The Complicated Practice Of Birthing In China

In varied countries all over the world, the birth of a child is a happening that brings the entire family together in happiness. In Asia, commonly in China, the birth of the latest addition to the family is indeed joyous yet is masked in superstition that dates back to the ancient civilization.

I am aware that when a child is born, we hurriedly congratulate the family and we shower the infant with praises and wishes. Unfortunately for the Chinese, that would be considered as disgracious and downright impolite! If Chinese superstition is to be believed, newborn babies are vulnerable to attacks of evil ghosts and goblins, thus the kid should be referred to in the vilest and most unfavorable words for his or her protection. I can imagine a satisfied dad telling his parents that his wife "just gave birth to the ugliest baby you would ever see in a hundred years," or hear a well-meaning aunt call your boy "monkey face" while smiling sweetly. The poor boy was just born and he has already received enough scorn to rival those he would get in middle school!

Understandably that is their folklore, and who are we to go against their cultural beliefs, but I am sure that when the time comes for me to have a boy, I'm making sure that it doesn't happen in China. Unless I can call the caretakers and surgeons "fungus face" or "fatty hag" just to even up the score.

The Official Peking Duck Dish From The Jam-packed Streets of China

I have always been curious about the essence of the Peking Duck, a Chinese dish that is noted around the world. When a acquaintance of mine invited me to a vacation in China, I didn't hesitate, and I quickly packed my stuff for an animating food experience in the crowded streets of Beijing. On our first stop, we went into the Quan Ju De restaurant, which is noted for its mouth-watering Peking Duck dishes. My chopsticks were quivering with exuberance as I took my first bite of the exemplary Chinese dish. I was truly not disappointed with the meal because the rich essence of the Peking Duck was complemented by slices of cucumber and soy sauce. A plate of finely cut shallots also proved to be a satisfying side dish, aside from the soft Mandarin Pancakes, which provide an elating way of eating the Peking Duck. This official Chinese dish is customarily eaten by putting a slice of duck meat dipped in soy sauce in between layers of cucumbers, shallots, and mandarin pancakes. I also learned that the key in eating this mouthwatering Chinese meal is to have enough vegetables and soy sauce to achieve that unique essence. To end the quintessential meal, we were served with bowls of Duck Bone Soup, a warm, mouthwatering concoction made by stewing the bones of the Peking Duck.

The Arty Mark on Uncovered Skin

Seems there are a number who have these, male or female, schooling or not, moneyed or penniless. Vivid or not, cartoon figure or Mandarin character, these are tediously and carefully imprinted, avoiding some drops of blood to spill over. You must be prying what the heck I am chattering about. Gee, it is all about the artistic tattoos that drive every young Chinese nuts.

Though the younger generation of China has welcomed the comeback of tattoos, it still seems a dishonor for the older people to have their skin imprinted with devised drawings. Having tattoos, by the way, is ignominy in the earlier Chinese dynasties since the only personalities who had these then were murderers, hooligans, and rapists.

But China's young people are never taken aback; in fact, they perceive it is a form of inventiveness expressed through fashion. It's not that history doesn't matter to them; it's just that having tattoos is a vogue and the total world agrees on it. Young Chinese people even hail the 35 percent of NBA icons who are casually sporting tattoos of varying sizes and styles. Moreover, tattoos, according to Chinese youth, are symbolic of their traits, values, and work that they are very selective of the design, putting more attention on the meaning than on the luxuriousness.

Surely, be it in history or fashion, the magnetism of tattoos has never really left China.