Task 2: Select three objects that symbolize your culture and explain why you selected them.

CHINESE CULTURAL SYMBOLS

As the biggest developing country of the world and the popular travel destination for
numerous foreigners, China has a long history of more than 5000 years, which brings up the
resplendently rich modern civilization. So, China is a great county with its own culture and
civilization. However, according to the history of Chinese immigration to Tanah Melayu, It
was the Great Famine in South China in the early Nineteenth Century which drove many
young Chinese to leave the country to come to Tanah Melayu or Malaya and Nusantara
Melayu or Southeast Asia, in droves, sailing in junks, which were all wind-powered.
Malaysia Today (May 27, 2013) had reported that the Waves of Chinese immigration
was mainly caused by wars and starvation in mainland China, invasion from various foreign
countries, as well as the problems resulting from political corruption. As a result from
Chinese diaspora, Chinese culture was developed and rooted in different country. And if one
were to look at the experiences in other countries, especially the Philippines, Thailand,
Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, one can say that the Chinese immigrants to these
countries had adapted themselves well, without losing their own peculiar identity.
Many aspects of Chinese culture can be traced back many centuries ago. Chinese
culture is so diverse and unique, yet harmoniously blended, and presents itself an invaluable
asset to the world. Nevertheless, the Chinese in Malaysia today especially the younger
generation, do not have much fascination on the history of their ancestors. They prefer
fantasy films produced by Hong Kong or Taiwan studios over the China-produced ones
which deal mostly with their ancient history and recent social and cultural developments
experienced by the new generation of Mainland Chinese.
I am a Malaysian who lived in Malaysia since I was born, though, my forefathers
came from North-West China. Besides being a patriotic citizen, a sense of inheriting Chinese
cultural heritage is also rooted in me. Therefore, I would like to share the objects which can
symbolize the Chinese culture. It can be found that there is plenty of example to represent
Chinese culture like Chinese Lanterns, Chinese Kung fu, Cheongsam, Lion Dance, red
pocket, fried rice, chicken rice, char kway teow and so on.
The first object which I choose to symbolize my Chinese culture is Chinese lantern.
Lanterns play an important and irreplaceable role in Chinese history and symbolize the
brilliant culture of China. According to Bronson (2012), the art of lanterns, as the precious
traditional culture of Chinese, is also inherited and continues till today. The most common
Chinese lanterns are red, oval shape, and decorated with red or golden tassels. The reason
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why I chose Chinese lantern is because it is extensively used in almost 90 per cents of
Chinese house. I am pretty sure that if you pass by the house of your Chinese friends, you
can see there is a pair of blazing red hanging Chinese lantern being hung in front of their
house as an outdoor lighting. A well-lighted front entrance also can increase the value of our
home and enables us to greet guests and identify visitors.

Figure 1 - The Chinese Lanterns

Chinese lanterns were created for practical use in the house and as entrance-way
lighting, they eventually became highly ornamental, and a status symbol. However, the
craftwork of lantern is now widely used in current society which can be seen in some happy
days such as the Lantern Festival, wedding and celebration ceremonies. In addition, lanterns
have some other functions in daily life. For example, at ancient time, when there was no
electricity, lanterns were used as a tool of illumination, which brought great convenience to
everyday life.
Second, red envelopes, best known as angpau in Malaysia, can definitely typify
Chinese culture. According to Chinese beliefs, as soon as one is married, one has sufficient
money and hence can share it (considering the cost of a Chinese Wedding, this might be
true). Hence, red envelopes normally contain money wrapped inside it and to be given to
kids from their parents, grandparents and others as New Year gifts (Annie Wu, 2015).
Simply because I enjoy receiving red envelopes from my parents and relatives, red
envelopes will certainly be my choice as an object to represent Chinese culture.
Chinese people love the colour red, as red is the most auspicious colour and
Chinese often regard red as the symbol of energy, happiness and good luck. So, the action
of sending red envelopes is a channel for conveying good wishes and luck to others during
Chinese New Year. Besides, its symbolic meaning is to wish for good fortune and wealth.

Traditional envelopes most likely will be decorated with lucky, auspicious symbols or good
wishes.
The tradition of giving away red envelopes has to do with the legend of Nian, a
terrible monster which was living in the mountain. Nian would come down at the end of the
year and terrorize people and animals or even kill them. Years later, it was discovered that
the monster was frightened by loud noises, bright lights, and the colour red, hence children
were given red paper to protect themselves should they come into contact with the monster.

Figure 2 - The Red Envelopes

The other objects I considered as an emblem of Chinese culture will be cheongsam.

Cheongsam is one type of traditional Chinese female costumes and enjoys a growing
popularity in the international world of high fashion. The name "cheongsam," meaning simply
"long dress," entered the English vocabulary from the dialect of China's Guangdong
Province (Cantonese). It was created in 1920s Shanghai. The dress is featured by a
standing collar, right side opening, fitting waist and slip bottom, which can fully set off the
beauty of the female shape. As a special traditional garment, cheongsam has unique
aesthetic values and therefore acts as a spokesman of the art of Chinese garment (Darren
Mok, 2013).

Figure 3 - The Cheongsam

As we know, Malaysia comprises three major cultures: Malay, Chinese and Indian.
Each culture has its own traditional and religious articles of clothing all of which are gender
specific. Undoubtedly, cheongsam will be the representative of the Chinese costume. That is
why I chose cheongsam as an object that symbolize Chinese culture. Cheongsams are
made from a variety of materials, though perhaps the most traditional is bright, embroidered
silk. Nowadays, cheongsam is worn during formal occasions like weddings, parties, beauty
pageants, or even Chinese New Year.
In a nutshell, culture is a way of life of a group of people--the behaviors, beliefs,
values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are
passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next. Culture can
give people a connection to certain social values, beliefs, religions and customs. It also
allows us to identify with others of similar mindsets and backgrounds. Besides, preserving
ones own culture allows us to realize that despite being a Malaysian in the present times,
our families once came from diverse roots and heritages. In addition, preserving our own
culture will reinforce our sense of identity and build the self-esteem within us. Thus, it is very
important to keep our culture alive wherever we are!

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OUTLINE

Introduction

The history of Chinese culture.

Chinese immigration to Tanah Melayu due to Great Famine in South China
Chinese whom scattered over the world has rooted their own culture, which is

Chinese culture in their own country.

There are plenty of objects that can symbolize my Chinese culture.

Contents
*First object- Chinese lanterns

Most Chinese lanterns are red, oval shape, and well-designed.

It is widely used to decorate Chinese home.
It is also used in Chinese festivals and celebrations.

*Second object- Red envelopes

It contains money and is to be given to kids or unmarried person during Chinese New

Year.
Sending red envelopes is one of the way to convey good wishes and luck to others.

*Third object- Cheongsam

It is a type of traditional Chinese female costumes.

The dress is featured by stand collar, right side opening, fitting waist and slip bottom.
Usually a cheongsam is worn during formal occasions or festivals.

Conclusion
Culture is a way of life.
Culture connects people and allows us to identify with others of similar mindsets and

3.0

backgrounds.
It is important to preserve our own culture.

MIND MAP

Objects that symbolize

Chinese culture
5

Chinese Lanterns

Red in colour, oval

shape, and welldesigned

Used to decorate
Chinese home

Also used in
Chinese festivals
and celebrations

4.0

Red envelopes

It contains
money

It is to be given to
others during
festivals

Sending red
envelopes is one of
the way to convey
good wishes and luck
to others.

REFERENCES

Task 2

Cheongsam

It is a type of
traditional Chinese
female costumes

Featured by stand
collar, right side
opening, fitting waist
and slip bottom.

Chinese female
usually worn during
formal occasions or
festivals.

Annie Wu. (July 17, 2015). How to Give Red Envelopes/Packets (Hongbao). Retrieved Sep
5,

2015, from http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/red-envelop.htm

Bronson. (September 4, 2012). Wall Lantern Size Matters. Retrieved Sep 5, 2015, from
http://www.bronsondesign.com/blog/wall-lantern-size-matters/
Chinese

Lanterns.

Retrieved

Sep

4,

2015,

from

http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/lanterns.htm
Darren

Mok.

(Jun

20,

2013).

Cheongsam.

Retrieved

Sep

6,

2015,

from

http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/15Traditions77.html
Malaysia Today. (May 27, 2013). History of Chinese Immigration to Tanah Melayu, 12.
Mandy Liew. (February 2015). Celebrating the Chinese New Year. Reader Digest, 18-22.
New Straits Times. (August 13, 2015). Malaysian International Mask Festival, 7.
Red

Envelopes,

Lai

Shi,

Hong

Bao.

Retrieved

Sep

5,

2015,

from

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/red_envelope.htm
The Star. (August 27, 2015). Revelling in Tradition, 15.
Wikipedia.

Chinese

Emigration.

Retrieved

Sep

3,

2015,

from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_emigration#Modern_emigration_.28late_20th_c
entury.E2.80.93present.29.

5.0

APPENDICES

Figure 4 - Red Envelopes, Lai Shi, Hong Bao

Retrived from http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/red_envelope.htm

Figure 7 - An important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar
(Reader Digest, February 2015)

Figure 8 Chinese Lanterns

Retrieved from http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/lanterns.htm

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