CHINA COSTUMES Chinese clothing is the clothing, ancient and modern, which the Chinese people wore.

Chinese clothing has varied by region and time, and is recorded by the artifacts and arts of Chinese cultureTraditional Chinese clothing is broadly referred to as hanfu with many variations such as traditional Chinese academic dress. Depending on one's status in society, each social class had a different sense of fashion. Most Chinese men wore Chinese black cotton shoes, but wealthy higher class people would wear tough black leather shoes for formal occasions. Very rich and wealthy men would wear very bright, beautiful silk shoes sometimes having leather on the inside. Women would wear bright, silk coated Lotus shoes, with wealthy women practicing bound feet as a status symbol - a practice abolished in the early 20th century. Male shoes were mostly less elaborate than women's. TRADITIONS Living in China, you soon learn that Chinese traditions play an integral role in everyday life for every person. It is at the very core of Chinese culture and revolves around values and how people interact with each other, gives a sense of personal identity and sense of self worth. These traditional values help people solve common human problems for survival and become the roots of tradition that Chinese people find important in their day-to-day lives. Values for one society may seem strange to another society, but nonetheless, they are important to that society. For instance, the painful and debilitating Chinese tradition of foot binding, as bizarre as it may seem to our culture, to the Chinese people, it was the esoteric essence of pure beauty and signified status within the family structure, allowing young women with lotus feet better opportunities for marriage with well-to-do families. Traditional Chinese courtyard life, in existence until the early 1900s, was a unique lifestyle where Chinese families and neighbours lived in very close quarters sharing a common courtyard and everyone knowing everyone elses business. Special rules applied for who occupied which space in certain directions. Read more about it by clicking the link above. Chinese Chopsticks, born of necessity in the earliest times, highly influenced the eating and cooking traditions still followed today in China. Click on the link above to learn more about the history of Chinese chopsticks. Have you ever seen those beautiful tied Chinese knots? Did you know that each different design is a good luck wish? One of the most popular knots is double happiness, which in Chinese tradition is given to newlyweds, signifying a wish for their luck and happiness to double. Xing, Shi and Ming are the most common Chinese family names. There are only 22 ancient Chinese surnames still in use today. The family name indicated a blood tie within the Chinese social structure and was a symbol of class. In ancient China, 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, women were the clan leaders and marriages were only allowed among certain classes. There are many colorful Chinese Festivals happening all year round. There are some major ones that span out over several days or several weeks that are celebrated all across China, and then there are the ones celebrated in different regions of China by the 53 different minority groups. Chinese Festivals offer a unique insight into the rich 5000 year history and traditions of China. If you are living in China, the Chinese people will graciously invite you to be part of their traditional celebrations. Click the link above to check out some interesting celebrations like Qing Ming - graveyard cleaning and picnic time, the Water Splashing Festival in Yunnan, Chinese Valentine's Day, Dragon Boat Festival and more. FESTIVALS The festivals of China are an integral part of its predominantly agricultural society. Most are based on the lunar calendar which means that some dates are not set but vary from year to year as does our Easter. Underlying some of the older festivals are the ancient rites and festivities connected with the farming year. Vast political changes have done little to alter the essential elements of these ceremonies though in the cities some modern adaptations have evolved. Below is a diary of the main celebrations that affect children.

JAPAN COSTUMES The Japanese wear two types of clothing. The two types are yin and yang. These were developed to go along with nature. In modern Japan clothing is typically divided into western clothing ( yfuku?) and Japanese clothing ( wafuku?). While the traditional ethnic garments of Japan are still in use, they are mainly worn for ceremonies and special events, funerals, coming-of-age ceremonies (seijin shiki), and festivals. Western clothing is worn more often in day-to-day life. Men and women favor "western-style" clothing in their daily lives due to the comparative convenience as well as the influx of global fashion. While the westernization of fashions has continued at a rapid pace, the kimono is dying, but it will remain part of the Japanese way of life for many years to come. Both genders can wear kimono. Japanese clothing consisted entirely of a great variety of kimono. They first appeared in the Jomon period, with no distinction between male and female. After Japan opened up for trading with the outside world, other options started to come in. Officers and men of some units of the shogunal army and navy were among the first to adopt western clothing, fashioned after the styles worn by English marines stationed at Yokohama. The style only grew from there, moving out from the military to other lifestyles. Students of public colleges and universities were ordered to wear westernstyle uniforms and businessmen, teachers, doctors, bankers, and other leaders of the new society wore suits to work and at large social functions. Although western-style dress was becoming more popular for the work place, schools, and streets it was not worn by everybody. TRADITIONS The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jmon period, to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe, and North America. The inhabitants of Japan experienced a long period of relative isolation from the outside world during the Tokugawa shogunate, until the arrival of "The Black Ships" and the Meiji period. Japanese is the official and primary language of Japan. Japanese is relatively small but has a lexically distinct pitch-accent system. Early Japanese is known largely on the basis of its state in the 8th century, when the three major works of Old Japanese were compiled. The earliest attestation of the Japanese language is in a Chinese document from 252 AD. Traditions Japanese garden:This corresponds to an eminent part in Japanese architectural plan as it explains so many views of Japanese traditions. The Japanese garden is a feature of Japanese traditions which has not distorted much in the contemporary age. Japanese garden still depicts how the Japanese perceive nature, their divinities, themselves as well as their own precedents. Japanese Traditional 'Landscape Gardens' can be roughly classified into three variants as Chaniwa Gardens or 'Tea gardens', Karesansui Garden or 'Dry Gardens' and Tsukiyama Gardens or 'Hill Gardens'. The huge variety of Japanese Traditional Gardens includes the gardens like Nijo Castle, Ryoanji, Byodoin, Sankeien, Hama Rikyu Park, Ritsurin Koen and Kenrokoen. Japanese Traditional Music: Traditional Japanese Music is widely known as 'Hogaku'.A few forms of 'Hogaku' are Minyo, Sokyoku, Biwagaku, Shamisenongaku, Gagaku, Shakuhachi and Nogaku. Japanese Festivals: The captivating and dazzling traditional festivals of Japan are made more attractive by their processions. This spectrum of festivals includes Sanja Matsuri, Sapporo Snow Festival, Kyoto Gion Matsuri, Takayama Matsuri, Chichibu Festival and Nagasaki Kunchi. Each and every facet of Japanese lifestyle is influenced by the traditions in Japan.Japan traditions thus incorporate a wide array of customs such as the following:

Japanese Traditions Geisha Kimono, Yukuta Japanese Gardens Tea Ceremony Cherry Blossoms Festivals Sumo

Japanese Traditional Music Autumn Leaves Japanese Plum Public Bath Japanese Swords Japanese festivals Japanese Tea Ceremony Hanetsuki

FESTIVALS Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs. Some are so different that they do not even remotely resemble the original festival despite sharing the same name and date. There are also various local festivals (e.g. Tobata Gion) that are mostly unknown outside a given prefecture. It is commonly said that you will always find a festival somewhere in Japan. Unlike most people in East Asia, Japanese people generally do not celebrate Chinese New Year (it having been supplanted by the Western New Year's Day in the late 19th century); although Chinese residents in Japan still do. In Yokohama Chinatown, Japan's biggest Chinatown, tourists from all over Japan come to enjoy the festival. And similarly the Nagasaki Lantern Festival[1] is based in Nagasaki's Chinatown. See: Japanese New Year. INDIA COSTUMES Clothing in India varies from region to region depending on the ethnicity, geography, climate and cultural traditions of the people of that region. Historically, men and women's clothing has evolved from simple Langotas and loincloths to cover the body to elaborate costumes not only used in daily wear but also on festive occasions as well as rituals and dance performances. In urban areas, western clothing is common and uniformly worn by people of all strata. India also has a great diversity in terms of weaves, fibres, colours and material of clothing. Colour codes are followed in clothing based on the religion and ritual concerned. For instance, Hindus lady's wear white clothes to indicate mourning while Parsis and Christians wear white to weddings. TRADITIONS Bathing is an integral part of daily routine in every Indian's life. Special occasions call for holy dips in sacred rivers and lakes as enumerated by the scriptures. That a bath keeps us healthy through personal hygiene is a well known fact. But there are other aspects as well that are not well known. Polygraphic studies proved that water enhances electro-magnetic activity. In the context of this finding, the religious practices like washing hands and feet before entering temples and taking bath every day, worshipping with wet clothes and offering prayer standing in the middle of water chest-deep in rivers and tanks etc., seem to be more scientific than a mere act of cleanliness. Human body is centre of electric currents and impulses. A continuous process of generation and consumption of electric energy takes place in the human body. Maharshi Vaatsyaayana has described the various power centres in human body. More energy is generated in our body whenever we are excited and battle various emotions as well as indulge in intense physical activity. However, at night when we retire until the next morning this generation and consumption level of power drops drastically. This is the reason why we feel so lethargic on waking up in the morning. We are neither active physically non mentally. Washing our face immediately clears the cobwebs of drowsiness. A bath certainly freshens up completely and puts us in our best shape. This happens due to the fact that water consumes the electricity in our body. This is known as Electromagnetic activity. Physics describes this in detail. Therefore, taking bath has more to do with such scientific reasoning than merely cleanliness. The time 90 minutes prior to sunrise is called Braahmi Muhurtham. This time is good for academics, purohits and the time where in the later hours, the night the last 48 mins. (2 ghadi) is called Braahmi Muhurtham. 'Braahmi' means Saraswathi, the Goddess of intellect. The above specified time is auspicious for gaining and sustaining intelligence and knowledge, owing to which it is called Braahmi Muhurtham. It is during Braahmi muhurtham that Sun god spreads his rays just as a peacock spreading its feathers. He starts spreading his light and energy throughout the world. The light rays from the Galaxies influence the human brain. The nascent sun spreads thousand arms in the form of rays across the sky, which emit light-blue divine rays. These rays bring to life the cells and the brain. Lord Surya or the sun god is also the god of life. If the man can synchronise his senses with these rays during this hour he will be empowered with unchallengeable energy. This observation was endorsed by sages. This is the time when the life under the

sun still remains in deep sleep supported by the tranquil and pleasant environment, the sages and munis spread the power of penance, which comes out in the form of high powered electrical and magnetic charge, for the upliftment of the living creatures on the earth. If one keep awake during these hours, it is possible to benefit from this charge. One should apply the sacred religious marks (Tilakam) after performing aachamana(sipping water sanctified and fortified with mantras). The sacred texts enjoin that the forehead must never be left unannointed. It has been a tradition in all Hindu families, irrespective of caste and creed to mark the body with some sacred sign. It is an ancient practice still in use wherein women, men and children of all castes apply such signs according to their traditions to this date. It is decreed imperative in case of women. Any woman who sports a Tilakam on her forehead anywhere in world appears to owe her roots to bharatavarsha, i.e, India. It is our tradition to invite people to any auspicious ritual by applying a "Tilakam", vermilon dot on the forehead. It also signifies pleasantly the subsistence of her beloved husband. Even the most poverty sticken bid their relatives, friends, etc. farewell by applying a Tilakam. The have mores and the have not, all commonly sport Tilakam. The splendour of a Tilakam is compared with that of Goddess Laxmi Devi herself and therefore, Indians paint even the portal of their residence with beautiful bindies lending unparalleled grace to it. Tilakam is not only a beautifying aid for women but also a charm to ward off evil, the elders opine. Beginning with a child in a cradle to a grandma, all women wear a Tilak. Pooja is a part of Indian tradition. However, pooja in the Indian context is not just as simple as reading something from a holy book. All those performing the pooja are involved in the process of worship. This is considered to be a direct way communicating with the god. Indians have a practice of worshipping god in different forms. It is said that there are about 30 million forms of god. It is also believed that there is only one sole supreme. There are different schools of worship. Some advocate worshipping the supreme god without a form or a shape since god is considered to be the cosmic power. Others give a form or a shape to the god. It is reflected in the idols they pray. Worshiping Yantras or the algebric forms of mantras encrypted on a variety of surfaces like metal, wood and stone is also a popular form. However, worshiping idols of different gods are the most followed. FESTIVALS Festivals of India are characterized by color, gaiety, enthusiasm, prayers and rituals. Foreign travelers are struck by the scale and multiplicity of Indian festivals that have evolved in the society. Diwali, the popular festival of Indians, celebrates the return of Lord Rama and Sita from exile. Diwali is also called as the festival of lights. It usually falls between 15th October and 15th November. It is celebrated because on that day hundreds of years ago lord ram returned home to Ayodhya after 14 years of being into exile. It also celebrates the day Mother Goddess destroyed a demon called 'Mahisha' & Victory of Good over evil. The day is celebrated by lighting lamps, diyas, visiting relatives, feasting, and displaying fireworks.

KOREA COSTUMES Hanbok (South Korea) or Chosn-ot (North Korea) is the traditional Korean dress. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok today often refers specifically to hanbok of Chosn Dynasty and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations. The modern hanbok does not exactly follow the actual style as worn in Chosn dynasty since it went through some major changes during the 20th century for practical reasons.[1] Throughout history, Korea had a dual clothing tradition, in which rulers and aristocrats adopted different kinds of mixed foreign-influenced indigenous styles, while the commoners continued to use a distinct style of indigenous clothing that today is known as Hanbok. TRADITIONS Family Life In traditional Korea, the typical family was large with three or four generations usually living together. Because infant mortality was high and a big family was thought of as a blessing, having many children was desired. However, the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the country in the 1960s and 1970s were accompanied by an effective birth control drive, and the average number of children in a family dramatically decreased to two or less in the 1980s. Having a long Confucian tradition under which the eldest son takes over as head of the family, a preference for sons was prevalent in Korea. To tackle the problem of male preference, the government has completely rewritten family-related laws in a way that ensures equality for sons and daughters in terms of inheritance. Industrialization of the country has made life more hectic and complicated. Young married couples have begun to separate from their extended families and start their own homes. Now almost all families are couple-centered nuclear families. Marriage Koreans think marriage is the most important passage in one's life and a divorce is regarded as a disgrace not only for the couple but also for their families even though the divorce rate is growing rapidly these days. Today's typical wedding ceremony is somewhat different from what it was in old times: first a Western-style ceremony is usually held at a wedding hall or a church with the bride wearing a white dress and the groom wearing a tuxedo, then later in the day the bride and groom have a traditional ceremony at a different room in the venue, in colorful traditional costumes. Jerye (Ancestral Memorial Rite) According to a taditional Korean belief, when people die, their spirits do not immediately depart; they stay with descendants for four generations. During this period the deceased are still regarded as family members and Koreans reaffirm the relationship between ancestors and descendants through jerye on the special days like Sollal (Lunar New Year's Day) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day), as well as on the anniversary the ancestors passed away. Koreans also believe that people can live well and happily thanks to benefits their ancestors bestow upon them. Body Language When you beckon to a person, do so with your palm down, and then flutter your hand up and down with your fingers touching together. It is not polite to beckon with your palm up especially using only one finger, because Koreans do that only for dogs. FESTIVALS Korean Traditional Festivals (Hangul: ) are the Korean national and local festivals that have been continued among Korean people throughout its long history. Korean traditional festivals are largely based on its agricultural rituals and myths. "Seollal, New Year's Day" and "Chuseok, Harvest Festival" are regarded as the biggest festivals.

PHILIPPINES COSTUMES
BAHAG Pre-Colonial Period Early Filipinos used bark or plain woven fabric as material for bahag. The bahag was wrapped around the waist line. CAMISA De CHINO 18th Century The camisa de chino is a collarless garment with long cuffless sleeves, worn first by Indios who had to labor under tropical heat. The shirt cut evokes its Chinese origins. BARONG TAGALOG 19th Century The barong tagalong has become the national Filipino costume for men, worn for all significant events. TAPIS Early Spanish Colonial Period The tapis was used first by tagalong women who had to wrap a thicker material over skirts made of sheer fabric. It was usually worn with the opening in front, and with colors that contrasted with the skirt. BARO'T SAYA Circa 17th Century The baro, a collarless blouse, was influenced by the costume of statues by the Blessed Virgin brought by Spanish missionaries. The saya was adapted from the basic lines of European skirt styles during the 1600s. MARIA CLARA Late 19th Century The Maria Clara, named after Jose Rizals heroine in Noli Me Tangere, consists of the bell sleeved camisa, floor-length saya, the panuelo and the tapis, or overskirt. BALINTAWAK 1930s The Balintawak consisted of a skirt, butterfly sleeves and a low-cut bodice. Filipinas wore the ensemble during visits to the countryside, particularly Antipolo, Rizal, a popular summer destination for Manila residents. TERNO Early 20th Century The Filipino terno evolved from the barot saya and the Maria Clara, and pertains to the matching of blouse and skirt, form ing a one-piece creation made of a homogeneous material throughout. TRADITIONS The use of the word "Po" or "Opo" means "Yes" in a very polite manner. It is usually said by a young person to an elder. Kissing the hand of an elder means a sign of respect to the elder. It is also a tradition to hold a family reunion to celebrate a birthday in the family, for Christmas or New Year's Celebration. Once a year, every November 1, the Filipinos honor their "dead" by going to cemeteries. Those who are not able to go may choose to light up candles and pray for the souls of their dead relatives. Most Filipinos believe that eating Pancit on their birthday will enable them to live longer. It seems Filipinos are all related to one another. Our bloodlines certainly intersect somewhere but this so-called family relation is due to two things: 1) Our classification of family members is very simple, and 2) We refer to people that are not related to us as family members as a sign of respect. Let's look into this filipino tradition a little further. My mother has a first cousin. His name is Nelson. My mom and Nelson's mom are sisters. Nelson is my first cousin once removed. I, however, consider Nelson to be my Uncle because he is of the same generation as my mother. Because he is of my mom's generation I call him Tito, or Uncle. Additionally, Filipinos tend to use Lolo/Lola, Tito/Tita, Kuya/Ate as signs of respect for elders. For example, my mom introduced me to her coworker, Tessie. Tessie is clearly younger than mom but also older than me. I would never call Tessie by her first name alone. Instead, I call her Ate Tessie referring to her as an older sister. Clear as mud, right? Lolo = Grandfather, Lola = Grandmother Tito = Uncle, Tita = Aunt Kuya = older brother, Ate = older sister FESTIVALS The fiesta is part and bundle of Filipino culture. Through good times and bad times, the fiesta must go on. Each city and barrio has at least one local festival of its own, usually on the feast of its patron saint, so that there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. But the major and most elaborate festival of all is Christmas, a season celebrated with all the display and show the fun-loving Filipino can handle.