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Martial Arts
Martial arts generally refer to Kung Fu.
Chinese Kung Fu is famous worldwide.
Enjoy watching various Kung Fu movies.
Practice martial arts as a sport.
Study Tai Chi sword.
Practicing Tai Chi sword for twenty minutes daily prevents tiredness.
Martial arts are a full-body exercise and beneficial for health.
Martial arts train the mind and willpower, fostering diligence, courage, and perseverance.
Allows for making many friends.
In China, many people practice martial arts in parks, including swordplay, Kung Fu fan, and Tai Chi.
Kung Fu is popular in the United States with many learning centers.
Martial arts spread Chinese culture, fostering friendship and peace.
Aspire to visit the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Chinese martial arts.
Interacting with other martial arts enthusiasts is valuable.
Li Bai
Born in 701.
Family had high status, but wasn't wealthy in youth.
Father was an official; Li Bai received a good education.
Interested in literature from a young age.
Bought many ancient books to enhance writing skills.
Traveled in his twenties to find inspiration for his creations.
Travel experiences influenced his poetry.
Poems are famous for being free-spirited and imaginative.
Enjoyed a free life and nature.
Poems cover themes like landscapes, friendship, love, and principles of life.
Evoke romance and provide historical information about ancient China.
Known as the "Immortal Poet" and influential globally.
Poems translated into many languages, inspiring poets worldwide.
Movie "Grandson from America"
Chinese film about Old Yang, a shadow puppet master.
Old Yang's son arrives with his American fiancée and her child.
Son and fiancée leave, leaving the child with Old Yang.
Film depicts overcoming cultural and language differences.
Themes include family relationships, different cultures, and rural-urban contrasts.
Examines generational differences and globalization's impact on traditional culture.
Includes shadow puppetry, adding cultural flavor.
Conveys the importance of family and cultural connections through gentle humor.
Gaokao (China's University Entrance Examination)
Held every June for high school students nationwide.
Results determine university admissions.
Extremely important for students' futures.
Includes subjects like mathematics, Chinese, English, and electives.
Students need high scores to enter desired universities.
Preparation involves significant studying and reviewing.
Students experience high pressure due to exam's importance.
Gaokao affects individual futures and has societal impact.
Considered a fair competition for university admissions.
Remains a vital part of the Chinese education system despite some issues.
Chinese Characters and Radicals
Radicals are parts of characters, usually on the left or top.
Help understand meaning and pronunciation of characters.
Make learning Chinese characters easier.
Example: "木" (wood) radical in characters like "林" (forest) and "森" (forest).
Radicals hold cultural significance and represent Chinese history and culture.
Each character has its own story, such as "安" (peace) consisting of "宀" (roof) and "女" (woman).
Emperor Wen and Filial Piety
Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty was filial to his mother, Empress Dowager Bo.
Personally cared for her when she fell ill.
Tasted medicine before giving it to ensure it wasn't too hot or bitter.
Story signifies deep care and attention towards parents, symbolizing filial piety.
Teaches care and respect for parents.
Idiom "亲尝汤药" (personally tasting the medicine) used to praise filial individuals and encourage valuing family relationships.
Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
Located in Anhui Province, China.
Renowned for strange landscapes, unique pines, peculiar rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs.
Famous spots: Lotus Peak, Bright Summit, and the Greeting Pine.
Lotus Peak offers a view of the entire mountain range.
Bright Summit is ideal for watching the sunrise.
Greeting Pine is an 800-year-old tree welcoming visitors.
Huangshan has rich cultural significance, inspiring poets and painters.
Recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site.
Pingyao Ancient City
Located in Shanxi Province, China.
Significant role in China's economy; important ancient city.
Built during the Western Zhou period; thousands of years old.
Designed according to the "Eight Trigrams" of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Represents heaven, earth, and humans, reflecting ancient Chinese worldview.
City wall reconstructed by Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty in 1370.
City wall features six unique gates and four corner towers.
A World Cultural Heritage site.
Showcases ancient Chinese city planning and architecture.
Attracts many tourists, encouraging cultural exchange.
Materials for Recording Before Paper
Ancient Indians used leaves.
Ancient Babylonians used clay tablets.
Ancient Romans used wax tablets.
Shang Dynasty China: characters carved on oracle bones and bamboo slips.
Eastern Han Dynasty: Cai Lun invented papermaking.
Made paper from tree bark, hemp, rags, and old fishing nets.
Cai Lun's paper was cheaper, high quality, and lightweight.
Paper's invention crucial for recording history, preserving culture, and spreading ideas.
Greatly benefited human civilization.
Unlucky Numbers in Chinese Culture
Pronunciations resembling negative meanings:
"Four" sounds like "death."
"250" is a derogatory term for foolishness or stupidity.
Odd numbers sometimes considered unlucky due to lack of pairing.
Influences daily life: avoiding these numbers in phone numbers, license plates, floor numbers.
Important days (e.g., weddings, openings) avoid unlucky numbers for good luck.
Red envelopes never contain unlucky numbers or odd amounts.
The Nian Beast Legend
Mythical creature descending yearly on the last day of the lunar year.
Attacks people and animals; villagers hide or flee.
An old man advised using loud noises, bright lights, and red decorations to scare the beast.
Villagers used firecrackers, lanterns, and red decorations to drive it away.
Celebrated annually with spring couplets, dragon dances, and fireworks.
Symbolizes bravery in facing fears and challenges.
Integral part of Chinese New Year traditions.
Cantonese Cuisine
Originates from Guangdong Province; one of China's Eight Great Cuisines.
Flavors are mild, fresh, and natural, with careful seasoning.
Famous dishes: White Cut Chicken, Cantonese Roast Goose, Stir-Fried Beef Noodles.
Famous dim sum dishes: rice noodle rolls, shrimp dumplings, BBQ pork buns, siu mai.
History traces back over 2000 years to the Han Dynasty.
Development boosted when the capital moved south and chefs gathered in Guangzhou.
Popular by the Ming and Qing dynasties with numerous teahouses, hotels, and restaurants.
The Dragon in Chinese Culture
Symbol of power, good luck, and nobility.
Legend: Dragon became a zodiac animal by finishing fifth in a race initiated by the Jade Emperor.
Emperors considered "true dragon sons of heaven" with power from dragons.
Symbolizes China; people call themselves "descendants of the dragon."
Dragon image prevalent in traditional art, architecture, and festivals.
Dragon dance performances are a key Chinese New Year tradition symbolizing peace and prosperity.
Bike Sharing
Originated in the Netherlands in the 1960s with free bikes by environmentalists.
Became more common in the early 21st century with technological advancements.
Allows efficient and environmentally friendly travel using mobile apps.
Reduces air pollution as cycling emits no harmful gases.
Reduces traffic congestion, making city roads smoother.
Promotes health, as cycling is excellent exercise.
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