China Books

From the first bang of a New Year’s firecracker to the dreamy, wish-filled moonglow beaming down on the night of the Moon Festival, China’s traditional festivals are rich in all those elements beloved by children - stories that are older than old, foods made delicious by their once-a-year appearance, gifts formalising the interconnectedness of the generations, the sights, colours and smells that during childhood come to symbolise the passage of seasons and the cycle of life. This beautiful book shares the experience of four of China’s major festivals, celebrated by Chinese people throughout the world as well as a traditional welcoming party for a new baby, with readers from 5 to 12. Stories, folklore, customs, and recipes for holiday treats are accompanied by wonderful illustrations of festival activities, painted by some of China’s best folk artists. (ISBN:1881896080) (For this item please quote stock ID 12931) ISBN: 1881896080

Fire and light, dynamic dancers, favourite foods and lucky red parcels all tell you that this book celebrates the Chinese New Year. But how and when did it begin? Why is it so important? How can you join in too? This book, for middle-upper primary, will take you to the festival to find out! (For this item please quote stock ID 15364) ISBN: 9780237528591

It comes as a surprise to many to discover that Hong Kong, outwardly so modern, still celebrates a wide range of traditional Chinese festivals. Because many festivals for gods and ghosts are now forbidden in mainland China, Hong Kong remains one of the few places in the world to watch these fascinating Chinese traditions. There are noisy colourful public festivals integrating into city life and in village environment, there are also quieter festivals based mainly on the home and family, and others associated with religious institutions. A festival-watcher outlines a festival from each month, describes what the community does and explains cultural background stories. First published in 1982, this redesigned edition retains the original lively text with updated information, festival calendar, and some 90 vivid colour photographs. A noted social anthropologist, Barbara Ward was a Fellow of Newnham College, Cambridge and a one-time Reader in Sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Barbara Ward first went to Hong Kong in 1950 and lived here whenever she had the opportunity. At the time of her death in January 1983, she was preparing a book on the Boat People of Hong Kong, among whom she lived for several years. She wrote numerous articles on Chinese social and economic organization, particularly in Hong Kong and was editor of Women in the New Asia (UNESCO 1964). Born in Hong Kong, Joan Law Mee Nar was a graphic designer and freelance photographer. She had spent some two years visiting festivals all over Hong Kong. Joan later married and now lives in Canada with their three children. (For this item please quote stock ID 16064) ISBN: 9789628681662

With 100 colour illustrations by Zhan Tong, this picture book tells about ten traditional festivals, including: the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Head Festival, Clear and Bright Festival, Double Ninth Day, Laba Festival and Kitchen God Day. Through these vivid and interesting stories, readers can get a glimpse of the folk customs of the Chinese people. (For this item please quote stock ID 16143) ISBN: 9787800515224

A selection of 45 significant traditional Chinese festivals such as Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Pure Brightness Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Lesser Bairam, Torch Festival, etc. In addition to festival histories, intriguing tales, grand celebrations, bright and colourful gala dress, typical dishes, and interesting local conditions, the customs of each festival are also introduced. (For this item please quote stock ID 17521) ISBN: 9787536655577

A picture book consisting of over 100 colour illustrations (by Zhan Tong) and bilingual (Chinese-English) text. It tells the stories behind ten traditional festivals, including: the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Head Festival, Clear and Bright Festival, Double Ninth Day, Laba Festival and Kitchen God Day. (For this item please quote stock ID 18166) ISBN: 9787801380036

This study, which has been conducted in the spirit of a symbologically inclined anthropology, explores one of the major manifestations of Chinese popular tradition - the celebration of the New Year in a lunar calendar of very ancient origins. Focus here is on the various New Year customs of central China, the area of the extended lake-land in the mid Yangzi valley. The time is that of the late empire. A multitude of folk practices are analysed within a holistic perspective on Chinese traditional society and the yield is a new picture of a world of the past in which the social rhetorics of gender, lineage continuity and ancestry are challenged by ritual manifestations of iconic symbolism. These symbolic constructs provide contrastive structural alternatives and a counterpoint to accepted social discourse. Through this study of Chinese imagery, the traditional calendar reveals new stories about the social organisation of time as an expression of existential concerns in Chinese social life of the past. 'Why are there two or more new years? Why are ancestors of one kind compatible with the Stove God, whereas others are not, even when they refer to the same men in a male line? Read this fascinating book to find the answers, linking land, rice, cooking and marriage. At the same time, relish the details that Goran Aijmer does not and cannot expound but nevertheless, open-mindedly includes, like driving bird demons away by banging wooden beds and doors' - Stephan Feuchtwang, Professorial Research Fellow, The London School of Economics 'Goran Aijmer's new book on lunar new year festivities in Central China is by far and away the best available source on this topic in any language. Exhaustively researched and written with considerable style, the book will be of use to anthropologists, folklorists, historians, and literary scholars. Of particular interest is Aijmer's attention to ancestor worship and the everyday practices associated with the cult of filial piety. New Year Celebrations also breaks new ground by treating leisure as a legitimate subject of research in Chinese late imperial history' - Rubie S. Watson, Director, Peabody Museum of Anthropology, Harvard University The author, Goran Aijmer, is Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and is currently associated with the Gothenburg Research Institute. His research interests are wide but have mostly concerned matters of symbolic expression and articulation in fields including politics, economics, art and religion. Regionally, research projects have mainly dealt with the southern parts of China (where he did his main periods of fieldwork), but also Melanesia, Southeast Asia and Europe. He has worked in many universities, more recently in the Australian National University, Canberra, the Ecole des hautes mtudes en sciences sociales, Paris, and the University of East Anglia, Norwich. His current interest is in the formation of 'traditions' in China and Europe. (For this item please quote stock ID 20064) ISBN: 9789629960247

~This study, which has been conducted in the spirit of a symbolically inclined anthropology, explores one of the major manifestations of Chinese popular tradition - the celebration of the New Year in a lunar calendar of very ancient origins. Focus here is on the various New Year customs of central China, the area of the extended lake-land in the mid Yangzi valley. The time is that of the late empire. A multitude of folk practices are analysed within a holistic perspective on Chinese traditional society and the yield is a new picture of a world of the past in which the social rhetorics of gender, lineage continuity and ancestry are challenged by ritual manifestations of iconic symbolism. These symbolic constructs provide contrastive structural alternatives and a counterpoint to accepted social discourse. Through this study of Chinese imagery, the traditional calendar reveals new stories about the social organisation of time as an expression of existential concerns in Chinese social life of the past.

~The author, Goran Aijmer, is Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and is currently associated with the Gothenburg Research Institute. His research interests are wide but have mostly concerned matters of symbolic expression and articulation in fields including politics, economics, art and religion. Regionally, research projects have mainly dealt with the southern parts of China (where he did his main periods of fieldwork), but also Melanesia, Southeast Asia and Europe. He has worked in many universities, more recently in the Australian National University, Canberra, the Ecole des hautes mtudes en sciences sociales, Paris, and the University of East Anglia, Norwich. His current interest is in the formation of 'traditions' in China and Europe. (For this item please quote stock ID 22562) ISBN: 9789629961039

Temple fairs held within or near Buddhist or Taoist temples - with activities that include sacrificial rites, entertainment and bazaars - are unique popular events in China. With vivid pictures, this book introduces the history of these fairs, all kinds of activity, markets, and various Temple Fair snacks. Contents: >The Story of Temple Fairs >Temple Fairs in Beijing >Visiting Temple Fairs - Rewarding the Gods & Sharing a Happy Moment >Temple Fair Markets. (For this item please quote stock ID 24080) ISBN: 9787119036427

How did Chinese New Year begin? This book covers its myths and stories, getting ready for the celebration, new years eve, new years day, parades and celebrations, foods, the calendar, etc. Contains glossary, bibliography & selected websites. Suitable for middle primary school ages. (For this item please quote stock ID 24221) ISBN: 9780756504793

Chinese Traditions and Festivals is a collection of easy-to-read stories giving you the background to many of China's ancient customs and traditions. Each story is written in easy-to-understand Chinese, using simple sentences, and will greatly enhance your character recognition. The book is ideal for students who have reached an intermediate level in Chinese (i.e.approximately two years of full-time language study) and want to improve their reading skills. The vocabulary lists assume that you have already completed Chinese Made Easier 1-4 by Martin Symonds & TIAN Haohao published by Shaanxi Normal University Press and can therefore recognize 440 basic characters. You can study this book along with Chinese Made Easier 5. (For this item please quote stock ID 27177) ISBN: 9787561324141

First published by New World Press, Beijing, 1982. Sam Ginsbourg was born in Siberia in 1914. His father was a timber merchant who supplied lumber for the Chinese Eastern Railway. His parents brought him to Harbin when he was just three years old. A combination of factors, discrimination by the whites, his education in Vladivostok and his contact with the Chinese Communist Party underground in Shanghai, led Ginsbourg to the liberated areas in Shandong province where he joined the Chinese revolution in 1947. He became a Chinese citizen in 1953 and was a professor at Shandong University. (For this item please quote stock ID 7436) ISBN: 9787119034577

First published by Monthly Review Press, New York, 1956 (For this item please quote stock ID 12764) ISBN: 9787119034720

The rich culinary tradition of China is largely inspired by a calendar year filled with joyous occasions for eating, drinking and making merry. Food, fittingly enough, plays a leading role in everything from festivals to reunions and weddings to anniversaries. Chinese Feasts & Festivals explores this aspect of Chinese culture with a selection of favourite festive recipes and fascinating information about traditional feasts and festivals. (For this item please quote stock ID 26282) ISBN: 9780794603175

The DVD includes five main chinese festival such as Chinese New Year, Moon Festival, Dragon Festival, Bun Festival and Ghost Festival. Click to watch a sample video clip (For this item please quote stock ID 29792)

China has a long history of agriculture, so in the earliest stages its festivals were intimately tied up with farming. Today, the Chinese continue to celebrate these festivals, bringing them even closer to their ancestors, creators of a splendid culture (For this item please quote stock ID 30046) ISBN: 9787119054070

Red is the first colour perceived by man and is one of the oldest nouns. In some languages, the term "red" is synonymous with the word for colourfulness; for instance the Spanish word colorado is used for both meanings. Man's earliest experiences were closely associated with the substances - blood and fire. Hunters in ancient times discovered that when beasts were hit by weapons, blood gushed from their bodies and the ferocious beasts lost their strength. When human beings were wounded, blood oozed from their bodies and they too would feel weak, If someone lost too much blood, they would die. Such experiences convinced people in ancient times that blood denoted life and strength. "Irrespective of generation or gender, the Chinese are particularly fond of red. This feeling will last forever, given that people's love for what is good, beautiful and joyous is something everlasting" (For this item please quote stock ID 30282) ISBN: 9787119045313

(For this item please quote stock ID 31114) ISBN: 9787227040101

(For this item please quote stock ID 31115) ISBN: 9787227037484

(For this item please quote stock ID 31116) ISBN: 9787227038184

A easy introduction to what happens on Chinese New Year Eve and Chinese New Year Day. Suitable for ages 4-7 years. Includes bibliography & selected websites. (For this item please quote stock ID 24220) ISBN: 9780736848947

(For this item please quote stock ID 31113) ISBN: 9787227038603

Exploring Traditional Chinese Festivals in China traces the history and development of various festivals celebrated in China. Many of these festivals have evolved into modern variations practiced in parts of China today. Some of these festivals have developed into popular celebrations that are not only practiced in China, but also in many Chinese communities throughout the world. Drawing from archaeology, historical records, classical literature, and folklore, this book explores the development of some of these festivals in primitive to civilised societies, and the beliefs underlying the customs and taboos revolving around the preparation and celebration of festivals in China. This book presents readers with insights into the romantic charm of China?s culture and encourages people of Chinese origin to cherish their invaluable cultural heritage. Table of Contents: >Chapter 1: Spring Festival; >Chapter 2: Yuanxiao Festival (Lantern Festival); >Chapter 3: Qingming Festival and Cold Food Day; >Chapter 4: Duanwu Festival; >Chapter 5: Double-Seventh Festival; >Chapter 6: Mid-Autumn Festival; >Chapter 7: Chongyang Festival; >Chapter 8: Laba Festival and the Winter Solstice; >Appendix; >Postscript. (For this item please quote stock ID 29978) ISBN: 9780071274111

Spring Festival is the mose ceremonious and joyous festival in China. It is commonly called "Guo Nian" in Chinese (celebrating the New Year). It generally refers to the New Year's Eve and the first day of the New Year, during which the Han nationality and quite a few other nationalities hold various kinds of activities to celebrate it. These activities include sacrifices to gods and ancestors so as to ring out the old year and ring in the New YEar and pray for harvests, all these celebrations are typical of Chinese cultures, exhibiting a great variety of colourfull customs and traditions (For this item please quote stock ID 31165) ISBN: 9787885261214

(For this item please quote stock ID 31907) ISBN: 9787885261481

Lantern Festival falls on the fifteenth of the first lunar month. Traditional practice follows like this, on that night; people will light up thousands of color lanterns, appreciate full moon, let off fireworks, and guess lantern riddles to celebrate it joyously. Meanwhile, all the family members would get together and share the delicious Tang-yuan?sweet dumplings Other activities on that day include traditional folk performances such as dragon lantern dance, lion dance, and stilt-walking, land boat dance, yangko and peaceful drum beating.

(For this item please quote stock ID 31908) ISBN: 9787885261474

Double Ninth Festival occurs on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. There are abundant and romantic activities to celebrate this festival, which include going out for sightseeing, ascending monmtains to enjoy a distant view, appreciating chrysanthemum, wearing cornel, having double ninth cake and drink wine soaked in chrysanthemum. Today's Double Ninth Festival has been endowed with new connotations. In 1989, September 9th was stipulated as Old Men Festival. It was a result of infusing the modern element into the traditional culture, rendering it a day to respect, love and help the senior citizens.

(For this item please quote stock ID 31911) ISBN: 9787885260156

In the long development of history, the differences in geographic and natural environments together with the dissimilarity in history and social customs have formed their own traditional festivals with distinctive features of the ethnical minority. China boasts a long history and a great many nationalities, therefore, there are varied and colorful traditional ethnical festivals, which not only display the abundant national cultures, but also reveal their close links with people's life and production.

(For this item please quote stock ID 31912) ISBN: 9787885260330

For centuries the Chinese have marked birth, death and marriage with festivals. The famous Chinese Lunar New Year is only one of the many holidays the Chinese have celebrated for centuries. Other festivals include the Dragon Boat Festival that draws crowds together for competitive races, the Mid-Autumn Festival that inspires family gatherings to enjoy the moonlight, and the Rites of Matrimony celebration that marks a time of great expectations, family closeness, and new beginnings. Mooncakes & Hungry Ghosts explores the food, costumes, customs, religious significance, song-and-dance performances and symbolism that are important aspects of Chinese festivals. The book is richly illustrated with original line drawings, reproductions of ancient wood-block prints, and photographs. And there are 12 full-colour pages showing the pageantry of Chinese celebrations. Written in an informal, accessible style, Mooncakes & Hungry Ghosts includes poems and literary excerpts from both ancient and modern Chinese writers and is a must for library collections and anyone interested in myth, ritual and celebration. (For this item please quote stock ID 12930) ISBN: 9780835124812

Using the same approach and illustrations as 'Festivals: Chinese New Year', this book tells the story of the celebration, and looks at how it is celebrated around the world. This book uses the same approach and illustrations as 'Festivals: Chinese New Year', but has shorter simplified text. It tells the story of the celebration, and looks at how it is celebrated around the world today. (For this item please quote stock ID 16961) ISBN: 9780750240475

As the Chinese Spring Festival, section I, the Chinese cultural system, she has a special position. Said that special, because she was not the general life of a cultural phenomenon, you can simply replace or change. Chinese New Year, thousands of years of succession and development have formed a strong historical and cultural traditions, she was a heavy load of cultural accumulation, aggregate hundreds of millions of Chinese people an important opportunity emotion. "For richer or for poorer, to return home New Year." Lunar New Year reunion home has become a cultural habit of Chinese people. Chinese New Year is not only to enjoy the long-awaited reunion with the loved ones happy, but more importantly is to seek culture and sense of belonging and spiritual consolation. Chinese New Year Christmas with the West have a similar cultural function, but also rich in human ethics Spring color.

In the New Year's New Year period, the people to the sound of firecrackers, paintings couplets color, Dragon and lion dance and movement, Yingchun hustle and bustle of gongs and drums to greet the Chinese New Year. The Chinese nation is gentle, introverted tradition of the nation, but also to forge ahead, change a new national trend. Lunar New Year As the mark of time, fully embodies the Chinese people's feelings and update the traditional sense. (For this item please quote stock ID 31925) ISBN: 9787544611879

Mid-Autumn Festival arrives on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. As for this festival, there are legends like 'Chang E flying to the moon' and 'Wu Gang hewing Cassia Tree'. When the moon rises high on that night, people would sit round the table where they place moon cakes, oranges and pomeloes as sacrifice.After they worship the moon goddess, they will enjoy the delicious food under the bright moonlight. Now the worship activity has been replaced by massive parade or entertainments in parks. Having moon cakes, igniting lights and watching the tide in Qiantang River are unique customs on the Mid-Autumn day.

(For this item please quote stock ID 31909) ISBN: 9787885260132

Dragon Boat Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, comes on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is deemed by most people that this festival is held to commemorate Qu Yuan-a patriotic loyal minister who committed suicide in the Miluo River. Every year on that day, each household will hang calamus on their gates and doors, drink realgar wine, wear sachets, hold dragon boat race and eat zongzi, a kind of pyramid-shaped glutinous rice wrapped in reeds, among which dragon boat race has no bounds of region and has developed into an international sports event. Up to now, the dragon boat festival is still very common among Chinese people.

(For this item please quote stock ID 31910) ISBN: 9787885261498