Why Do The Miao Apply The Image of Oxen To Their Silver Jewels?

Living in the remote mountainous areas of southwestern China, the Miao ethnic group like and respect oxen. To them, an ox is a lucky animal. They apply the image of oxen to their embroidery, batik, and silver jewels. In the 12-year animal cycles, the year of ox is considered the most prosperous year.

However in many other parts of China, a tiger year is considered a hopeful year. Why do the Miao prefer oxen? Here is a story:

A long, long time ago an ox and a tiger were neighbors in a mountain. They both had great strength. One day they wanted to have a fight to see who was the strongest. So they prepared themselves for seven days before the fight. Everyday the tiger was busy with wrapping his boy with canes layer upon layer, while the oxen rolled around in mud, and then sunned to have the mud getting dry.

Seven days later, a duel started. Running to the ox, the tiger tried to bite it with his sharp teeth. But how could he break the heavy layers of dried mud on the ox’s body? Finally the tiger had to give up. Then it’s the ox’s turn to make an attack. He used his long horn to break the canes on the tiger’s body in just a few minutes. And the horn almost hurt the tiger. The terrified tiger cried, ” No, no!”

Since then, oxen became an hero in Miao culture. People believe oxen can guard their life, and give them peace and safety. Thy decorate their gates with a small piece of horn-shaped wood. This way they can prevent any evil spirits from entering their home.

Various images of oxen are reflected in the art of batik, embroidery, and silver jewels. Some Miao women wear a huge, heaven, and glistening silver headdress in the shape of an ox horn, which is considered as the symbol of beauty and wealth; others adorn their hair with a big ox horn shaped wooden comb.

The image of oxen is even applied to music. A bullfight dance is popular with the Miao. The dancers follow the exciting music and imitate the movements used in bullfight, with a bamboo-made ox head in their hands.

The Miao even have a special holiday for oxen. On that day, oxen are fed with refined food, and bathed with clean water.

Dragon is always considered an auspicious animal in the Miao culture. People believe a special thing combined dragon with oxen together will surely bring them a prosperous life. So during the Dragon Boat Festival, they decorate their dragon boats with a pair of ox horn.

If you visit a Miao village, the local people will welcome you at the gate of their village with wine contained in a horn-shaped cup. The wine made of glutinous rice tastes a bit sweet. Women with their beautiful ethnic costumes and silver jewels look especially attractive.

C. Liu has been writing about sterling silver jewelry, for years. She occasionally supports the work of select Miao silversmiths. Go to her website to see great examples of fine silver jewelry.

Assembling Your Paper Lantern

Paper lanterns usually come disassembled, so you will need to put them together before using them. Do not worry, for this is really easy to do. That being said, do not rush into assembling them as soon as you get your lantern. You should first read the instructions or a guide like this, as they are fragile.

Paper lanterns are usually globe shaped, so their design is fairly simple to work with. The come flat, and they are flat for so long that they like to revert back to this flat state. To prevent them from doing so, an expander is included, which will go inside your lantern. An expander is almost always provided. You will need to get a cord with a socket on the end on your own, as this is usually not provided; these usually are ten or fifteen feet in length. Measure the distance between the outlet and where you want the lantern to hang before buying a cord.

Extra attention is needed when inserting the expander, because the paper is so easy to rip. Notice the two holes in the lantern: one is bigger than the other. The bigger hole is the top of the lantern, so insert the bottom of the expander into it. The grooves on the expander will come into contact with the edges of the circles in the lantern, so hook the grooves to the circle on the bottom first. Then, pull the lantern up, expanding it, and let the top circle rest on the grooves on the top of the expander.

Now, you will need to run the cord, but plug it in first; this is so you get an accurate picture. If you need to run the cord on the ceiling, use hooks to hang it. As an alternative, you can tape it to the ceiling with a strong tape, but this requires a lot of tape and looks incredibly silly (though, if appearances do not matter, and you do not have hooks, then go for it). You will want to work your way from the outlet to the socket; when you get to the socket, be sure it is hanging straight down. This is absolutely critical; if it is off even a little bit, readjust until it is straight.

Put the light bulb in the socket and screw it in, but unplug the cord from outlet first! Do not get electrocuted. The light bulb should not have a higher wattage than the maximum recommended for your cord. The usual is sixty, but higher wattage cords are available. Be sure you know your max before installing a light bulb. When you have the bulb screwed in, you are ready to attach the lantern. This is an easy step: insert the bulb, and have the lantern rest on the socket. You will be able to figure out how to get it to stay.

This next step is the easiest: turn it on! If it does not come on, it is probably a loose light bulb, or you forgot to plug the lantern in. If it is not those things, then you have an electrical problem or a faulty cord. Now, it is time to enjoy your lantern. It is a cheap, safe, and attractive alternative to traditional lighting fixtures, and it will provide you with beautiful, dim light which you can enjoy in a variety of settings, such as in a romantic dinner or in an Asian-themed room.

Get Easy-To-Use purple clay tea cups In Beijing

Purple clay from the county of Yixing is considered the best natural material for making tea sets in China. I found one shop near the Beijing Hongkun hotel that has a great selection of these teapots at reasonable prices.

Purple clay teapots are not only excellent at absorbing the flavor and enriching the aroma of your tea, but they also keep the original taste of it.

I paid a visit to the Chayuan Tea City, which is located on the south end of the Maliandao Tea Street. Here, I found some elegant purple clay teapots and cups in a shop called Qingyi, which literally means “Affection” in English.

I stopped at the shelves and took in the sight of their amazing tea sets. In the end, a series of Chinese Zodiac animal tea cups caught my eye. Because of my strong curiosity, I asked a lot of questions about the cups, and the kind assistant told me that all of them were designed by the shop keeper, Mr. Xu.

I picked up a tea cup with a lovely image, a delicate small rooster standing on the lid. When I opened the lid of the tea cup, I found that there was a purple clay strainer inside! And there was another miniature rooster standing there.

You can pick it up and put the tea leaves in the bottom of the cup. Because of its tiny holes, water can pass through it and fill up the cup, and there’s no need to worry about drinking any floating tea leaves.

The prices really weren’t bad at all, all of the teacups were less than $20 US dollars, but some of the teapots were more expensive. There were also tons of tea ceremony accessories that you can bring home, like tea pets and tea tools. If you don’t know how to use them, just ask one of the shopkeepers!

One of the shopkeepers said he was once a Beijing tour guide, so he can speak English. So it’s a great idea to come here and learn about the history of Chinese tea and teaware, all while buying some great gifts!

Beijing Sights Close To Your Hotel: The Temple Of Heaven

Beijing has been the center of religious worship since the Ming dynasty emperor Yongle made it China’s capital. Of all the temples built to praise supernatural forces, the Temple of Heaven stands as the most impressive.

Governing the worlds largest population, Chinese emperors needed more than just intimidation and an effective government. They had to show their subjects that they had the legitimacy to rule.

As you enter this tremendous temple, a mysterious world once closed off from the average person is now ready to show all its mystery.

Enter from the southern gate. First you’ll see the Hall of Abstinence on the west side. The hall was where the emperor would prepare himself for the sacred ceremonies. During his stay here, he would stay away from onions, garlic, alcohol, meat, and sexual relations. Because Heaven wouldn’t like an extravagant emperor, the furnishings here were kept as simple as possible.

Standing opposite to this, on the east side, are the Animal Slaughtering Hall and the Divine Kitchen. Cattle, sheep, pigs, and other sacrificial animals were slaughtered and prepared for the ceremonies here. Almost 50 workers would have to work for quite a few days before they could get the job done.

Music was also an important facet of all ceremonies in the Temple of Heaven. In the Hall of Divine Music Administration, imperial orchestras practiced compositions day and night. When rituals were held, they would play all throughout. Sometimes rituals lasts a whole day and into the night!

You are sure to be amazed by the large variety of antique instruments displayed in the hall. A mock performance is staged every two hours, so make sure to stick around and enjoy.

Soon you’ll be standing before the Circular Altar, the most significant structure in the temple. The altar was built to worship Heaven. You can’t miss taking a picture here, for it was believed to be the center of the universe.

During the worshiping ceremonies held on the winter solstice, the emperor would bow down to receive his mandate from Heaven to rule China. A Chinese philosopher once wrote: if the ruler does things right, then the creative energy of the universe will be harmonious, the wind and rain will be on time, auspicious stars will show up, and then, the yellow dragon will descend from Heaven.

Now with the mandate from Heaven, the emperor is able to legitimately rule China.

Lamps And Carpets In Beijing

Take unique and high quality Tibetan carpets back home

In the northeast of Beijing lies an antique market near the Beijing Taiyue Suites Hotel. Yesterday I went there and found a shop carrying Tibetan carpets and classical furniture. Their fantastic carpets can make your home even more lovely.

There are many carpets and tapestries displayed in the shop. I liked their beautiful, exquisite patterns and the natural, fresh colors.

All of the products in this shop are entirely handmade.

Touching a carpet, it’s so soft and warm. If you put one of them in your room, it would be a great decoration for your house!

If you like Tibetan-style furniture, here you can find some of the best pieces in Beijing. A cabinet with some butterfly patterns is very beautiful, the red color painted on it stands for fortune and happiness in China.

To cater to Western customers, they have European-style tapestries for sale too.

Such beautiful handmade lamps!

I visited an Art Market near the Avic Hotel yesterday, and here I recommend a lamp shop named “Ren He Rong Yi”.

They offer different kinds of wood carvings and lamps. I was attracted by the wooden decorations and beautiful paintings on the lamps. Strips of copper, silver and silk were inlaid on the wood, making the lamps both unique and useful.

From my talk with the shop owner, Mr. Xu, I was astonished that he and his wife designed and made all items in the shop. They also have a small factory in Beijing where everything is made. He even showed me his painting skills on the spot!

Besides lamps, they also have many other works of art, like wood carvings, jad cravings, and stone paintings. Everything there is handmade, and they accept custom orders. If you would like a custom-designed carving, don’t miss this chance to order your favorite decorations.

Even thought their products are so exquisite, the price is not very high; you can even pay as little as 400 CNY for one of these traditional Chinese lamps!

The Old Smith Smashed His Purple Clay Teapot And Regained His Peaceful Life

This is a real-life story. A poor ironsmith was unexpectedly offered 25,000 US dollars for his small purple clay teapot! But in the end he made a ‘crazy’ decision. Is he crazy or something? Can we ever understand what he really wanted?

This story is about an old blacksmith who lives in his shop on an old street. As no one needs the iron ware he forged in the old days, he’s turned to selling iron pans, axes, and dog chains. The way he does his business is very old and traditional: He sits behind the door, the goods sitting outside, he neither hawks nor bargains, and he never closes up his shop for the night.

Everyone who passes by his shop sees him waiting on his bamboo chair, a small radio in his hand, and a Yixing purple clay teapot at his side. His income is just enough for his food and tea. He is getting so old that he does not need any extra things, so he is very content with his simple life.

One afternoon, a curio dealer happened to go by the blacksmith’s shop. All of a sudden, he took note of the old-fashioned purple clay teapot sitting by the old smith. It was as jet black, and appeared so elegant and quaint! “Could it be made by Dai Zhengong?” the dealer asked himself with surprise.

Dai Zhenggong was one of the most prominent purple clay potters of the Qing dynasty. The dealer could not help but walk up to the smith, and hold the teapot up. Gazing at it for a minute, he ultimately discovered a small seal print on the pot. It read “Dai Zhengong.” The dealer tried hard to hide his excitement.

And reputedly, only three of Dai’s purple clay teapots were still around: one was in New York, the second in Taiwan, and the third in the hands of a private collector.

The dealer offered 100,000 RMB (about USD $14,700) to buy this pot. The old blacksmith got a big surprise when he heard the amount, but in the end he declined. For the pot was passed down in his family, three generations had brewed tea in this pot.

The pot was not sold, but the old blacksmith could not fall asleep after the dealer left. He had been using the teapot for nearly sixty years, seeing it as an ordinary one all the time. He couldn’t imagine a man actually wanted to buy it for such an extraordinary price! He tried hard to understand why, but he couldn’t get the answer.

Previously, he constantly enjoyed tea without a thought to his pot. But now he sits up to take a look at it now and then. This makes him very uncomfortable. The most unendurable thing to him is that people start pouring in to ask whether or not he has other treasures, and some even want to borrow money from him. And what is more, some push in his door at night. His life is utterly disarranged. He doesn’t know how to deal with this teapot.

The dealer paid a second visit to his shop offering 200,000 RMB, and the old blacksmith could not take it anymore. He called in some people from his neighborhood, and in their presence he broke his pot into pieces.

At present, the old black smith is 102 years old. He is still selling iron pans, axes, and dog chains.

A wise philosophy of life: The old smith seems stupid, but actually he is a man of great wisdom. At least, he knows that having enough is as good as having a feast. All he has been doing is enjoying his life, rather than being burdened with dispensable things.

Tips for choosing purple clay teapots

If you already know that a purple clay teapot is needed to bring you a wonderful tea time, the problem is: how do you choose the best teapot for you? This article will show you some basics, and make you an expert when picking a purple clay teapot.

To choose a good, suitable purple clay teapot, you should pay attention to three aspects: how useful it is, the quality of the workmanship, and the quality of the materials used to make it.

Can it get the job done?

1. Suitable capacity: For a tea service for two to five people, a 350 ml purple clay teapot is suitable. Of course, the more people there are to serve, the larger the pot should be. Purple clay teacups are usually pretty small, as the Chinese think they are fit for sipping tea carefully and gracefully.

2. Proper height: Tall and short, teapots with different heights may be used to brew different kinds of tea. If you often drink green tea, select a shorter pot. That’s because tall pots give the steam and fragrances space to dissipate, so you may miss out on the strong smell of green tea. And if you prefer black tea, you’d better buy a taller pot to get the best brew.

3. Big opening: A purple clay teapot with a bigger opening on the top makes getting rid of old tea leaves a breeze. Taking out soaked and opened leaves from a small-mouthed teapot can be a pain. And removing every leaf is important, so there’s no chance for mold and stains to develop in the pot.

4. Straight pour: Make sure the spout is long enough, straight, and doesn’t have any imperfections or particles stuck inside. When pouring tea, the flow from a good pot will be very even with no spatters of water flying off the sides. When you tip the pot to empty it, all of the liquid should drain out with just one simple motion. And the tea should stop coming out as soon as you want to halt the flow.

Look at workmanship, a good pot is always perfectly handmade

For centuries, purple clay teapots have been famous for their elaborate and exquisite craftsmanship. Almost all of the good purple clay teapots are handmade, and the visible workmanship is a vital yardstick to use when judging whether a purple clay teapot is worth the money or not.

1. Moderate firing: After shaping, a purple clay teapot is sent into a kiln for firing. What degree of firing is appropriate? Only a veteran potter can get it done. However, here’s secret way we can check a pot when shopping: Hit the pot lightly with its cover. There should just be a sweet ringing sound. Also bear in mind: Never knock the pot with the edge of the lid, which is very easy to break.

2. ‘Three Points One Line’: To guarantee a great flow from a purple clay teapot, each potter must carefully place the button, spout, and handle in perfect alignment. When shaping a pot, even a moment of inattention may cause a major defect. So as a shrewd customer, you should pay attention to this rule as well.

3. Airtight lid: The lid should fit tight, preferably airtight, on top of the pot. This is so heat and tea fragrances will stay inside longer. You can test the tightness like this: Fill a pot with water and start to pour it out. When pouring, press the tiny air hole on the lid. If the flow stops immediately without dripping, the lid fits perfectly on the pot.

4. Flawless details: An outstanding potter always attaches great importance to the small features of his pot. So when you pick a purple clay teapot, don’t forget to check out every piece. For example, the interior should be tidy and clean, and the artist’s personal seals should be clearly imprinted underneath the lid and under the base of the pot.

Check the clay itself

The quality of the purple clay used is crucial to the overall value of a purple clay teapot. You can judge whether the material is good or not by observing and touching the surface. Real, superior purple clay shines with a natural gloss. Be aware of pots that are too bright or look like something has been added to enhance the color. When touching the pot, you should feel very tiny particles, much like sand at a beach.

To know about my last two pieces of advice and become an expert on choosing puple clay teapots, just check out my Website!