Victoria's Blog
China
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August 25, 2009
This festival is in mid-summer when the weather is warm and the grass and trees reveal their luxurious greens. At night when the sky is dotted with stars, and people can see the Milky Way spanning from the north to the south. On each bank of it is a bright star, which see each other from afar. They are the Cowherd and Weaver Maid, and about them there is a beautiful love story passed down from generation to generation.
Long, long ago, there was an honest and kind-hearted fellow named Niu Lang (Cowhand). His parents died when he was a child. Later he was driven out of his home by his sister-in-law. So he lived by himself herding cattle and farming. One day, a fairy from heaven Zhi Nu (Weaver Maid) fell in love with him and came down secretly to earth and married him. The cowhand farmed in the field and the Weaver Maid wove at home. They lived a happy life and gave birth to a boy and a girl. Unfortunately, the God of Heaven soon found out the fact and ordered the Queen Mother of the Western Heavens to bring the Weaver Maid back.
With the help of celestial cattle, the Cowhand flew to heaven with his son and daughter. At the time when he was about to catch up with his wife, the Queen Mother took off one of her gold hairpins and made a stroke. One billowy river appeared in front of the Cowhand. The Cowhand and Weaver Maid were separated on the two banks forever and could only feel their tears. Their loyalty to love touched magpies, so tens of thousands of magpies came to build a bridge for the Cowhand and Weaver Maid to meet each other. The Queen Mother was eventually moved and allowed them to meet each year on the 7th of the 7th lunar month. Hence their meeting date has been called "Qi Xi" (Double Seventh).
Scholars have shown the Double Seventh Festival originated from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD220). Historical documents from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD371-420) mention the festival, while records from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) depict the grand evening banquet of Emperor Taizong and his concubines. By the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, special articles for the "Qi Xi" were seen being sold on markets in the capital. The bustling markets demonstrated the significance of the festival.
Today some traditional customs are still observed in rural areas of China, but have been weakened or diluted in urban cities. However, the legend of the Cowhand and Weaver Maid has taken root in the hearts of the people. In recent years, in particular, urban youths have celebrated it as Valentine's Day in China. As a result, owners of flower shops, bars and stores are full of joy as they sell more commodities for love.
December 20, 2008
Today is the winter solstice, a very old festival in China.Peope in the south will eat the rice pyramid shaped dumplings, and people in the north will eat stuffed dumplings.Different tastes with differnent features.But they are both delicious,of course.
I am proud being a Chinese. We have so many wonderful things to share and enjoy.I like my country's cultural traditions.To me, they are lengends and myths which may take my whole life to read and understand.I need to cherish them.Because there is too much knowledge to learn in my country as well as that in others'.
Maybe I need to go abroad to learn more and make asurvive ,but my root is here.I like the people full of wisdoms and creativities here.We are family, a warm family.
As was sang in the Olympic Games,"U and me,from one world.Heart to heart.We are family."
I think every nation has its own excellent culture wealth.And as a chinese,I welcome more and more people to come to understand the people and the culture here,to enrich ourselves and to make our life much colorful and cheerful.
December 27, 2007
This afternoon,I sent a bunch of beautiful roses to a girl.
It's her birthday.I chose some red roses.And when I was on my way back to school,all the girls passing by looked at me .I could guess from their expressions on their faces. They must think one boy had sent them to me.They were admiring me,absolutely.
My god!How could I say?I felt a little angry when someone asked me"Hey,who sent you that?Who's that boy?"I just said "Oh,they're for my friend."
In fact,I really wish that I could be sent some roses.But……
I always say to myself "Wheat,you needn't be worried.Just wait,there must be someone who you really love and he also loves you .That's true love.
Rose&Love belong to everyone.You must believe in it.And it's not far away.Love is easy and life will also be easy.
Don't worry,be happy!