The Chinese Culture Company
March 12th, the 19th day of the second lunar month, is celebrated by Buddhists as Guanyin’s birthday. Guanyin, an enlightened being called a Bodhisattva, is also known in Sanskrit as Avalokitesvara and in English as the Goddess of Mercy, and her statue can be found in most Buddhist temples.
Read on to find out more about her and the celebration!
Continue reading “Marking Guanyin’s Birthday – March 12th 2020”
In 2020, the Lantern Festival (Yuánxiāo jié 元宵节) falls on February 8th, the fifteenth and final day of Spring Festival. Although it’s not a public holiday, it is still widely celebrated, especially in southern China and amongst the diaspora.
What’s this holiday all about and how can you celebrate it? Read on to find out!
We are facing difficult times at the moment in China. People are worried about getting sick, and transportation and daily life is being disrupted. Despite this, life does still have to go on. If you have decided to stick it out, and are looking for things to do in Beijing in the coming few weeks, there are still several options for cultural activities from Cultural Keys, Culture Yard, Black Sesame Kitchen and B-Electric Beijing .
Read on to find out what’s happening!
Continue reading “Cultural Activities in Beijing this February”
In many Western countries rats and mice are simultaneously considered to carry disease and also to be cute. Similarly, in China, whilst the animal itself is still unwelcome, as the first of the twelve zodiac signs rats are actually very auspicious. So what lies ahead this new year? Read on to find out what kind of energy the Rat will be bringing you!
In China, the new year is calculated according to the lunar calendar (农历; Nónglì). Although the Gregorian calendar is standard, the lunar calendar dictates the dates of traditional Chinese holidays and helps people choose auspicious days for important life changes such as weddings, funerals, moving house or starting a business.
At Spring Festival there are many ways to decorate, but one of the most common is to paste the character ‘fu’, 福, on doors and windows. There is evidence that this custom dates back to the Song dynasty (AD 960 – 1279).
福 is pronounced fú and means ‘blessings’. It is traditionally handwritten in black or gold ink by itself on square red paper, with the corners pointing in the directions of the compass, and it is hung up facing outwards to keep bad luck away and bring good luck to the home. It is often hung with other decorations, such as couplets and red lanterns.
Continue reading “福 – China’s luckiest character? 2020 Edition”