Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
why I chose Chinese lantern is because it is extensively used in almost 90 per cents of
Chinese house. I am pretty sure that if you pass by the house of your Chinese friends, you
can see there is a pair of blazing red hanging Chinese lantern being hung in front of their
house as an outdoor lighting. A well-lighted front entrance also can increase the value of our
home and enables us to greet guests and identify visitors.
Chinese lanterns were created for practical use in the house and as entrance-way
lighting, they eventually became highly ornamental, and a status symbol. However, the
craftwork of lantern is now widely used in current society which can be seen in some happy
days such as the Lantern Festival, wedding and celebration ceremonies. In addition, lanterns
have some other functions in daily life. For example, at ancient time, when there was no
electricity, lanterns were used as a tool of illumination, which brought great convenience to
everyday life.
Second, red envelopes, best known as angpau in Malaysia, can definitely typify
Chinese culture. According to Chinese beliefs, as soon as one is married, one has sufficient
money and hence can share it (considering the cost of a Chinese Wedding, this might be
true). Hence, red envelopes normally contain money wrapped inside it and to be given to
kids from their parents, grandparents and others as New Year gifts (Annie Wu, 2015).
Simply because I enjoy receiving red envelopes from my parents and relatives, red
envelopes will certainly be my choice as an object to represent Chinese culture.
Chinese people love the colour red, as red is the most auspicious colour and
Chinese often regard red as the symbol of energy, happiness and good luck. So, the action
of sending red envelopes is a channel for conveying good wishes and luck to others during
Chinese New Year. Besides, its symbolic meaning is to wish for good fortune and wealth.
Traditional envelopes most likely will be decorated with lucky, auspicious symbols or good
wishes.
The tradition of giving away red envelopes has to do with the legend of Nian, a
terrible monster which was living in the mountain. Nian would come down at the end of the
year and terrorize people and animals or even kill them. Years later, it was discovered that
the monster was frightened by loud noises, bright lights, and the colour red, hence children
were given red paper to protect themselves should they come into contact with the monster.
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OUTLINE
Introduction
Contents
*First object- Chinese lanterns
It contains money and is to be given to kids or unmarried person during Chinese New
Year.
Sending red envelopes is one of the way to convey good wishes and luck to others.
Conclusion
Culture is a way of life.
Culture connects people and allows us to identify with others of similar mindsets and
3.0
backgrounds.
It is important to preserve our own culture.
MIND MAP
Chinese Lanterns
Used to decorate
Chinese home
Also used in
Chinese festivals
and celebrations
4.0
Red envelopes
It contains
money
It is to be given to
others during
festivals
Sending red
envelopes is one of
the way to convey
good wishes and luck
to others.
REFERENCES
Task 2
Cheongsam
It is a type of
traditional Chinese
female costumes
Featured by stand
collar, right side
opening, fitting waist
and slip bottom.
Chinese female
usually worn during
formal occasions or
festivals.
Annie Wu. (July 17, 2015). How to Give Red Envelopes/Packets (Hongbao). Retrieved Sep
5,
Bronson. (September 4, 2012). Wall Lantern Size Matters. Retrieved Sep 5, 2015, from
http://www.bronsondesign.com/blog/wall-lantern-size-matters/
Chinese
Lanterns.
Retrieved
Sep
4,
2015,
from
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/lanterns.htm
Darren
Mok.
(Jun
20,
2013).
Cheongsam.
Retrieved
Sep
6,
2015,
from
http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/15Traditions77.html
Malaysia Today. (May 27, 2013). History of Chinese Immigration to Tanah Melayu, 12.
Mandy Liew. (February 2015). Celebrating the Chinese New Year. Reader Digest, 18-22.
New Straits Times. (August 13, 2015). Malaysian International Mask Festival, 7.
Red
Envelopes,
Lai
Shi,
Hong
Bao.
Retrieved
Sep
5,
2015,
from
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/red_envelope.htm
The Star. (August 27, 2015). Revelling in Tradition, 15.
Wikipedia.
Chinese
Emigration.
Retrieved
Sep
3,
2015,
from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_emigration#Modern_emigration_.28late_20th_c
entury.E2.80.93present.29.
5.0
APPENDICES
Figure 7 - An important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar
(Reader Digest, February 2015)
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