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7/24/2019 MPU 3022 CHINESE CULTURAL SYMBOLS
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Task 2: Select three objects that symbolize your culture and explain why you selected them.
CHINESE CULTURAL SYMBOLS
As the biggest developing country of the world and the popular travel destination for
numerous foreigners, China has a long history of more than !!! years, which brings up the
resplendently rich modern civilization. So, China is a great county with its own culture and
civilization. "owever, according to the history of Chinese immigration to #anah $elayu, %t
was the &reat 'amine in South China in the early (ineteenth Century which drove many
young Chinese to leave the country to come to #anah $elayu or $alaya and (usantara
$elayu or Southeast Asia, in droves, sailing in jun)s, which were all wind*powered.
Malaysia Today+$ay -, !/0 had reported that the 1aves of Chinese immigration
was mainly caused by wars and starvation in mainland China, invasion from various foreigncountries, as well as the problems resulting from political corruption. As a result from
Chinese diaspora, Chinese culture was developed and rooted in different country. And if one
were to loo) at the experiences in other countries, especially the 2hilippines, #hailand,
$yanmar, 3ietnam, Cambodia and 4aos, one can say that the Chinese immigrants to these
countries had adapted themselves well, without losing their own peculiar identity.
$any aspects of Chinese culture can be traced bac) many centuries ago. Chinese
culture is so diverse and uni5ue, yet harmoniously blended, and presents itself an invaluable
asset to the world. (evertheless, the Chinese in $alaysia today especially the younger
generation, do not have much fascination on the history of their ancestors. #hey prefer
fantasy films produced by "ong 6ong or #aiwan studios over the China*produced ones
which deal mostly with their ancient history and recent social and cultural developments
experienced by the new generation of $ainland Chinese.
% am a $alaysian who lived in $alaysia since % was born, though, my forefathers
came from (orth*1est China. 7esides being a patriotic citizen, a sense of inheriting Chinese
cultural heritage is also rooted in me. #herefore, % would li)e to share the objects which cansymbolize the Chinese culture. %t can be found that there is plenty of example to represent
Chinese culture li)e Chinese 4anterns, Chinese 6ung fu, Cheongsam, 4ion 8ance, red
poc)et, fried rice, chic)en rice, char )way teowand so on.
#he first object which % choose to symbolize my Chinese culture is Chinese lantern.
4anterns play an important and irreplaceable role in Chinese history and symbolize the
brilliant culture of China. According to 7ronson +!0, the art of lanterns, as the precious
traditional culture of Chinese, is also inherited and continues till today. #he most common
Chinese lanterns are red, oval shape, and decorated with red or golden tassels. #he reason
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_kway_teowhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_kway_teow7/24/2019 MPU 3022 CHINESE CULTURAL SYMBOLS
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why % chose Chinese lantern is because it is extensively used in almost 9! per cents of
Chinese house. % 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.
'igure * #he Chinese 4anterns
Chinese lanterns were created for practical use in the house and as entrance*way
lighting, they eventually became highly ornamental, and a status symbol. "owever, the
craftwor) of lantern is now widely used in current society which can be seen in some happy
days such as the 4antern 'estival, wedding and celebration ceremonies. %n addition, lanterns
have some other functions in daily life. 'or 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 )nown as angpau in $alaysia, 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 1edding, this might be
true0. "ence, red envelopes normally contain money wrapped inside it and to be given to
)ids from their parents, grandparents and others as (ew ear gifts +Annie 1u, !0.
Simply because % 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 luc). So, the action
of sending red envelopes is a channel for conveying good wishes and luc) to others during
Chinese (ew ear. 7esides, its symbolic meaning is to wish for good fortune and wealth.
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#raditional envelopes most li)ely will be decorated with luc)y, auspicious symbols or good
wishes.
#he tradition of giving away red envelopes has to do with the legend of ;(ian
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'igure / * #he Cheongsam
As we )now, $alaysia comprises three major cultures: $alay, Chinese and %ndian.
>ach culture has its own traditional and religious articles of clothing all of which are gender
specific. ndoubtedly, cheongsam will be the representative of the Chinese costume. #hat is
why % chose cheongsam as an object that symbolize Chinese culture. Cheongsams are
made from a variety of materials, though perhaps the most traditional is bright, embroidered
sil). (owadays, cheongsam is worn during formal occasions li)e weddings, parties, beauty
pageants, or even Chinese (ew ear.
%n a nutshell, culture is a way of life of a group of people**the behaviors, beliefs,
values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thin)ing about them, and that are
passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next. Culture can
give people a connection to certain social values, beliefs, religions and customs. %t also
allows us to identify with others of similar mindsets and bac)grounds. 7esides, preserving
one
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2.0 OUTLINE
%ntroduction
#he history of Chinese culture. Chinese immigration to #anah $elayu due to &reat 'amine in South China
Chinese whom scattered over the world has rooted their own culture, which is
Chinese culture in their own country.
#here are plenty of objects that can symbolize my Chinese culture.
Contents
'irst object* Chinese lanterns
$ost Chinese lanterns are red, oval shape, and well*designed. %t is widely used to decorate Chinese home.
%t is also used in Chinese festivals and celebrations.
Second object* =ed envelopes
%t contains money and is to be given to )ids or unmarried person during Chinese (ew
ear.
Sending red envelopes is one of the way to convey good wishes and luc) to others.
#hird object* Cheongsam
%t is a type of traditional Chinese female costumes.
#he dress is featured by stand collar, right side opening, fitting waist and slip bottom.
sually a cheongsam is worn during formal occasions or festivals.
Conclusion Culture is a way of life.
Culture connects peopleand allows us to identify with others of similar mindsets and
bac)grounds.
%t is important to preserve our own culture.
3.0 MIND MAP
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Dbjects that symbolizeChinese culture
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4.0 REFERENCES
Task 2
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CheongsamChinese 4anterns =ed envelopes
%t is a type of
traditional Chinese
female costumes
'eatured by stand
collar, right side
opening, fitting waist
and slip bottom.
%t is to be given to
others during
festivals
sed to decorate
Chinese home
Sending red
envelopes is one ofthe way to convey
good wishes and luc)
to others.
%t contains
money
Also used inChinese festivals
and celebrations
=ed in colour, oval
shape, and well*
designed
Chinese female
usually worn during
formal occasions or
festivals.
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Annie 1u. +Euly -, !0. "ow to &ive =ed >nvelopesF2ac)ets +"ongbao0. =etrieved Sep
, !, from http:FFwww.chinahighlights.comFtravelguideFfestivalsFred*envelop.htm
7ronson. +September G, !0. 1all 4antern Size $atters. =etrieved Sep , !, from
http:FFwww.bronsondesign.comFblogFwall*lantern*size*mattersF
Chinese 4anterns. =etrieved Sep G, !, from
http:FFwww.chinahighlights.comFtravelguideFcultureFlanterns.htm
8arren $o). +Eun !, !/0. Cheongsam. =etrieved Sep H, !, from
http:FFtraditions.cultural*china.comFenF#raditions--.html
Malaysia Today. +$ay -, !/0. "istory of Chinese %mmigration to #anah $elayu, .
$andy 4iew. +'ebruary !0. Celebrating the Chinese (ew ear. Reader Digest, I*.
New Straits Times.+August /, !0. $alaysian %nternational $as) 'estival, -.
=ed >nvelopes, 4ai Shi, "ong 7ao. =etrieved Sep , !, from
http:FFwww.nationsonline.orgFoneworldFChineseJCustomsFredJenvelope.htm
The Star. +August -, !0. =evelling in #radition, .
1i)ipedia. Chinese >migration. =etrieved Sep /, !, from
https:FFen.wi)ipedia.orgFwi)iFChineseJemigrationK$odernJemigrationJ.IlateJ!thJc
entury.>.I!.9/present.9.
7
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_emigration#Modern_emigration_.28late_20th_chttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_emigration#Modern_emigration_.28late_20th_c7/24/2019 MPU 3022 CHINESE CULTURAL SYMBOLS
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5.0 APPENDICES
'igure G * =ed >nvelopes, 4ai Shi, "ong 7ao
=etrived from http:FFwww.nationsonline.orgFoneworldFChineseJCustomsFredJenvelope.htm
8
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'igure - * An important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar
+Reader Digest,'ebruary !)
9
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'igure I L Chinese 4anterns
=etrieved from http:FFwww.chinahighlights.comFtravelguideFcultureFlanterns.htm
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