China got its own beliefs after 5000 thousand years accumulate, Chinese own some special beliefs quite different from other country, such as: Fortune-telling and feng shui, lucky numbers.
Fortune-telling
Most Chinese take superstition seriously. The idea of fate started in the feudal society, when it was believed that “the god”-the emperor-decided one’s destiny.
The history of Fortune-telling
With the Tang(618)and Song dynasties, society became more complicated, people were more concerned about fate, and fortune-
telling became popular.
Why Chinese people believe Fortune-telling?
Follow a fortune-teller’s advice can mean shaving your head to appease the fortune god, or wear a red color belt can irrespective of your outfit. Carrying gold images around may bring food fortune, as may removing mirrors from the bedroom, or eating more mutton less beef in the Lunar New Year period.
What does Chinese Fortune-telling believers do?
Fortune-tellers make predictions by reading faces and palms, or doing complicated calculations based on a persons name or the time and the date of birth. The system of 12 animal signs-rat, bull, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, chicken, dog and pig-was created during the Han dynasty.
What is fengshui in china?
Fengshui(wind and water) is a set of traditional spiritual laws or geomancy, used to attract the best luck and prevent bad fortune.
A master of Fengshui
Those people who take feng shui seriously consult a geomancer-amaster of feng shui- to advise on designs of buildings, dates of important decisions, and layout of one’s home and office.
The most important tool in feng shui master’s bag
The most important tool in feng shui master’s bag is compass-leke device, which has eight ancient trigrams representing nature, its elements and eight animals-horse, goat, pheasant, dragon, fowl, swine, dog and ox.
Feng shui in modern time
Modern corporations in China often take feng shui seriously. In Hong Kong’s central District, the angular design of the bank of china tower is said to fling bad feng shui at just about every competing bank. The Hang Kong and Shanghai Bank building is supported on a series of giant pillars, making it possible to walk under neath the building. This satisfies the feng shui principle that the centre of power on this island should be directly accessible from the main point of arrival.
How important Confucianism is for Chinese
The “three teaching” of Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism have traditionally dominated China’s spiritual life. Of the two indigenous systems, Confucianism was more of a philosophy that taught ethical and pragmatic standards of behavior. While Laozi was active in the south of China Kongfuzi, known in the west as Confucius, too, dao and de were central concepts. For more than 2,000years, the idea of Confucius(551-479BC) have profoundly influenced Chinese culture, which in turn colored the worldwide.
Who is Confucius?
Who is Confucius himself came from an impoverished family of the nobility who lived in the state of Lu. For years he tried to gain office with many of the feudal lords, but was repeatedly dismissed. So he travelled around with his disciples and instructed them in his ideas. All in all, Confucius taught mainly traditional literature, rite, and music, and is thus regarded as the founder of scholarly life in China. The Chinese word ru, which as a rule is translate as Confucian, actually means “someone of a gentle nature”- a trait that was attributed to a cultured person. Confucius is not publish his philosophical thinking in a book, but his thought was loyal disciples
What is Confucianism?
Confucianism is, in a sense, a creed of law and order. Just as the universe is dictated by the world order, and the sun, moon and stars move according to the laws of nature, so a person, too, should live This idea, in turn, is based upon the assumption that people can be educated.
What is Ancestor Worship?
The Ancestor worship of the Chinese is based upon the assumption that a person has two souls. One of them is created at the time of conception, and when the person has died, the soul stay in the grove with the corpse and lives on the sacrificial offerings. As the corpse decomposes, the strength of the soul dwindles, until it eventually leads a shadow existence by the Yellow Spring in the under world. The other soul is only emerging at birth. During its heavenly voyage, it is threatened by the evil force, and also is dependent by the evil force.
What can people do for Ancestor Worship?
If the sacrifice cease, then this soul, too, turns into an evil spirit. But if the descendants continue to make sacrificial offering and look into the maintenance of graves, the soul of the deceased ancestor may offer them help and protection.
What is the origin of Ancestor Worship
Originally, ancestor worship was exclusive to the king. Only later did peasants too begin to honor their ancestors. At first, people believed that the soul of the ancestor would search for a human substitute and create an abode foe the soul during the sacrificial ritual. It was usually the grandson of the honored ancestor who took on the role of substitute. At the Qingming festival in April ancestor who took val in April ancestors’ graves are cleaned and “ghost money” burned in their honor.
What is the lucky numbers in China?
In china, the number two stands for easy, three for living or giving birth, six for longevity, eight for prosperity, and nine for perpetuity or eternity.
