Religions & Beliefs in China

China has been a multi-religion country since the ancient times. It is well known that
Confucianism is an indigenous religion and is the soul of Chinese culture, which enjoyed
popular support among people and even became the guiding ideology for feudalism
society, but it did not develop into a national belief. It makes the culture more tolerant
to others, thus, many other religions have been brought into the country in different
dynasties, but none of them developed powerful enough in the history and they only
provide diverse people more spiritual support.

Buddhism

Confuciansm

Taoism

FOOD

Noodles are a basic staple food in China. Chinese people love noodles very much, especially in
the north. Chinese noodles are generally made from wheat flour,rice flour, or mung bean
starch. Noodles are often served in soup, or stir-fried with meat, eggs, or vegetables.

CLOTHING
Chinese people were wearing silk while other cultures were still dressing in animal skins.
Clothing in China did not only evolve over time; it often transformed dramatically following Dynastic
changes or the Imperial decree of a new ruler. In ancient feudal society, people's rank and position
could easily be distinguished from their daily dress, especially for the ordinary people and upperclass.

DANCE
Music, there is a distinction between court dance and folk dance. Common court dances are
jeongjaemu () performed at banquets, and ilmu (), performed at Korean
Confucian rituals. Jeongjaemu is divided into native dances (, hyangak jeongjae)
and forms imported from Central Asia and China (, dangak jeongjae). Ilmu are
divided into civil dance (, munmu) and military dance (, mumu). Many mask dramas
and mask dances are performed in many regional areas of Korea.[7] The traditional clothing
is the genja, it is a special kind of dress that women wear on festivals. It is pink with
multiple symbols around the neck area.

MUSIC
There is a genre distinction between folk music and court music. Korean folk music is varied
and complex, but all forms maintain a set of rhythms (called ; Jangdan) and a loosely
defined set of melodic modes. Korean folk musics are Pansori () performed by one
singer and one drummer. Occasionally, there might be dancers and narraters. They have
been designated an intangible cultural property inUNESCO's Memory of the world,
[15]
and Pungmul () performed by drumming, dancing and singing. Samul Nori is a type
of Korean traditional music based on Pungmul, and Sanjo () that is played without a
pause in faster tempos. Nongak () means "farmers music.

Language
The Koreans are one ethnic family speaking one language. They share certain distinct
physical characteristics which differentiate them from other Asian people including the
Chinese and the Japanese, and have a strong cultural identity as one ethnic family.
The Korean language is spoken by more than 65 million people living on the peninsula and
its outlying islands as well as 5.5 million Koreans living in other parts of the world. The fact
that all Koreans speak and write the same language has been a crucial factor in their strong
national identity. Modern Korea has several different dialects including the standard one
used in Seoul and central areas, but they are similar enough that speakers/listeners do not
have trouble understanding each other.

Korean Family Values

The family is the most important part of Korean life.

In Confucian tradition, the father is the head of the family and it is his responsibility
to provide food, clothing and shelter, and to approve the marriages of family members.

The eldest son has special duties: first to his parents, then to his brothers from older
to younger, then to his sons, then to his wife, and lastly to his daughters.

Family welfare is much more important than the needs of the individual.

Members of the family are tied to each other because the actions of one family
member reflect on the rest of the family.

In many cases the family register can trace a family's history, through male
ancestors, for over 500 years.

Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions.A variety ofttok(rice cake), other traditional

confectionery, and fresh fruits are served to celebrate birthdays, marriages, and
thehwan'gap(the sixtieth birthday). The offerings atch'arye, memorial services for one's

ancestors performed on special holidays, include rice wine, steamed white rice, soup,
barbecued meats, and fresh fruits. After ritual offerings of the wine and food to the
ancestral spirits, the family members consume the food and wine. Their ingestion
symbolizes the receiving of blessings from the ancestral spirits.

Religious Beliefs.As a result of constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion, there is a wide

range of religious beliefs, from shamanism, Confucianism, and Buddhism to Christianity, Islam,
and other religions. Indigenous folk beliefs and shamanism have co-evolved, sharing a
fundamental belief in the existence of a myriad of gods (such as the mountain gods, the house
gods, and the fire god) and spirits of the dead, all of which may influence people's
fortunes.Korean Buddhismhas both doctrinal andmeditativetraditions. Buddhists believe that
human suffering is caused mainly by desire. Thus, some Buddhists try to obtain enlightenment
by cultivating an attitude of detachment, while others seek to fulfill their desires by offering
prayers of requests to Kwanum, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Confucianism is a political and
social philosophy that emphasizes the virtues ofin, usually translated as "human-heartedness,"
andhyoor filial piety, which is expressed through ceremony such as ancestor rites. The
Confucian concept of heaven is an impersonal yet willful force in nature and society, and is
beyond human control.

Korean Culture

Korean culture is very interesting and full of wonderful

traditions. It is a magical place where you find both perfect peace and harmony, but unfortunately wars
and tragedies as well. Korean culture rarely falls short of amazing.

Language

The Korean language is shared between both North and South Korea and is part
of the Altaic language family. There are various dialects but the language is generally understood
everywhere. 65 million people speak the Language, with 45 million speaking it in South Korea. The
language is considered one of the best and most well planned languages in history. Hangul is the Korean
name of the language. The alphabet was created by King Sejong in 1446. The alphabet is extremely easy
tolearn, which gives Korea one of the highest literacy rates in the World.

Major Cities

Seoul is the capital and most important city of South Korea. It is very city-like and could be compared to
New York City. There is plenty to do there, especially at night. Shopping stands are open during the night
and it isn't a quiet place at night either! There is always something to do anytime of the day.

Traditional Korean Society

Although South Korea is modernizing extremely fast, it still holds on to many traditional values and the old
way of life. Where there are not highly populated cities, there are rural area's which are still relatively
poor, and still follow traditional ways of life. In cities, millions of people live in apartments, but in the rural
area's you will find traditional housing. Also, even though the cities are headed toward very modern times,
people still hold onto some traditional values. One thing that guarantee's this is the language. The
language has traditional values of social status and respect built directly into it. Words change depending
on who you are speaking with. This will keep traditional values always present.

Education
Korean society places great importance on obtaining a solid education, and as such everyone strives to
be as educated as possible. For the school system, it consists of 6 years primary school, 3 in middle
school and high school, and 4 years at a college. After that, there are post-graduate degrees just like we
have here in the US. Because education is of such great importance, parents will try to get their children
into the best school possible.