Chinese Symbolism

Last Wednesday I attended an event held by the SEA group I am a member of. It was a Chinese Symbolism talk and Champagne lunch. It over viewed how the Chinese use symbols and they are everywhere once you start noticing them. They are in paintings,carvings, architecture, furniture etc. They say you can't really appreciate Asian art and antiques until you understand their significance. They talk about the 3 stellar gods that represent... blessings, wish to have a high position and a good salary and one for longevity. Also the 5 blessings...to be healthy, wealthy, have a long life, die at a old age peacefully and to be virtuous. Some symbols include...fish for fertility, crane,pine tree and turtle for longevity, bat for good luck, dragon for power, white flowers are for mourning, clock represents the end. If you are given an umbrella they don't want to see you again. Tiger to be king, have power and to protect also. Mandarin ducks so you also mate for life. Lotus flower so you may have may than you need. Peony to always act honorably. Plum blossom which blossoms in the winter, stands for arises out of nothing which is to be the spirit of the Chinese.

Another interesting story is the 100 day old celebration that they have for their sons. This tends to be a big celebration where they collect money from 100 people to buy a carved jade lock...to lock in luck for the rest of their life. A 100 day celebration for daughters still doesn't exist.

On the night of marriage family places walnuts and seeds and flowers blossoms on the newly married bed. For fertility and to have sons quickly.

Some other bits of interests...

180,000 babies are expected to be born in Shanghai this year,  the most since 2000.

40% of women in Shanghai would like to have 2 children.

30,000,000 Chinese men will suffer low odds of finding a wife in the next 10 years, as the gender gap between males and females widens to 15 million.

That diapers are pretty rare here...don't really know what they use but most toddlers were pants that have the bottom area completely open...if they have to go they stop were they are and go...that's right it may be right in the middle of a sidewalk with people just walking on by. Parents don't even try to move them to the side. Now that it is getting colder I don't see so many bare butts anymore.

Kleenex must not be very popular here either. Lots of disgusting spitting and nose blowing going on out on the sidewalks. I don't think I'll ever get use to this.

Also been hearing about stories of no one stopping to help others that have fallen or gotten hit by a bike or car for fear of being blamed. Even with kids. If you kill them nothing happens but if they are injured you would be responsible and have to pay. I haven't witnessed this personally but have heard this from a few people. The value of others can be pretty low in such a crowed environment.