Chinese Wine Culture The Origin of Chinese Wine
Chinese wine, as a special form of culture, has a history of more than five thousand years . Chinese wine making can be traced back as far as 4000 BC, to the early period of the Neolithic Yangshao Culture (新石器时代的仰韶文化 ). During its long development, Chinese wine has developed distinctive characteristics. Types of Chinese Wine Huangjiu (yellow rice wine)
Huangjiu is one of three dominated brewed wines (beer and grape wine) in the world. Huang Jiu predates all the other liquors, with a history of several thousand years. Among these liquors the Shaoxing Rice Wine is the most famous. Baijiu(white wine)
Being made from sorghum, corn, barley or wheat Fruit Wine
Fermented alcoholic beverages made from a variety of base ingredients (other than grapes); May also have additional flavors taken from fruits, flowers, and herbs. Red Wine
A type of wine made from dark-coloured (black) grape varieties. The actual colour of the wine can range from intense violet, typical of young wines, through to brick red for mature wines and brown for older red wines. Beer
Toast etiquette
Chinese Drinking Etiquette(礼仪)
The Chinese people care more about the people we drink with. That is Chinese drinking etiquette reflects the respect of the drinkers The host and guests have their own seat and order of toast(敬酒顺序)
When toast,the host come first,and firstly,they should toast the most honored guest. The wine vessel must be full.
The younger should toast the elder and drink all of the wine.(先干为敬) Western Drinking Etiquette
The drinking etiquette of west show the respect of wine.
To distinguish wine we need to watch its color, smell its fragrance, taste its taste(观其色、闻其香、品其味). They drink for enjoying, so sometimes they drink themselves. They do not encourage others to drink, neither do they consider letting other drunk is a way to show their etiquette.
Chapter 4 Traditional Festivals and Customs
Words and Expressions
Legal holiday/ official holiday 法定节假日 Solar calendar阳历
Lunar calendar 阴历 / Agricultural calendar 农历 Spring Festival （春节） Lantern Festival (元宵节）
Tomb-sweeping Festival/ Qing Ming Festival (清明节） Dragon Boat Festival（端午节） Mid-autumn Festival （中秋节） Double Ninth Festival （重阳节）
Intangible Cultural Heritage非物质文化遗产 Spring Festival （春节）
China’s most important festival falls on the 1st day of the 1st lunar month each year. Family members gather just as they do for Christmas in the West. Customs Spring Cleaning
Write and paste couplets(对联) on doors Set off fireworks Receive Gift Money Greet each other
Lantern Festival (元宵节）
The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, is closely related to the Spring Festival. It marks the end of the New Year celebrations, following which life returns to normal. The most prominent activity of the Lantern Festival is the grand display of beautiful lanterns.
Customs Guessing Riddles Eating Yuanxiao
Tomb-sweeping Festival (清明节）
Tomb-sweeping Day is a time to remember the dead and the dearly departed. More important, it is a period to honor and to pay respect to one’s deceased（亡故的） ancestors and family members. It falls in early spring. “Qing Ming” literally means “Pure Brightness”.
After the festival, the temperature rises and rainfall increases in readiness for spring plowing (春耕) and sowing. Customs
Visit the graves of the ancestors Sweep the ashes on the tomb Go to the suburb (Ta Qing) Dragon Boat Festival（端午节）
The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. Customs Eating Zongzi
Holding dragon boat races Mid-autumn Festival （中秋节）
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in October. The round shape to a Chinese means family reunion, therefore the Mid-Autumn Festival is most romanticized in China as a day of family reunion and a festival with friends. Customs Eating mooncakes Enjoying the full moon
Double Ninth Festival （重阳节）
The Double-Ninth Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month and has a history of more than 1,700 years. The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is a day when the two Yang numbers meet. So it is called Chong Yang. Customs
Climb the mountains(登高） Appreciate chrysanthemums（赏菊） Visit the Old Men House Other traditional festivals
Qixi Festival (Double Seventh Festival )
The Double Seventh Festival, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, is a traditional festival full of romance. It has been regarded as China’s Valentine's Day. Ghost Festival(中元节)
In Chinese tradition, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Ghost Day and the seventh month in general is regarded as the Ghost Month , in which ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from the underworld. Customs
People often prepare a large feast to the ghosts.
People release river lights to warm and comfort the homeless ghosts. The lotus lights direct the ways of the underworld to the spirits.
Burning paper money and other offerings to let the ghosts live a better life underworld Winter Solstice冬至 Laba (腊八)
Special Festivals in Hainan Junpo Festival
It is the biggest festival of local Han people after Chinese New Year to worship the national heroine called Madam Xian (513-603). Madam Xian was a politician and militarist who has been honored by the folks of Hainan for 1300 years. She conquered the local rebellions and actively promoted the communication of Hainan Island with mainland China. She has donated all her life to the development of local agriculture and economy. Sanyuesan Festival/March Third Festival
The Sanyuesan Festival, also named March Third Festival is the traditional festival of the Li and Miao minorities in the Hainan Island which takes place on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month of the year. This is the chance for the young girls and boys to get together for singing and dancing. Young people will look for their beloved by singing and dancing competition.
Bamboo Dance is a must during this festival by girls and boys in traditional clothes.
Chapter 9 Traditional Architecture in China
Words and Expressions imperial palaces 皇宫，皇家宫殿 gardens 园林 temples 寺庙
civilian residential housing民居 the Forbidden City 紫禁城，故宫 the Summer Palace 颐和园
The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses 秦始皇兵马俑 The Characteristics of Chinese Ancient Architecture
Traditionally, Chinese architecture, from the village houses to imperial palaces, features the following characteristics: Timber framework
Ancient Chinese architecture featured timber framework as the supporting structure. Walls were not load bearing; they were only used to separate spaces. The timber frame supported most of the weight of the house, so windows, doors, and walls were not restricted to certain locations. Balance and symmetrical Layout
Chinese structures are based on the principle of balance and symmetry（对称）. The main structure is the axis(轴线). The secondary structures are positioned as two wings on either side to form the main room and yard.
The elegant outlines(轮廓) and varied structures(结构) Colorful decorations and ornaments Types of Ancient Chinese Architecture Palaces
Architectural Features of Palace Architecture:
--The ancient palaces were strictly laid out on central axis. -- Yellow roof tiles were used.
--The wooden columns of the buildings, as well as the surface of the walls, tend to be red in color. --The dragon totem was frequently decorated on Imperial architecture.