The traditional Chinese way of life, in theory, advocates the

harmony and order among the individual, the family and society. The
best way to accomplish this ideal is to cultivate ones mind, manage a
family well and efficiently govern a country?
In traditional Chinese culture, the family
is the basic unit of society, while
individuals are only one part of the family.
The blood relationship between the
father and son is the most important
element of society. The extended families of
old had "four generations living under one roof". The so-called "four
generations under one roof" meant the cohabitation of the father and
mother, son and daughter-in-law (or daughter and son-in-law),
grandson and granddaughter-in-law, the great-grandson and the greatgranddaughter. While modern families increasingly include only two
generations living together, the tradition and the ideal of four
generations living together still remains.
The idea of tracing back ancestry is still the most powerful centripetal
force of the Chinese nation. A distinguished ancestor will bring pride to
his descendants for thousands of years. The many descendants of
eminent leaders will not sully the name of their ancestors no matter
what the consequences. Thus the harmony and stability of families and
clans are the assurance of peace and the advancement of society.
The culture of the Chinese people, as shown in the conduct of their
daily lives, closely adheres to the precepts of Taoism. Taoism is inclined
to simplicity in all things. People thoughts and feelings conform to each
season as they become one with nature, acting in harmony with
everything on earth, and valuing human relationships. Since one's life
must respect and conform to the seasons, the jieqi (seasonal division
points in the calendar) must be acknowledged. Festivals and jieqi are
particularly important to the Chinese.
Not only in festivals and other special occasions, examples of Chinese
culture may be seen in everyday activities of the Chinese. In playing
the lute or chess, reading or painting, the important thing is not
technique, but rather one's frame of mind when conducting these
activities. The tea ceremony originated in China. It focuses the
attention of participants on clarity of thinking and refinement. Zen
Buddhism has had an extensive following in Chinese history; its
practice influenced the daily habits of a great number of people. Zen

Buddhism may be the best way to exemplify the mysterious quality of

oriental culture.
This is a way of life that pursues harmony with nature and with others,
simplicity, and a feeling of warmth and oneness with all.
Food and Health Care
As thousands of years of development, Chinese cuisine has reached a
state of perfection.

People regard food as their prime want.

For Chinese people, dining is one of the most pleasurable
activities, best exemplifying harmony and order. The convention
followed at the Chinese table is the use of round table. The round table
permits seating by hierarchy. When being seated for a
dinner, elders, and senior and important guests are the first
to be seated. After them are the children, who enjoy special
attention, and sit shoulder-to-shoulder with the elderly.
Established rules of etiquette include the matching of
various dishes and utensils, and the sequence of serving
the dishes. Also, there are less formal activities - playing a
drinkers' wager game, guessing riddles, the "finger
guessing" game and singing songs. All of these have connections with
Chinese culture and art.
A very important part of the Chinese way of life is preserving one's
health. So, many health-giving "medicines" are on the daily menu.
They include not only woodland flowers, grasses and edible wild herbs,
but also the flesh of animals, including fat, bones, blood and internal
organs.
There are also the Chinese martial arts - Kung Fu. The aim of Chinese
martial arts is to strengthen both the body and mind and to extend
friendship. Martial arts are not intended to do harm to others, nor does
the practitioner use his skills to boast, or to betray his friends or his
country. These are the paramount principles that every person who
practices martial arts should uphold.
Woman In Traditional Chinese Society
Traditional Chinese Society is built on patriarchal family system in
which the women were always humiliated, excluded and
udnerestimated. As soon as they were born, they were accepted as the

secondary class in society and they tried to survive behind

the walls of her home silently for centuries.
Young girls were seen as only a temporary family
member as they would be married at a certain age and
given away. The status of the woman within the society
was dependent on her giving birth. To give birth to a male
helped her to be accepted as a respected person in the
family. Once her son is married and she becomes a
mother-in-law, she would have power and higher status in
the family.

Traditional Chinese Society was run by Confucian doctrines. According

to thi doctrine, the beauty of women was considered as a trap for men
as women are defined as unreasonable creatures who are run by their
emotions. The only positive feature they has was being compatible.

Traditional Festivals
Laba Festival
The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month
Preliminary Year (Xiao Nian)
The 23rd day of the last lunar month
Spring Festival(Chun Jie in Chinese
pronunciation)
The first day of the first lunar month
Yuanxiao Festival(Lantern Festival)
The 15th day of the first lunar month
Spring Dragon Festival
The second day of the second lunar month
Pure Brightness Festival(Tomb-Sweeping Day)
The seasonal division point Pure Brightness (Apr. 5th or 6th ) sweep the
tombs/go for a walk in the countryside/plant willows
Dragon Boat Festival
The fifth day of the fifth lunar month