this exciting carnival.

现在，泼水节成了云南的一道风景，不仅是傣族人，很多游客也会特意赶来，参加这个吉祥好玩的狂欢节。

 … Read the rest