West Learns East

Chinese New Year 2026

2026-02-14T16:34:00.000-05:00

February 17 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

As the new year begins, firecrackers and fireworks are set off in multitude to cast out evil spirits and celebrate a fresh start. On this day (the first of fifteen) dragon and lion dances are performed. Elders are visited by their descendants. Gifts of money are given to younger family members. People try to get as much good luck as possible.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 18) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 23). On the fifteenth day (Mar. 3) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2026 is the year of the horse. More specifically it is the yang fire horse. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2025 was the year of the yin wood snake, and 2027 will be of the yin fire goat. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2025

2025-01-15T14:49:00.004-05:00

January 29 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Jan. 30) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 4). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 12) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2025 is the year of the snake. More specifically it is the yin wood snake. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2024 was the year of the yang wood dragon, and 2026 will be of the yang fire horse. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2024

2024-02-05T14:48:00.000-05:00

February 10 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 11) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 16). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 24) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2024 is the year of the dragon. More specifically it is the yang wood dragon. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2023 was the year of the yin water rabbit, and 2025 will be of the yin wood snake. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2023

2023-01-07T13:36:00.004-05:00

January 22 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Jan. 23) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Jan. 28). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 5) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2023 is the year of the rabbit. More specifically it is the yin water rabbit. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2022 was the year of the yang water tiger, and 2024 will be of the yang wood dragon. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2022

2022-01-26T14:08:00.000-05:00

February 1 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 2) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 7). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 15) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2022 is the year of the tiger. More specifically it is the yang water tiger. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2021 was the year of the yin metal ox, and 2023 will be of the yin water rabbit. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2021

2021-02-03T19:32:00.002-05:00

February 12 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 13) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 18). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 26) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2021 is the year of the ox. More specifically it is the yin metal ox. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2020 was the year of the yang metal rat, and 2022 will be of the yang water tiger. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2020

2020-01-25T05:52:00.000-05:00

January 25 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Jan. 26) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Jan. 31). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 8) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2020 is the year of the rat. More specifically it is the yang metal rat. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2019 was the year of the yin earth pig, and 2021 will be of the yin metal ox. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2019

2019-01-30T21:49:00.000-05:00

February 5 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 6) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 11). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 20) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2019 is the year of the pig. More specifically it is the yin earth pig. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2018 was the year of the yang earth dog, and 2020 will be of the yang metal rat. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2018

2018-02-12T23:19:00.000-05:00

February 16 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 17) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 22). On the fifteenth day (Mar. 2) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2018 is the year of the dog. More specifically it is the yang earth dog. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2017 was the year of the yin fire rooster, and 2019 will be of the yin earth pig. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2017

2017-01-27T20:02:00.001-05:00

January 28 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Jan. 9) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 3). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 11) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2017 is the year of the rooster. More specifically it is the yin fire rooster. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2015 was the year of the yin wood goat, and 2017 will be of the yin fire rooster. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese New Year 2016

2016-02-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

February 8 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 9) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 14). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 22) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2016 is the year of the monkey. More specifically it is the yang fire monkey. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2015 was the year of the yin wood goat, and 2017 will be of the yin fire rooster. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Calligraphy

2016-02-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

In an era when text is created, stored, processed, and distributed through computers it is easy to forget the expressive power and historical significance of the handwritten word. Writing letters to loved ones has been replaced with email and texting. Books are printed by the millions. There was a time when each copy of a book was written by someone with quill and ink. Modern efficiency and convenience facilitate the spread of ideas like never before. This mass production of text can make us overlook the value of writing as a visual art. Calligraphy remains beneficial even as technology makes handwriting less prevalent in our lives.

In some Asian cultures, particularly China and Japan, penmanship carries greater importance than it does in other parts of the world. This is partly due to the structure of a language. Written Chinese, for example, has no alphabet. Every word has its own character, and characters can be quite elaborate. An individual word is an artwork unto itself rather than a string of smaller symbols. To some it may be just black and white scribbles. Under aesthetic consideration, however, the contrast between tonal simplicity and complexity of shape gives vitality to such artwork.

The act of writing a word, of drawing a character, can be a vehicle for pursuing mental tranquility and spiritual strength. Calligraphy, for many, is as much meditation as it is a form of communication. Every stroke of the brush or pen is given complete attention. Every movement carries a sense of purpose. In relation to Zen Buddhism this practice is called Hitsuzendo. Zen calligraphers clear their minds of distracting thoughts and translate that experience into ink-based images. The state of mind while writing a word is of higher importance than the word itself. In this way, calligraphy benefits the practitioner regardless of technology or culture.

Chinese New Year 2015

2015-02-16T16:48:00.000-05:00

February 19 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Gifts are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 20) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 25). On the fifteenth day (Mar. 5) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

2015 is the year of the goat (also called ram or sheep). More specifically it is the yin wood goat. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, and then water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2014 was the year of the yang wood horse, and 2016 will be of the yang fire monkey. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Tai Chi

2014-06-08T05:45:00.000-04:00

Martial arts are often portrayed as mere pugilism. It is easy to regard them purely as methods of violence, but such a view is woefully incomplete. The self-discipline required of serious martial artists can actually make them mature, level-headed, friendly individuals. In fact, many students of one particular fighting system are not even interested in combat. They learn how to punch for the sake of bodily health and mental tranquility. They learn taijiquan, or tai chi.

Taijiquan (tai chi chuan, t'ai ch'i ch'uan) is commonly translated to "supreme ultimate fist." It is a martial art that emphasizes yin-yang philosophy and efficiency of movement. There are several main branches or styles of taijiquan: Chen, Yang, Wu (Hao), Wu, and Sun. Each style is named after its founder and reflects his particular mindset concerning martial arts.

Taijiquan is an internal martial art. As such, practitioners focus on sensations within the body. Moving slowly allows them to carefully study how their muscles and bones work together. They ask themselves questions like "Do I have correct posture? Where do I feel tension or pain? Am I coordinating my whole body in unison?" They also think about yin and yang in the context of fighting. Hard and soft, push and pull, rise and fall, slow and fast, advance and retreat. This inward focus leads to heightened physical awareness and peace of mind.

Taijiquan's slow, meditative method of practice makes it a well-suited exercise for sick and elderly people. These practitioners may not be concerned about combat readiness, but they reap benefits for their health. Taijiquan promotes many things: deep breathing, good blood pressure, increased balance and coordination, a calm and focused mind, and increased blood circulation. Far from being just a fighting system, taijiquan is studied as a tool for longevity and personal growth.

Chinese New Year 2014

2014-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

January 31 starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Presents are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday on the second day (Feb. 1) and the “common man's birthday” on the seventh day (Feb. 6). On the fifteenth day (Feb. 14) the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

As you may have heard, 2014 is the year of the horse. More specifically it is the yang wood horse. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, and then water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These patterns combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2013 was the year of the yin water snake, and 2015 will be of the yin wood goat. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

Chinese Characters 6

2013-11-16T09:09:00.000-05:00

Because of their abstract beauty, Chinese symbols, or characters, are widely used for decoration and tattoos. Posters, framed paintings, shirts, hats, and many more items can be bought that are adorned with Chinese writing (other languages like Japanese are also used). Below are some Chinese symbols with their translations provided. Click the pictures for larger versions.

See also: Page-1 Page-2 Page-3 Page-4 Page-5

January	February	March	April	May
yiyue (一月)	eryue (二月)	sanyue (三月)	siyue (四月)	wuyue (五月)

June	July	August	September	October
liuyue (六月)	qiyue (七月)	bayue (八月)	jiuyue (九月)	shiyue (十月)

November	December	Day	Month	Year
shiyiyue (十一月)	shieryue (十二月)	ri (日)	yue (月)	nian (年)

Martial Arts Motion Capture

2013-10-17T10:04:00.000-04:00

Motion capture is a method of recording body movements in 3D. It is typically used to animate computer-generated characters in movies and video games. In kinesiology and martial arts, motion capture can be an invaluable tool for studying body mechanics. Below are some videos demonstrating this technology.

Happy Lunar New Year!

2013-02-10T17:50:00.000-05:00

Today starts the Chinese New Year which corresponds to the lunisolar calendar. The holiday is also called the Spring Festival and is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. Festivities around this time are driven by a desire for prosperity and good will. For instance, houses are cleaned in hopes of expelling bad luck and making way for good luck. Debts are paid. Grudges are forgotten. Encouraging messages (such as 福 which means good fortune) are hung up everywhere. Presents are given. On New Year's Eve, it is customary for families to reunite and enjoy dinner together.

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday tomorrow and the “common man's birthday” on February 16. On February 24 the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this fifteenth and final day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

As you may have heard, 2013 is the year of the snake. More specifically it is the yin water snake. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, and then water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These terms combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2012 was the year of the yang water dragon, and 2014 will be of the yang wood horse. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years simply because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year. People born in snake years are said to be intelligent and influential, but they can also be manipulative and selfish.

Chinese Characters 5

2012-09-20T07:35:00.000-04:00

Gold	Silver	Balance	Simple	Complex
jin (金)	yin (银)	pingheng (平衡)	jiandan ( 簡單 )	fuza (复杂)

North	South	East	West	What
bei (北)	nan (南)	dong (東)	xi (西)	shenme (什么)

Why	How	Who	When	Where
wei shenme (为什么)	zenmeyang (怎么样)	shui (谁)	shenme shihou (什么时候)	nar (哪儿)

Chinese Characters 4

2012-05-31T19:00:00.004-04:00

Life	Death	Zen	God (monotheistic)	god (polytheistic)
Shengming (生命)	Si (死)	Chan (禅)	tianzhu (天主)	shen (神)

Buddhism	Hinduism	Shinto	Daoism	Confucianism
Fojiao (佛教)	Yindujiao (印度教)	Shendao (神道)	Daojiao (道教)	Rujiao (儒教)

Afterlife	Create	Destroy	Restore	Purify
Laishi (來世)	Chuangzao (創造)	Hui (隳)	Huifu (恢复)	Di (滌)

Chinese Characters 3

2012-04-24T20:47:00.009-04:00

Chinese Characters 2

2012-04-09T13:35:00.005-04:00

Common Chinese Characters

2012-03-26T00:30:00.010-04:00

Because of their abstract beauty, Chinese symbols, or characters, are widely used for decoration and tattoos. Posters, framed paintings, shirts, hats, and many more items can be bought that are adorned with Chinese writing (other languages like Japanese are also used). Below are some commonly used words with their translations provided. Click the pictures for larger versions.

Happy Lunar New Year!

2012-01-23T08:45:00.000-05:00

Further festivities can be enjoyed for the next two weeks, including several birthdays. A couple examples are the God of Wealth's birthday tomorrow and the “common man's birthday” on January 22. On February 6 the new year's celebration is concluded with the Lantern Festival. For this fifteenth and last day of the Spring Festival, candles are lit and lanterns are paraded through the streets.

As you may have heard, 2012 is the year of the dragon. More specifically it is the yang water dragon. In Chinese astrological beliefs, birth years follow cycles. The twelve-year zodiac cycle goes like this: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and then pig. The ten-year elemental cycle is as follows: wood, wood, fire, fire, earth, earth, metal, metal, water, and then water. The two-year yin-yang cycle is, obviously, yin then yang. These terms combine to form one overall sixty-year cycle. Astrologers use these cycles to determine the character traits and fortunes of a person based on birth year. According to the sixty-year cycle, 2011 was the year of the yin metal rabbit, and 2013 will be of the yin water snake. The astrological beliefs are so widespread that Chinese communities experience an increase in birth rates during dragon years. Parents try to have their children born on those years simply because the dragon is the best zodiac animal. If you are born in a year of the dragon, so the astrologers say, you will be smarter, luckier, and more successful in life than if you were born any other year.

What is Qi? (in Martial Arts)

2011-10-18T22:50:00.000-04:00

Simply put, qi is life energy (pronounced “chee”, often spelled “chi”). A direct translation is “breath.” According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this energy flows throughout the body like rivers over a landscape. The main channels are called meridians and branch out to nourish every part of the body, much like blood vessels. Blocking or disrupting the flow of qi is said to result in illness and poor health. The main goal of TCM and internal martial arts is to improve qi flow, resulting in better health.

How can this concept be reconciled with western thinking? Some people think it is impossible—that qi is not even real. The spiritual aspects of qi lie outside the realm of science, but much of the idea roughly coincides with scientific fact. Modern science requires precise definitions and measurable quantities in order to analyze any physical phenomena. It is a well-known fact of physics that energy is all around us, and it takes many forms—often converting from one form to another. From a Western point of view, qi can be thought of as a general model of energy as it interacts with the body.

Within the human body, energy takes many forms and serves many functions. Stored chemical energy enters the body through eating and breathing. Nutrients and oxygen are then absorbed and transported via the blood to every cell in the body. Muscles convert chemical energy into kinetic energy—producing movement ranging from blood flow to walking. Chemical energy is converted into electricity by the nervous system to facilitate communication between cells. These nerve signals travel everywhere in the body to and from the brain which forms an elaborate electrical network whose complexity rivals any supercomputer. When converting from chemical energy to any other kind, some heat energy is produced. The body's metabolism requires a certain amount of heat to function just right, and a balance of internal and external temperatures must be constantly maintained. As mentioned in the previous post, heat naturally spreads from hot areas to cold ones. In cold environments, the body's heat energy flows outward which means more heat must be produced to keep the internal temperature correct. In hot environments, heat flows from the surroundings into the body, and the body works to expel heat faster. Another form of energy relevant to bodily function is gravitational potential energy. Gravity pulls the body downward, and the muscles constantly work against it to keep the body upright and the blood flowing. In the martial arts, keeping one's balance is crucial.

Balance is a recurring theme in Eastern philosophy, and it certainly applies to qi. The body works to prevent becoming too hot or too cold. Muscles work together to maintain a stable posture for staying upright. Any strenuous activity requires an appropriate amount of rest. Muscular tension is matched with relaxation for energy efficiency.

Another important component of qi is the mental aspect. “Focusing your qi” can be a powerful method of meditation/visualization. Imagining qi flowing through one's body is an ancient practice of developing the ability to relax and concentrate at the same time. It can also subconsciously affect physical performance as well. If you think about energy flowing from your feet to your fist, your body's coordination and strength may be improved during a punch. This is a result of muscles working harmoniously (efficiently) to produce and direct force and kinetic energy. Qi visualization can also result in some control over autonomic functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.

As you may have realized, energy in the Western sense is constantly flowing within the body, but scientific inquiry separates it into many different categories. When you see energy as one continuous phenomena, without worrying which form it takes, you will have some understanding of qi. Eastern philosophy tends to look at the big picture and find general rules rather than dissecting a subject into exact parts. Both approaches have their pros and cons. Both could benefit greatly by “comparing notes.”

Hope	Loyalty / Devotion	Forever	Trust	Tradition
Xiwang (希望)	Zhong (忠)	Yong (永)	Xinren (信任)	Chuantong (传统)

Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Rain
Dongji (冬季)	Chunji (春季)	Xiaji (夏季)	Qiuji (秋季)	Yu (雨)

Tree	Mountain	Mind	I (pronoun)	You
Shu (树)	Shan (山)	Jingshen (精神)	Wo (我)	Ni (你)

Change	Peace / Harmony	Honest	Perseverance	Freedom
Bian (变)	He (和)	Cheng (诚)	Hengxin (恒心)	Ziyou (自由)

Air	Thunder	Lightning / Electricity	Light	Dark
Kongqi (空气)	Lei (雷)	Dian (電)	Guang (光)	Hei (黑)

Virtue	Yin-Yang	Five Elements	Warrior	China
De (德)	Yinyang (陰陽)	Wu Xing (五行)	Zhanshi (戰士)	Zhingguo (中国)

Vitality / Breath	Strength	Longevity	Love	Happiness / Prosperity
Qi (氣)	Li (力)	Shou (寿)	Ai (爱)	Fu (福)

Wood	Fire	Earth	Metal	Water
Mu (木)	Huo (火)	Tu (土)	Jin (金)	Shui (水)

Wisdom	Courage	Kung Fu / Effort	Dragon	Chinese Lion
Zhihui (智慧)	Yongqi (勇气)	Gongfu (功夫)	Long (龍)	Shi (獅)