Chinese Traditional Culture

Chinese Culture Overview China: 9,600,000 square kilometers, is proud of five

thousand years’ history. 56 ethnic groups: living in China have developed their

own customs.

Too many culture elements!

Brief Contents 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism 2. Modern business culture & etiquette. 3. Chinese cuisine. 4. Chinese arts and crafts: Painting, operas, embroidery, China and martial arts

1. Religion and Philosophy

• China has an approximately 4100-year recorded history. ( From the endless primeval period, around 2,100 B.C.)

• Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are the three great thoughts. Most social values are derived from Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

Item Central Figure

Neonatal Date Duration Sum

Confucianism Confucius 479 BC To 2013 2500 years

Taoism Laozi 6th century BC To 2013 2500 years

Buddhism Sakyamuni 6th century BC into China in

6th Century AD

To 2013 1500 years

The Leading Figures

Confucius Lao Zi Shakyamuni

Confucianism Taoism Buddhism

1.1 Confucianism

Confucius• Confucianism ( 儒家 ; pinyin: Rújiā) is a Chinese

ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of Confucius (Kǒng Fūzǐ, lit. "Master Kong", 551–478 BC).

• It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia.

Teachings of Confucianism

The basic clout of Confucianism stresses the importance of the individual moral development, so that the state can be governed by moral virtue rather than by the laws.

Golden mean (philosophy): the felicitous middle between the extremes of excess and deficiency “ Rid the two ends, take the middle one.”

Relationships are central to Confucianism. Particular duties arise from one's special situation in relation to others.

Ren 仁 (benevolence, love) & Li 礼 (rites)---respect for the system of social hierarchy.

1.2 Taoism

Lao Zi• Laozi ( 老子 ; pinyin: Lǎozǐ;) was a philosopher of China around 6th century B.C. and is a central figure in Taoism.

• Laozi literally means "Old Master" and is generally considered an honorific.

• Taoism is the Chinese religion which believes in ghosts and spirits. It emphasized cooperation with the natural forces.

Teachings of TaoismWu wei ( 无为 ; pinyin: wúwéi) is a central concept in Taoism. The literal meaning of wu wei is "without action". It is often expressed by the paradox wei wu wei, meaning "action without action" or "effortless doing".

1.3 BuddhismShakyamuni• Buddhism is a religion and

philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Shakyamuni (Gautama), commonly known as the Buddha.

• Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.

Buddhism in China • Buddhism is the most important religion in

China. It is generally believed that it was spread to Central China in 67 AD during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220).

• During its development in China, it has a profound influence on traditional Chinese culture and thoughts, and has become one of the most important religions in China.

Journey to The West

Teachings of the Buddha

Life is filled with suffering.

Suffering is caused by people’s wants.

• Buddhism promotes code of conduct in life. That is what they call Five Precepts( 五种戒律 )of avoiding killing, stealing, indulging, lying and

alcohol drinking. It leads to self-understanding.

King of Monkey

2. Modern business culture & etiquette. Relactionship (Guanxi), Face (Lian)

A. China is becoming a economic powerhouse. B. Commercial activity is not merely the exchange and cooperation

based on economic benefits, it is also the collision and communicating between different cultures that each side has.

C. Every person is grown in a particular culture, learning the “right way” of doing things .

1. Why should we know Chinese culture?

2. The background of Modern business culture and etiquette.

For nearly two thousand years Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism has molded and shaped the civilization of China and exerted a profound influence upon almost one fourth of human race.

2.1 Relationship (Guanxi)• “Guanxi” literally means "relationships“, stands for any type of

relationship. Chinese people care more about the social relationship than commercial relationship in doing the business: “Guanxi” means one will be quick to do a favor, do anything necessary for the other party: "You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours."

• Most important business cannot occur until relationship is sound, written agreement secondary to Guan xi. Guanxi is hard to form, but long lasting.

• The reciprocal nature of “Guanxi" and its implied obligations is the main reason why Chinese are reticent( 含蓄的； 谨慎的 ) to engage in deeper relationships with people they do not know.

2.2 “Face” (Lian or Mianzi)“Lian” can be translate into “face” in English which is one of the most important cultural traits of Chinese people. Giving face (giving due

respect) is a very important concept in China. You must give the appropriate respect according to rank and seniority.

For example in the business negotiation:

The Chinese often avoid the word “No” to save face for both parties. Words such as “bu fangbian” (inconvenient) , “tai kunnan” (too difficult) or “huoxu” (maybe) are synonyms of “No” in Chinese culture.

Affect of Relationship and Face

How to establish relationship?

Courtesy calls for reciprocity [’resɪ’prɒsəti] ( 礼尚往来： lǐshàng wǎng lái ) 　

1. Relationship starts with and builds on the trustworthiness of the individual or the company.

2. Frequent contacts with each other foster understanding and emotional bonds and the Chinese often feel obligated to do business with their friends first.

3. Wine has close connection with social relationship in China . ----also seems today that friendship depends only on the volume of drink being consumed. "If we are good friends, then bottoms up; if not, then just take a sip" is a common phrased exchanged during gatherings. Not good.

Relationship and face are completely legal in Chinese culture and not regarded as bribery.

Cardinal Rules in Negotiation

Business negotiations in China require a much more patient approach. The Chinese culture makes the people suspicious of strangers, the term "we"ll consider it" will be heard frequently.

• Don't say or do anything to embarass the Chinese participants and cause them to lose "face."

• Don't point your finger or any sharp object such as a pen or pencil at anyone.

• Don't lose your temper and raise your voice. • Don’t wear Bright colours.

2.3 Gift GivingGift giving is a big part of any culture. Especially growing up Chinese. Gifts are often used in “Guanxi" to establish, or bring equilibrium to the relationship.

Things to avoid. • Do not give knives, scissors, letter openers, etc. It implies the severing of

a relationship• Do not expect that a gift will be opened immediately • Avoid giving things to people in groups of four, since the number four in

Chinese is a homonym for the word 'death' . • Never give a Chinese gentleman a green hat. It is associated with

adultery.• Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper.

2.3 Dining Etiquette1. If you are the guest, wait to be seated as hierarchy is involved .

2. Eating usually begins once the host offers the first drink.

3. Let older people eat first, or if you hear an elder say "let's eat", you can start to eat.

4. When helping yourself to the dishes, you should take food first from the plates in front of you rather than those in front of others.

5. Do not stick chopsticks vertically into your food, especially not into rice, as this will make Chinese think of funerals.

3. Chinese cuisine

业务流程

• Chinese culinary arts are famous all over the world. Chinese dishes appeal to the senses through sight, smell, taste, texture.

• Chinese cuisine includes a variety of different flavors due to China's vast geography and diverse nationalities. Local dishes with their own distinctiveness can be roughly divided into eight regional cuisines.

4. Chinese arts and crafts

1. Traditional Festival: Spring Festival

2. Chinese Folk Arts: Beijing Opera, Martial Arts

3. Chinese crafts: Painting, Embroidery, China

4. Chinese Architecture

Spring Festival• There are many traditional festivals in China,

such as Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival.

• But Spring Festival, also known as Chinese new year, is the most important in our culture, just as important as Christmas Day in western culture.

Chinese Folk Arts

业务流程

Traditional Festival

Martial Arts(Kung Fu)Beijing Opera

Two special arts

Beijing Opera: Beijing opera is the most influential opera in China and has a history

of around 200 years. It synthesizes the arts of singing, dancing, recitation, martial arts, and instrumental music. Symbolism dominates the motions and stage designs.

There are four main roles in Beijing Opera:

Sheng: is the male role in Beijing Opera. Dan: is all female roles. Jing: is known as hualian, a role with a painted face, who is a man

of special character, features and personality. Chou: is also called xiaohualian. A chou may be a kind-hearted,

humorous and funny fellow ( some time likes buffoon).

画脸谱的颜色The facial make-up follows a standard format. you are not allowed to change the style or look of a character. The colors are classified as primary, secondary, peripheral and complementary. No matter how complicated the make-up may be, there is always one main color used to highlight the role's character.

Red--loyalty and courageYellow--cruelty and savageryGolden yellow--gods and demonsWhite—evil (traitorous minister)

Blue--carelessness and impetuousnessBlack--righteousnessGreen--chivalry

Martial Arts (Kung Fu )

Anyone who has seen classical Chinese Kung Fu movies will be deeply impressed by the Chinese Wushu, which is called Kung Fu or Chinese martial arts in the west.

Do you know Bruce Lee,

Jet Li or Jackie Chan?

Martial Arts (Kung Fu ) Kung Fu is an important and unique component of Chinese cultural

heritage with centuries of cultural history attached. Kung Fu not only includes physical exercise but also Chinese

philosophy, meditation and aesthetics. Kung Fu’s purpose from self-defense to health maintenance and

finally as method of self-cultivation.

Chinese Architecture

业务流程

A Chinese structure is based on the principle of balance and symmetry.

Office buildings, residences, temples, and palaces all follow the principle that the main structure is the axis.

The secondary structures are positioned as two wings on either side to form the main room and yard.

The Forbidden City

Painting, Embroidery, China

paintingembroidery china

Most of the materials are from internet: If you want to know more please refer to the following websites :

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_China#Chinese_culture

2. http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/guanxi.html

3. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/china-country-profile.html

4. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/cuisine.htm

The End