Chinese Mandarin - Yonghe Lamasery

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Yonghe Lamasery

( 2008-07-08 )

Situated on the east side of Yonghegong Street in the northeastern corner of the city, the Yonghe Lamasery is the largest and best-known lamasery in Beijing. The principal components are three exquisite memorial archways and five major halls, all of which stand on a north-south axis. The total
area of the compound calculated from the southernmost memorial archway to the lamasery's northernmost point is 66,400 square meters.

The Yonghe Lamasery was originally built by order of Emperor Kangxi in 1694 to serve as a residence for his son and successor to the throne - Yinzhen. The new residence was given the name the Mansion of the Beile Yin. When his title was later officially raised to that of prince, the name of the
residence was changed to "Residence of Prince Yong." Yinzhen lived here till his ascension to the throne in 1723.

When Yinzhen became Emperor Yongzheng after his father's death, a section of the residential grounds was maintained as a temporary palace to be used by the emperor for short visits, while the other half was turned into a place for the recitation of scriptures. Later, the palace section was razed
by fire and in 1725, while that section of the compound occupied by the Lamas was given the name Yonghe (Harmony and Peace) Lamasery.

Besides the splendid main halls in it, the Yonghe Lamasery has a number of auxiliary buildings lining the courtyards on the east and west, many of which display exotic Lamaist sculptures and paintings. The buildings set along the central axis rise progressively from south to north, and a visitor
entering from the southernmost gate looking north will see a series of roof-ridges rising impressively one above the next.

The lamaseries house a treasury of Buddhist art. To mention a few of the most interesting items: examples of the calligraphy of Qing emperors written on scrolls and inscribed on stelae; bronze lions and incense burners; sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddhas; and Tibetan-style murals.

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Pnyin - Cuju -- Ancient Chinese Football

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Cuju -- Ancient Chinese Football

( 2008-07-08 )

Football has found its way to the most remote corners of the globe, becoming one of the hottest topics of the day. About 2,500 years ago in China there was a similar game called "Cuju", which, according to the International Football Association, was the origin of football as a sport.

"Cu" ("to kick") and "ju" (a type of leather ball filled with feathers) became popular during the Warring States Period (476-221BC). Back then, cuju was used to train military cavaliers due to the fierce nature of the sport.

During the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220), the popularity of cuju gradually spread from the army to the royal courts and upper classes. It is said that the Han emperor Wu Di enjoyed the sport. At the same time, cuju games were standardized as rules were established. Football matches were often held
inside the imperial palace. A type of court called "ju" cheng was built especially for cuju matches, with six crescent-shaped goal posts at each end.

The sport was improved during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). First of all, the feather-stuffed ball was replaced by an air-filled ball with a two-layered hull. Also, two different types of goal posts emerged: One was made by setting up posts with a net between them and the other consisted of just one
goal post in the middle of the field.

Cuju flourished during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) due to social and economic development, extending its popularity to every class in society -- from the emperor to ordinary civilians. At that time, professional cuju players were quite popular, and the sport began to take on a commercial edge.
Professional cuju players fell into two groups: One was trained by and performed for the royal court (unearthed copper mirrors and brush pots from the Song often depict professional performances) and the other consisted of civilians who made a living as cuju players.

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Chinese language - Xuande Incense Burner

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Xuande Incense Burner

An incense burner is a vessel in which incense is burned, especially during religious services. The main purpose of incense burners include fumigating clothing, sacrifice and keep a cheerful and tranquil mind during reading because ancient people believed incense was beneficial to study for it can
appease the spirit and inspire the mind.

Xuande is the reigning title of emperor Xuande of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The Xuande incense burner (Xuande Lu), was made during the reign of emperor Xuande of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is a general name for all the bronze burners engraved with the characters “宣德” (Xuande) or for bronze burners that have similar patterns with Xuande incense burner.

To satisfy the craze for incense burners, the emperor Xuande ordered officials to import fine copper from Thailand and made them into incense burners in accordance with the patterns of porcelains from the historical records and the famous five kilns (including Ru Kiln, Guan Kiln, Ge Kiln, Jun Kiln
and Ding Kiln, where those kilns are famous for their porcelain making). To assure the quality of incense burners, the craftsmen forged the copper with dozens of costly metals including gold and silver. After being forged ten times, the incense burners would have smooth surfaces and gorgeous
shines. According to the different forging, Xuande incense burners mainly have five colors: chestnut color, eggplant color, birchleaf pear color, brown and Tibetan paper’s color, among which the incense burner with Tibetan paper’s color is most precious.

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Speak Chinese - Secret Garden Delivers Oriental Flavor

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Secret Garden Delivers Oriental Flavor

Fionnuala Sherry of the Norwegian/Irish duo Secret Garden plays the violin during a concert at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, May 2, 2008.

The Norwegian/Irish duo Secret Garden perform at a concert at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, May 2, 2008.

The Norwegian/Irish duo Secret Garden was back in Beijing for a concert at the Great Hall of the People on Friday.

Rolf Lovland (composer and keyboards) and Fionnuala Sherry (vocals and violin) gave a two-and-half-hour performance, playing many of their hit songs. The crowd sang along to tracks such as "Moongate" and "Lotus" for which the orchestra added a strong oriental flavor that perfectly supplemented the
band's new-age music. Secret Garden also treated fans to "Norturne", the song with which the Norwegian act won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1995.

The band went on to play "Thank you" and "Sometimes a prayer will do" from their new album. Lovland said although the album had so far only been released in Norway, it would soon hit music stores worldwide.

Barring some minor technical issues that caused the guest performers' microphones to go silent, the concert - with its memorable music and distinct gentle melodies - eased the jangled nerves of the enthusiastic audience during China's May Day Holiday.

Secret Garden has played in China five times since 1997. Beijing was the last stop of their most recent tour on the country which began in April.

Secret Garden's lalbums include White Stones (1997), Fairytales (1998), Dawn of a New Century (1999), Dreamcatcher (2001), Once in a Red Moon (2002), and Earthsongs (2005).

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Chinese Mandarin - Dan (female)

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Dan (female)

Princess Tiejing

Tiejing was the princess of the State of Liao and wife of Yang Yanhui, former general of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). When aware of the real identity of her husband that Yang Yanhui was the fourth son of Yang Ye, former general of the Northern Song Dynasty, Princess Tiejing stole the
order arrow (token used to give military order in ancient China) which enabled her husband to pass the border and have a reunion with his family members. When Yanhui's real identity was disclosed and the queen mother of Liao wanted to kill him, the Princess prayed for his innocence and had him
pardoned.

Repertoire:Visiting His Mother

Li Yan, the concubine

Li Yan was the concubine of Emperor Muzong of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Under the circumstances when Emperor Muzong passed away and the crown prince was still too young to govern the state, Li Yan, the concubine, ruled the country behind the curtain. When she learned about her father Li
Liang's conspiracy to seize the throne, she entrusted the senior ministers of the imperial court with state affairs. At last, Li Liang was sent to death.

Repertoire: Entering the Court Twice

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Chinese language - Drum Dance Dragon's Voice

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Drum Dance Dragon's Voice

Presented by the Shanghai Dongfang Youth Dance Troupe, the drum dance, Dragon's Voice, will entertain audiences with traditional Chinese songs and dances from March 26 to 28 at Tianqiao Acrobatic Theater in Beijing.

Over one hundred drums, large or small, are used in the dance to create an overwhelming visual and aural feast. The dance is directed by a famous Chinese director Chen Feihua, and choreographed by a team including Liu Lingli, Ma Lin, He Chuan and Li Nan. Its music is scored by Zhao Guang, a
composer with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The stage art is designed by Zhang Jiwen, a national Class-A stage art designer.

The play highlights dragon culture and the drum culture popular in China.

For millennia, the dragon has been a vital part of Chinese culture, and the people consider themselves "descendants of the dragon." The dragon is a symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom. Traditionally, dragons have been believed to have great powers that allow them to make rain and control floods by
striking rivers with their tails, thus diverting floodwaters. Eventually, dragons became a symbol of the country's seat of power: the imperial throne.

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Chinese Mandarin - Exhibition List

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Exhibition List

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Exhibition list

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