Transcript First Made in China

CHINA
Fast Facts
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Official Name: People´s Republic of China
Capital: Beijing
Biggest City: Shanghai
First Made in China: Paper, fireworks, kites,
yo-yos, the abacus, playing cards.
Money
• The official currency of China is the yuan. 1
yuan is worth about 15 cents in U.S. dollars. Or
$1.00 is about 7 yuan.
Chinese Calligraphy
(written Chinese)
• Fu - the Chinese word for 'luck‘
• Spring
Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, Happiness
fu lu shou xi
Chinese New Year
• The Lunar New Year, also called the
Spring Festival, is the most important
holiday for the Chinese.
• New Year's Day usually falls on the day
of the second new moon after the winter
solstice (first day of winter).
• The New Year is celebrated with
firecrackers, dragon dances and visits
to friends and family. It lasts for 15
days and ends with the Lantern
Festival.
Year of the Tiger
• The Chinese zodiac is based on a 12-year
cycle with each year represented by an
animal. February 14th, 2010 marks the
start of the Year of the Tiger.
History of
Chinese New
Year
Chinese
Zodiac
The year of the DRAG ON:
1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
If you are a DRAGON:
You are full of life and enthusiasm and a very
popular individual with a reputation for being
"fun-loving." You will make a good artist, priest
or politician.
The year of the RAT:
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
If you are a RAT:
You are imaginative, charming and very
generous to those you love, though you do
have the tendency to be quick-tempered and
overly critical. You will be happy as a writer,
critic or publicist.
The year of the SNAKE:
1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
If you are a SNAKE:
You are wise and charming. You are also
romantic and a deep thinker, but you tend to
procrastinate and be a bit stingy about money.
You will make a good teacher, writer or
psychiatrist.
The year of the OX:
1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985. 1997
If you are an OX:
You are a born leader, and you inspire
confidence in those around you. Be careful
about being too demanding. You are also
methodical and good with your hands. You will
make a good surgeon, general or hairdresser.
The year of the PIG:
1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
If you are a PIG:
You are a good friend because you are
sincere, tolerant and honest, but by expecting
the same from others, you may be terribly
disappointed. You will thrive in the arts as an
entertainer, or you may make a great lawyer.
The year of the HORSE:
1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
If you are a HORSE:
You are an amazingly hard working and very
independent. Although you are intelligent and
friendly, you can sometimes be a bit selfish.
You will find success as an adventurer,
scientist or poet.
The year of the TIGER:
1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
If you are a TIGER:
You are sensitive, emotional and capable of
great love, but you tend to be stubborn about
what you think is right. You will make an
excellent boss, explorer or race care driver.
The year of the DOG:
1922, 1934, 1958, 1970, 1982 and 1994
If you are a DOG:
You are honest and faithful to those you love,
but you tend to worry too much and find fault
with others. You will make an excellent
business person, teacher or secret agent.
The year of the ROOSTER:
1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
If you are a ROOSTER:
You are a hard-worker and definite in your
decisions. You are not afraid to speak your
mind and are, therefore, sometimes boastful.
You will make a good restaurant owner,
publicist or world traveler.
The year of the MONKEY:
1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
If you are a MONKEY:
You are very intelligent, clever and well-liked
by everyone. You will have success in any
field you try.
The year of the SHEEP:
1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
If you are a SHEEP:
You are charming, elegant and artistic, and
you like material comforts, but you also have a
tendency to complain about things and worry
a bit too much. You will make a good actor,
gardener or beachcomber.
The year of the RABBIT:
1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
If you are a RABBIT:
You are affectionate, cooperative and always
pleasant, and people like to be around you.
You can, however, get too sentimental and
seem superficial. You will make a successful
business person, lawyer, diplomat or actor.
Superstitions
Customs
• The entire house should be cleaned before
New Year's Day. Sweeping or dusting should
not be done on New Year's Day for fear that
good fortune will be swept away.
• Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve
is the Chinese way of sending out the old
year and welcoming in the New Year. On the
stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every
door in the house, and even windows, have
to be open to allow the old year to go out.
• Red clothing is preferred on New Year’s Day.
Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure
to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future.
Ancient China
Today, we know that magical dragons exist only in imagination and myth. They
are mythical creatures.
But in ancient China, the people firmly believed that dragons were real
and powerful. The dragon was the sign of the emperors.
Over time, “The Dragon” became a nickname for
China.
Ancient China
In ancient China, dragons were thought to be wise, caring, and a bit
mischievous.
They did not breathe fire. They had personalities. They had magical powers.
They could appear and disappear
whenever they wanted.
They could turn into beasts if they were angry.
Ancient China
In ancient China, dragons were thought to be wise, caring, and a bit
mischievous.
They did not breathe fire. They had personalities. They had magical powers.
They could appear and disappear
whenever they wanted.
They could turn into beasts if they were angry.
Ancient China
Dragons in ancient China
were a composite (a mix)
of parts from different
animals.
Ancient China
These mythical creatures had
a camel head,
a snake neck,
fish scales,
eagle claws,
tiger paws,
ox ears,
deer horns,
and whiskers.
Ancient China
Their job in ancient
China was to act as
guardians.