The categories of hand fans

Hand Fan is divided into two general categories:

1. flat fan (can not be folded) circular fan, palm-leaf fan, straw fans, feather fan, etc.
2. folding fan (can be freely opened) silk folding fan,paper folding fan, Sandalwood fan, etc.

Circular fan is also called "Court fan" or "Wan Shan." It is a round fan with handle. Before Song dynasty people called fan,which was round fan. Circular fan was invented by Chinese,and introduced to Japan. Circular fan is the early fan,but in China it always booms. In the boudoirs of young ladies, this fan is generally small, in addition to practical value, as well as decorative value. It is the ready-made canvas, a fan is a picture.If the handle is extended, it has more decorative effect, and becomes a fan of emperor’cortege. Most of the ancient silk Court fans were exquisite art. The basic shape of the silk court fan is round, but there are also many other shapes, such as hexagonal, octagonal, melon -shaped melon, banana leaf,and the leaf of phoenix tree, etc., There are many embroidered flowers, birds, fish and insects, landscapes, figures, and buddha on the fans.

Palm-leaf fan is widely used in China.It’s made of leaf of livistona chinensis. Livistona chinensis has upright branches, the leaves are round, look very beautiful. Palm leaves by cutting, drying, baking, knitting, sewing, embroidery,other processes can be made into palm baskets, palm pads, palm packages and palm-leaf fan.According to diverse technics and shapes, we divide palm-leaf fan into heart-shaped fan, glass fan, painted fan,embroidery fan, bamboo sheath fans etc. hundreds of varieties.

Feather fan is knitted with the feathers of peacocks, cranes, eagles, geeses, pheasants and other birds, it has a handle. It can not only introduces cool, decorate, and be used in dance,it is also the ancient Chinese court etiquette displays. Most of feather fan have 3 or 4 goose feathers, the head is pointed,the end is round and the whole shape likes a peach. Some handles are wooden, and some are goose feathers. Feather fan is light, the wind is gentle. The handle of peacock feather fan is ivory, the color is rich and beautiful, it is often used as dancing props. The characters of the feature fan are,feather is thin and flat, the wind is soft light, works is fine, style is beautiful, it is particularly suitable for the elderly, weak patients and pregnant women.

Some straw Fans are knitted into the shapes of pomegranate, peacock’s tail,it stretches on all sides.It’s united with straws, and known as the "series fan." Some straw fans are knitted with meshes,there is a cloth in the middle of fan,to make the mesches stand out by contrast,this fan is called "Zhahua fan." This fan is light, its pattern is stereoscopic.In the past it is bride’s dowry and gift.

Folding fan originated from Japan.In Northern Song dynasty, the folding fan as a tribute were introduced into China, but not yet widely used, to Ming and Qing dynasty became quite prosperous.It is easy to carry, can be opened and closed ,so it were popular among scholars. The handle are made of ivory, tortoiseshell, sandalwood and other precious materials,some skillful craftsmen carve on the handles,they become a valuable works of art.In Song dynasty people began to draw or write poems on the fans.The painting and calligraphy have wide range of topics, diversiform styles, though the fans are small, they can show us birds, fish, landscapes, characters, stories.It’s a special variety in chinese painting art.

Sandalwood fan is made of sandalwood, it’s often used by women, also known as “gentler fan”. Sandalwood, is also known as Zhan Tan, there is white sandalwood and red sandalwood,which have white and purple leathers, wood is very hard. The sandalwood fan has natural scent.People lightly shake the fan, can smell the fragrance in the air. It is saved many years, and still has fragrance.In summer people put it into the suitcase, to make resistant to damage by moths. The art of painting is the focus of sandalwood fans, the subject matters focus on flowers, birds and ladies. It is small and exquisite, gaudiness, refinement and full of decorative interest, endeared to women.

Chinese fan culture

Chinese fan culture has rich cultural deposits,it is a part of chinese national culture, and closely relates to Buddhism and bamboo culture. China has always been known as the kingdom of fans. The main materials of fans is bamboo, wood, paper, ivory, tortoiseshell, jade, bird feather, palm leaves, betel leaves, straw, lepironia articulata.They can be made to a variety of different styles fans, which have refined structures and beautiful shapes. By craftsmen meticulously engraving, carving, burning, drilling or celebrities writing poems the fans have more artistic value.

Chinese fan culture originated in ancient times, Chinese ancestors in the fierce heat of summer have freely picked off leaves or bird feathers, through simple processing, used them on the face or head to shade the sun or induce wind, this is the fan’s source. Fans in China through thousands of years evolution they are developed into hundreds of styles fan’s family.In Qin and Han periods, a semicircular shape "Bian Mian" (the shape likes a single door) also called "Hu fan" was mainstream,with this fan people could conceal face and at the same tim peek ohters. "Bian Mian" was made of thin bamboo strips, from the emperor to civilian population all people use it.　　

Fans originated in China and have over 3,000 years of history. First fan appeared in the Yin dynasty, was made of colorful pheasant hairs, called "Zhang Fan".So there is a "feather" word in the Chinese "fan" word. At that time, fans were not used to take cold, but emperors used to avoid sand and the sun when they went out. After the Western Han Dynasty, fans began to be used to get cold.In Three Kingdoms, Zhuge Liang rocked goose feather fan, thinking out good ideas and strategizing. In Eastern Han Dynasty, the most materials of fans were changed,the silk, thin silk and damask silk took the place of bird feathers, it’s easy to embroider and draw on the silk fabrics. The moon-shaped fan is known as the "Wan Shan" or " Court fan", also known as "He Huan fan." At that time fans had different shapes: a long round, sunflower, club, hexagonal; the handles were wood, bamboo, bone; ornaments were fan’s fallings, tassels, jades and fringes.Beautiful landscape and flowers were often embroidered on the fans.The ladies in the boudoirs handing fans, looked quiet,elegant,gracious,and graceful. 　　

The first time painting and writing poems on the fan was in the three countries. Zhang Yan Yuan’s book"Ancient Paintings" records this story.The Book "Jin dynasty-- Wang Xizhi Biography" has a story,Wang Xizhi is a famous calligrapher in Jin Dynasty. At that time, a old woman sold fans,there was nothing on the fans,and the price was 12 wen.The old woman asked Wang Xi Zhi to write on the fans.Wang Xi Zhi wrote only 5 words,the price of fans rose to 100 wen. Now in south of Shaoxing, Zhejiang province there is a "Writing Fan Bridge", according to legend it is the place,where Wang Xizhi wrote the words.

Cucurbit flute-Chinese Hulusi

The cucurbit flute ((also known as Hulusi) is a unique musical instrument of ethnic minorities in Yunnan province. It's mainly in western Yunnan, in the Blang, De'ang and other ethnic minorities are very popular. Dai people are versatile, able to sing and dance. In the festival, when rowing dragon boats or putting ''Gaosheng"(a kind of rocket ,made of bamboo)in the river, or going to market in the square, or in drinking feast in the bamboo house , touching music can often be heard.　
A small gourd as a speaker for the cucurbit flute, three different lengths bamboo tubes abreast insert at the bottom of gourd with sheet copper. The middle longest bamboo tube has seven holes. When playing gourd you blow the small end of the gourd and press these holes, the melody comes out,at the same time, the two bamboo tubes also emit fixed tones, they form summation tone together. The music is soft ,delicate, mellow, rustic, and very expressive, deeply loved by the people of Yunnan, whether in public performance, or the professional performance we can hear its beautiful voice. In recent years,it attract widespread attention at home and abroad.The cucurbit flute is played with some modern electronic musical instruments,then can show people the perfect combination of two instruments, present a kind of classic and modern new combination,bring people wonderful experience.
The cucurbit flute has a long history, its origins can be traced back to pre-Qin period, it was transformed from the gourd Sheng. Its structure is still maintained the ancient structure ,the flute tubes number is the same with the three of flute,the two Vice-tubes sound hole also as the same as the ancient flute. But it has 7 opened sound holes, it's similar to the later Xiao , they show it is a big leap in the history.　

There is a folklore in the Dai nationality: Long ago,the mountain torrents broke out, a young man of Dai nationality picked up a large gourd to put it in the river, broke through the stormy river and rescued his sweetheart, his faithful love moved the Buddha, the Buddha fitted the gourd with tubes, the young man blowed a wonderful music, and calmed the mountain torrents, he saved all people and restored his hometown. From then on cucurbit flute was passed down from generation to generation in the Dai people

Tiger-head shoes

Tiger-head shoes are kind of children's shoes.Because theirs toes like tiger head,so called tiger-head shoes. In the fifties and sixties of last century,the tiger-head shoes were especially popular in China. Tiger is a mascot, the parents embroider tiger head on the surface of shoes with wishes for children. They hope children looking dignified and strong.And they think, the figure of tiger is a protection against evil,which can protect children from different disasters.

In the New Year to parents buy new clothes for children.In the past wearing tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes is children’s most popular costume. Almost every child had to wear tiger-head hat and tiger-head shoes. And then, whether in the countryside or city, the stay-at-home women all could make the tiger-head hats and tiger-head shoes. Before the children’s birth, mother, grandmother have already finished caps and shoes and prepared for children.After 100 days of baby's birth, the female relatives should send child the tiger-head shoes and caps as gifts.Boys must wear in red,that means " he’ll not meet disaster, be an official after grown up." Girls are in green, known as "green lady", and expected in the future to be phoenix.

The tiger-head shoes for the most of the people,who live in the central plains region in China, are very familiar.The children in one to wear year-old in large area still wear these shoes."Tiger Head Shoes" are also called "Cat shoes".
The workmanship of the tiger-head shoes is very complex , only the tiger's head need needlework ,jacquard and many other stitch modes. The basic colors on the surface are red, yellow. The mouth, eyebrows, nose, eyes of the tiger are broad-brush, by this way to represent the tiger is exaggerated. Making this shoe, the cony hairs are also used, which are bound at the edge of the ears and the eyes of the tige, red, yellow, white interlace, outline is clear.When children wearing tiger-head shoes, the cony hairs flutter in the wind, the tiger's head looks lively.

About one year old children begin to wear tiger-head shoes . At this time children were eager to walk, but still need the help from adults. So parents wear their children tiger-head shoes, good for their feet on the ground. What's the most important reason is they think the tiger is the king of beasts, the tiger-head shoes can bring children security and peace, and protect their children from disaster.The soft sole of the shoes make for the health of children.

They bring family fun and happiness. They have not only practical value but also aesthetic value, at he same time they are also mascots.

How to select a good Flute

The Flute is widespread wind instrument, because it is made of natural bamboo, it is also known as "bamboo flute."The flute is blown woodwind with holes and flute membrane,it is a typical Chinese traditional musical instruments.Tradition says that , the bamboo flute has been more than two thousand years of history.The flute is strikingly expressive musical instrument,can be played out with staccato of sound, tremolo, and portamento and different representation of timbre; also express different emotions.It is played whether soothing, peaceful melodies or play short, jumping melodies, man can grasp its unique feature.In addition,with flute man can also imitating the sounds of nature, bring the audience into a wonderful world, that has singing birds and fragrant flowers.
A bamboo flute made from a section of bamboo tube,man dispose of the inside bamboo joins, drill in the body a blow hole, a film hole, six sound holes. Blow Hole is the first hole of the flute, the air thus be blown into the flute,and let the air in he tube oscillate and then sound. The film hole is the second hole, for flute diaphragm.The most of flute diaphragm are made of diaphragm of reed or bamboo, by air vibration on the flute diaphragm, crisp and mellow tones come out.
　　
To select flute, man should consider the quality and type. The quality of the flute depends on not only the flute material, but also the level of production standards. When man chooses flute, should test as follows: 1, The material is solid bamboo (bamboo pattern old),fine bamboo pattern. The tube body is straight, round. Flute's head generally should be a little bigger than the end, but the difference is not too large. The thickness of the flute pipe is moderate. Flute pipe wall is smooth. Body is not damaged by worms, ruptured,the shape is beautiful .These requirements can be identified by sight. 2 Flute pitch inspection. The flute is blown in accordance with the school or fixed audio equipment. The principal tone is confirmed, then according to the connection of tones exactly test the other tones .You can also blow various overtones, it is easy to find if the sound is out of tune or if the sound is clean. Testing overtone is really a good way to tone pitch. 3, Test the volume of flute. In general, it's good,if the volume is large. Large volume of flute has great resonance, and strong vibration. When playing,you can feel your fingers sometimes numb. 4, Test the flute sound. The general requirements of the sound is loose, thick, round, bright, in this regard it depends on not only the quality of the flute, the technique of pasting flute diaphragm, but also the performance skills. 5, Test the sensitivity of the flute. In general,as soon as the flute is blown,sound should quickly come out, the reaction sooner the better. 6, In general, the beginners should use, E or F flute tone. Because it is easier to play the flute pitch , and they are also commonly used to playing. If you would like to select a few pieces of the flute, then in addition to E F flute tones tune , D and a G tone tune are also good choice,they are also commonly used.

The Character of Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac is derived from 11 kinds of animals in the nature, that are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig, and the formed in the legendary dragon
Since the concept of Zodiac has arisen in folk,people think the Zodiac impact person's life greatly. At the same time,they think the Zodiac relate to the character of person.Even if the persons, who have the same Zodiac,theirs personality, destiny will be different as the hours of birth are different.
1. Rat
Chinese Zodiac Character: gentle, honest, simple, intuitive and quickly to judge, capable
Year of birth:
1948、1960、1972、1984、1996、2008、2020












2. Ox
Chinese Zodiac Character: Quiet, honest, simple, not good at camouflage, patient, diligent, struggling, inflexible ,good at thinking and opinionated
Year of birth:
1949、1961、1973、1985、1997、2009、2021











3. Tiger
Chinese Zodiac Character:sense of justice, reasonable ,women have an iron hand in a velvet glove, men are opposite, with the organizational skills and a revolutionary and pioneer spirit, public-spirited.
Year of birth:
1938、1950、1962、1974、1986、1998、2010












4. Rabbit
Chinese Zodiac Character: optimist, happy, do not want to be bound,long for freedom go ahead for the pursuit of ideals, follow the new trend, very sensitive.
Year of birth:
1939、1951 、1963、1975、1987、1999、2011











5. Snake
Chinese Zodiac Character: thorough elaborative faculty, forge ahead dauntlessly after adopting a definite purpose , with high intelligence, aesthetic sense, an artistic genius.
Year of birth:
1941、1953 、1965、1977、1989、2001、2013










6. Horse,
Chinese Zodiac Character: forthright, lively,honest,good at reason, a quick mind, wit, frank, and good oratorical skills, easy to go to extremes, a hothead, willful people.
Year of birth:
1942、1954 、1966、1978、1990、2002、2014











7. Sheep,
Chinese Zodiac Character: soft and steady, emotional,perseverant, appearance soft but heart firm,with strong spirit of resistance, fine of thinking and very excellent defensive instincts.
Year of birth:
1943、1955 、1967、1979、1991、2003、2015











8. Monkey,
Chinese Zodiac Character:humorous, witty, lively, popular, nimble, confident, open, good at imitation,generous character
Year of birth:
1944、1956、1968、1980、1992、2004、2016











9. Rooster,
Chinese Zodiac Character:strong performance, ability to note the details of things, gentle, modest and prudent, strong economic concepts, but love to enjoyment, can not resist temptation of the opposite sex.
Year of birth:
1945、1957、1969、1981、1993、2005、2017











10. Dog,
Chinese Zodiac Character: honest,obey the rules, responsible,respect elders, earnestly work , have self-concept, lack of the ability of accommodation ,strong consciousness.
Year of birth:
1946、1958、1970、1982、1994、2006、2018











11. Pig
Chinese Zodiac Character: like justice and truth, innocent, strict with oneself, lack of resourceful capabilities, strong economic concept, usually quiet, arbitrary.
Year of birth:
1947、1959、1971、1983、1995、2007、2019










12. Dragon
Chinese Zodiac Character: good character, stouthearted, passional, upward mobility,smart, intelligent, but lack of thoughtful patience, often give up halfway, the appearance of indifference, but in fact always considerate of others.
Year of birth:
1940、1952、1964、1976、1988、2000、2012