 |
Chinese Ancient Traditions Revived in Global New Year Shows
Author: Gisela Sommer  | Posted: 21-12-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 254 | Rating: (58)  (?) 
Two years ago some Chinese friends of mine took me to NTDTV’s (New Tang Dynasty TV) live Chinese New Year Spectacular. It was a thrilling and enchanting music and dance performance, with traditional Chinese instruments and costumes faithfully recreated from old manuscripts, paintings and pottery. The dragons, drums and dancers all evoked the grandeur of China’s great dynasties and legends of remote history.
Ancient Chinese traditions speak of harmony between heaven and earth. They say that humans were created by Gods. Culture as well as moral and spiritual guidance were also imparted to humans by divine beings during different times in history. When humans respect the Tao, the “Divine Law or Way” and follow Heaven’s order, society will be prosperous and peaceful.
Like most Westerners I knew next to nothing about the Chinese New Year. So I asked my friends to tell me more and share their favorite New Year’s memories. I learned that Chinese New Year is actually celebrated by almost a quarter of the world’s population in several Asian countries where it is the most important holiday of the year. It follows the Lunar calendar, and the date varies each year, depending on the moon’s cycle.
Several friends shared about fire works and favorite foods–dumplings were often mentioned–and various traditions. One is to write poems or lucky phrases on red paper to be pasted around every family’s door. After breakfast there would be a round of visits. The first stop would be at a local temple to burn incense and honor the gods. Next came visits to relatives and friends. In many towns musicians paraded through streets to announce the arrival of spring.
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year season. It evolved from the ancient belief of celestial spirits flying about in the light of the first full moon. Lanterns of many colors and shapes were lit during the night.
Maquiong, who grew up in a town near the Yangzi River, said, “Some communities would organize a lantern market. Usually, my mom would take us to watch the activities. Later she’d cook another good dinner which included dumplings filled with syrup, which symbolizes harmony in the family and sweetness of life.”
She said that in recent years traditions like these have been changing in China. In big cities fireworks were forbidden, and people have New Year’s dinner at restaurants. Also, many people exchange new year greetings by phone and don’t visit each other so much anymore. “But in my memories,” Maquiong said, “Chinese New Year always means having a good time.”
"Traditional Chinese culture and spiritual traditions were destroyed and outlawed by the Chinese Communist Party,” said Jason, a medical doctor. He said that the CCP smashed almost all the temples and burned the ancient manuscripts. Since coming to power in the late 40s, they have changed history books and brainwashed generations of Chinese with party culture, class struggle and Marxist ideology.
“Young people know nothing about true Chinese history or the deeper values of our ancient traditions,” Jason said. “NTDTV and its annual global Chinese New Year Shows are instrumental in promoting a rebirth of traditional Chinese culture. The performances are magnificent and full of nobility.”
The 2007 NTDTV New Year Spectacular will be touring Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, DC, plus major cities in Canada, Europe and Asia. http://shows.ntdtv.com/
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/chinese-ancient-traditions-revived-in-global-new-year-shows-84975.html
About the Author:Gisela Sommer has a degree in humanistic studies and psychology. She is an independent writer covering cultural events and human rights issues and has an interest in preserving cultural and spiritual traditon.
http://shows.ntdtv.com/
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Britney Spears's Change in Direction
By: fcraig | 19-09-2007
I'm curious about when was the change in direction of Briney Spears. As a teenager, I remember her being sanctimonious, telling magazines about her virginity and mostly trying to keep an innocent image. Today we get to read about her desire to appear on the cover of MAXIM magazine and her ban for an L.A Hotel, and of course, there's no way to forget the endless list of scandals she was involved in. Can you point an event or a specific point in time, where this extreme change had occur?
Music to Message?
By: Hosier-Daddy | 18-09-2007
Can i add music to a message on myspace?
Animal abuse/immoral to have monkey picked tea?
By: hershalooey | 18-09-2007
Do you think that it's animal abuse/immoral use of cheap labor to have people in China training monkeys to collect tea?
SpiralFrog
By: Morine Hall | 18-09-2007
Have you registered for SpiralFrog? Is it worth using? (I tried browsing spiralfrog.com, but it's loading slowly.)
Apple store location?
By: tre1129 | 17-09-2007
does anyone know where there is an apple store or help center outside of the US, say in Israel?
Buckethead
By: CPUSA | 15-09-2007
dose anyone have any credible info about buckethead, the guitarist
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Art and Entertainment Articles
Bootleg Movie Download: Are Bootleg Movie Download Making Everything From Bad to Worse?
By: Anu Kool | 13/10/2008
So you think that maybe one or two (or more) bootleg movie download wouldn't be that bad, right? After all, how can it possibly affect the rest of the world's film industry when it is just one movie, after all? Or is that, one movie download at a time? Unfortunately,...
Divx Full Movies Download - Thinking About DivX Full Movies Download
By: Anu Kool | 13/10/2008
The worldwide web is continually gaining its popularity in today's era. And along with this popularity is the recognition that is being acquired by the movie download activities. As a matter of fact, we can now download movies and other videos online without any cost at all. This is due...
Download Free Movie Trailers - How to Download Free Movie Trailers?
By: Anu Kool | 13/10/2008
Nowadays, almost all information that we need can be found on the worldwide web. Indeed, it acts as if a huge storage of different information readily available and accessible to everyone which is just a click away. Not only that, we can also have the chance to watch all the...
Online Bootleg Movie Downloads - How to Have the Best Online Bootleg Movie Downloads?
By: Anu Kool | 13/10/2008
Worldwide web has been offering a lot of benefits on our part. As a matter of fact, we can already watch our favorite movies by way of it, which is commonly known as the online bootleg movie downloads. This term may sound so absurd and negative but it is just...
Choosing the Best Scissors Or Shears For Sewing
By: Pat Lyne | 13/10/2008
If you're going to do any sewing, you need some scissors. In fact, even if you aren't doing any sewing, every household needs some scissors! They're a useful tool, so it's important to have at least one pair.
Scissors vs. Shears
First off, though people often use the name interchangeably, scissors and...
Understand How to Read Guitar Tabs
By: Jason Wallace | 13/10/2008
There are many different ways to play guitar and all of these different styles and variances are huge and all have an impact on the way you learn. No matter what style you wish to play though, it is important to grasp the basics and this is why beginner guitar...
Angel Wing Tattoos - Different Styles and Meaning
By: Danny K | 12/10/2008
Have you been thinking about what your next tattoo design should be? If you want a mythical design that will amaze all who look upon it, the best choice may be angel wings. These heavenly instruments of flight have a long history over the past millennium of art. Let your...
The Pluses of Playing Video Games
By: Art Gib | 12/10/2008
Although parents need to make sure that video games do not become addicting, there are many skills that these fun and entertaining games can teach a child. For more information, read the following article on the pluses of playing video games.
More from Gisela Sommer
Ntdtv Chinese New Year Spectacular - a Cultural Treasure
By: Gisela Sommer | 21/03/2008 | Art
If you love true ancient Chinese art and philosophy, this show will enchant you. New Tang Dynasty (NTD) TV’s global holiday productions (Holiday Wonders and Chinese New Year Spectacular) are nothing but astonishing. They are a revival not only of ancient Chinese culture, but also convey the essence and spirit of ancient Chinese traditions.
Slaying the Evil Dragon
By: Gisela Sommer | 27/12/2006 | Art and Entertainment
Like the Loch Ness Monster of Scotland, China has its myths and legends of dragons, some helpful and benevolent, and some not so. Of the evil variety, there’s one that’s been slain on stages around the world during the 2006 NTDTV’s Global Chinese New Year Spectaculars. The performance is called "Nine Swords," and it obviously was one of the audiences’ favorites as it receiving roaring applause.
|
|
Art and Entertainment 
