ANCIENT CHINESE TRADITIONS
STATION 1
Tradition name: ____Ancestor Veneration______
1. What does the title of this tradition mean?
Honoring deceased relatives
2. According to the Chinese, how many souls does one person have?
10
3. What is “Qing Ming”? What day is it observed?
Tomb Sweeping day observed April 5th
4. What happens on “Qing Ming”? (Give some details)
Sweep the graves free of dirt, place flowers and offerings of food and
wine in front of the tomb
STATION 2
Tradition name: __________Birth Ceremonies___________
1. When a baby is born, markers are placed on the door. If it’s a …
Boy- bow on left side of door
Girl- handkerchief on right side of door
2. What is ginger used for?
To ward off evil spirits
3. When does a child receive their first name? Why?
One month after birth because the child can die.
4. What are the red eggs used for? What do they represent?
Send eggs to relatives and friends to announce the birth. It represents
fertility and luck
STATION 3
Tradition Name: __________Death and Mourning____________
1. What do they place on the door to show a family member
has died?
Place blue paper on door
2. What color is worn for the funerals?
White
3. How long does mourning last?
7 weeks
4. What do they do to show grief?
Walk backwards in front of the coffin
STATION 4
Tradition Name: __________Family Structure____________
1. How many generations make-up a modern
Chinese family?
2
2. What are the different generations?
Grandparents, adult son, wife, unmarried daughter,
Sons kids
3. How many generations make-up a traditional
Chinese family?
3
4. Who has the most authority in the household?
Grandfather
5. Traditionally, do they value boys or girls more? Why?
Boys, because they carry the family name
STATION 5
Tradition Name: ________Filial Piety__________
1. What does this tradition’s name mean?
Respect your elders
2. True or False: This is the most important of all Chinese virtues.
true
3. What are the three levels of this tradition?
1. Honor one’s parents by achievements
2. Do not disgrace one self
3. Support ones parents throughout old age
4. Who are the Chinese expected to treat with honor?
Elderly
STATION 6
Tradition Name: _________Homes_________________
1. What idea does the design of a traditional
Chinese home reflect?
Family as a unit
2. What do you do to enter a Chinese home?
Pass through a gate, step over threshold,
Walk around a screen
3. Why do they have a raised threshold and
wooden screen?
Keep out ghosts and evil spirits
4. True or False: Most home contain rooms without doors.
true
STATION 7
Tradition Name: ____________Names _______________
1. How do Chinese names differ from Western names?
Surnames come first
2. How many different surnames are in the entire country?
593
3. What are girls’ names often based on?
Flowers and beautiful objects
4. What are boys’ names often based on?
Strength and courage
STATION 8
Tradition Name: _________wedding_______________
1. When did most parents stop arranging marriages?
Mid 1900’s
2. What is “xiang qin”?
Formal meeting arranged by parents
3. Where does the couple get married?
Groom’s house
4. What color does the bride traditionally wear for
the wedding?
red