Cultural heritageChina

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BEIJING OPERA

BEIJING OPERA

• 200 years of history • The most popular opera in China

• One of four major cultural treasures

in China

• Combination of literature, art, music,

sing, speech, dance, martial arts

• National and international impact on

other operas

—Sheng � Sheng refers to male roles. These roles can be divided into three categories: Laosheng (��), Xiaosheng (��), Wusheng (��).

—Dan � Dan refers to female roles. These roles can be divided into five categories: Zhengdan (��), Laodan (��), Huadan (�), Wudan (��), Daomadan (���).

—Jing � Jing refers to painted-face roles, famously known as Hualian (�). These roles can be divided into four categories: Zhengjing (��), Fujing (��), Wujing (��), Maojing (��).

—Chou � Chou refers to painted-face roles, famously known as Xiao hualian (��). These roles can be divided into three categories: Wenchou (��), Wuchou (��), Nüchou (��).

—Red Facial Mask for Jing or ChouRepresentative Character: Loyal & Brave

—Blue Facial Mask for Jing or ChouRepresentative Character: Determined & Frank

—Yellow Facial Mask for Jing or ChouRepresentative Character: Fierce & Ferocious

—White Facial Mask for Jing or ChouRepresentative Character: Cunning & Treacherous

CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY

CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY

• 5000 years of history • The art of Chinese writing

• One of four major cultural

treasures in China

• Integration of idea, thinking,

spirit of the creator

• Contribution to preservation of

Chinese civilisation and culture

—By Wang XizhiEastern Jin Dynasty

—By Yan ZhenqingTang Dynasty

—By Huai SuTang Dynasty

—By Mi FuNorthern Song Dynasty

—by Zhao MengfuYuan Dynasty

CHINESE PAINTING

CHINESE PAINTING

• 2000 years of history

• One of four major cultural

treasures in China

• Combination of poetry, painting

and emotions

• Emphasis on the line, ink and

colour

• Artistic expression of philosophy

—by Gu KaizhiEastern Jin Dynasty

Chinese painting can be divided into three categories by content:landscape painting, figure painting, flower and animal painting.

—by Tang YanMing Dynasty

Two main techniques in Chinese painting:• Gong-bi (�), precise and

detailed depiction• Xie-yi (��), freehand style with

loosely termed brush painting

—by Shen ZhouMing Dynasty

—by Zhang ZeduanSong Dynasty

—by Qiu YingMing Dynasty

—by Qiu YingMing Dynasty

—by Huang QuanFive Dynasties

—by Zheng XieQing Dynasty

KUNG FU

KUNG FU

• 4000 years of history

• One of four major cultural

treasures in China

• Combination of martial practice

with martial ethics

• Emphasis on harmony of internal

mind and external body

• International influence

—Bruce Lee A Hong Kong American martial artist, one of the most influential martial artists of all time and a pop culture icon of the 20th century.

—Kung Fu According to legend, Kung Fu originated from the Xia Dynasty over 4,000 years ago. The earliest recording of Kung Fu are found in the Spring and Autumn Annals (5th century BCE).

—Kung Fu The philosophical bases of Kung Fu: Zhuangzi (by Zhuangzi) and Dao De Jing (by Lao zi), Daoist philosophy that provides principles applicable to Kung Fu.

—Kung Fu The Shaolin style of Kung Fu is considered to be one of the earliest Chinese martial arts.Between the 16th and 17th centuries, martial practice became an integral part in Shaolin monastery.

—Kung Fu Hundreds of distinctive styles have been developed in China.Geographical classifications: Northern styles & Southern styles.A well known term regarding Kung Fu is "Southern fists and Northern kicks”, which shows the difference of various styles.

CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

CHINESE ARCHITECTURE

• 4000 years of history

• An art and science of building

• Reflection of Confucianism

• Major influence on Asian

architectural styles

—Cornice �� Upturned eaves especially around the corners, shaped like a bird spreading its wings. It’s often seen in the architectures such as pavilion, palace, temple.

—Dougong ��

An unique system of brackets in Chinese building, wooden square blocks inserted between the top of a column and a crossbeam, without glue or nails.

—Cloud Pillar � A huge stone with dragon and cloud carved in the body and lucky animal standing on the top.It’s often seen in front of the architectures such as palace and tomb.

WELCOME TO CHINA !