高考英语高频中国文化知识点汇总(2)

　　9. Chinese fans中国扇子

　　Fans seem to have special meaning in Chinese culture. I've received a number of them as gifts from my Chinese friends. The fans are very pretty. So I assume they are not meant to be used. Also they are too cute for a man like me to use. Fans used to be a favorite item for women in China. You may have noticed that nearly all female figures in traditional Chinese paintings carry a silk fan. In the movies of the 1930s and 1940s, fans are a very visible article for Shanghai women on the bond. Usually the structure of the fans is made of sand wood, and the faces are made of silk or paper. Because the fans are always scented, women who use them appeared even more attractive. Fans are probably one of the most appropriate expressions of female elegance. Men also use fans. But these fans are usually much bigger. Men's fans often use valuable materials for that structure and the faces are always painted with plants, landscapes or calligraphy to express the only status and aspirations. But none of fans I have look the same as what you have just told me. The paintings are also different. Mine are painted with either Beijing Opera masks or Chinese dragons. As a result of open-door policy, fans have become popular again, not for people to use at home, but as a gift for foreigners. However, unlike fans of the old days, the ones people use as gifts nowadays do not take a lot of craftsmanship to make. Neither are the materials unique. In some of the popular tourist markets around Beijing, you can buy traditional Zhejiang fans made of blue painted cloth. In stead of sand wood, very scented substitute materials are used for the structures. Because fans are small, inexpensive and typically Chinese, many people like to use them as gifts from the overseas trips. I heard westerners appreciate these gifts. My Mexican friends told me that Chinese fans are all over the place in Mexico. Things are probably true in Chinatowns throughout the United States. That reminds me of an article by a Chinese writer. He wrote that two former Soviet Union experts paid a special visit to a fan factory in Suzhou during the 1960s. They wanted to buy some fans to take home. The workers were very excited about that visit. The factory held a meeting of its 200 workers to discuss the production plan. They were determined to make the best fans they could for their Soviet friends. Now, although fans are still a very good gift for foreigners, we seem to be using excessively. Someone needs to have a look at the fans factory and people who go on overseas trips about the over-supply of fans.

　　10.Beijing Opera Facial Masks京剧脸谱

　　Beijing Opera is the cream of the Chinese culture. As such it has become a must-see item to entertain foreigners. But I don't like its shrieking singing and noisy . I enjoy the costumes and facial masks better. As a traditional art form, Beijing Opera has problems and appealing to the days theatre goes. It is very slow and monotonous. Its costumes and facial masks are more attractive. It has real distinct Ming Dynasty influence on Beijing Opera costu

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　　mes. They are colorful and majestic. Two long pieces of wide silk at the end of the sleeves create a graceful feeling during dancing. Different styles of costumes are used to reflect the status of different characters. There are more decorations in the costumes of nobles, while those of the poor tend to be simple and less elemental, as the same materials are used for all costumes to ensure the desired hierarchical presentation. Present-day designers are also borrowing from Beijing Opera for their work. Facial masks can reflect qualities of different characters. Facial masks using different colors are important ways to portray a character. There are hundreds of different facial mask designs and each character has its own design. For example, Guan Yu is a very well-known warrior. People believe he had a dark-red complexion. So his facial mask is painted red, because red is a color to represent loyalty and courage. As the folk thing goes, all red complexion guys are good guys. The facial mask of Song Dynasty Emperor Zhao Kuangyin depicts a dragon to show his imperial background. Another hero is Yang . There's a tiger in his facial mask. The word 'tiger' is even written on the forehead to show that he is as courageous as tiger. So colors become an important expression. Yes, people can tell a hero from a villain by the colors of the masks. In general, white usually represents treachery, black represents righteousness, yellow represents bravery, blue and green represent rebellious fighters, while gold and silver represent divinity and Buddhism. I didn't realize Beijing Opera facial mask is so complicated. Although I can't stand its shrieking singing, I still like to go to a Beijing Opera show and listen to mp3 while enjoying the facial masks. Then you can have the best of both wealth.

　　11. Yellow: China's Favorite Color 黄，中国人崇尚的颜色

　　A：Chinese people seem to like the red and yellow colors a lot. The two colors are used for the Chinese national flag. They are also the predominant colors for the cover design of some important books, as well as in the decorations for major events, such as the flower display in Tian'anmen Square during the National Day holidays.

　　B：The color preferences of the Chinese people are influenced by the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth, in addition to geographical locations and weather. China is a huge and geographically diversified country. It is cold in the north so people there like warm colors. But it is just the opposite in the south. Of all the warm colors, the Han people like yellow especially.

　　A：Maybe because the Hans originated in the Yellow River Plateau, a region where yellow was the prevailing color.

　　B：You are probably right. As far as the five elements are concerned, the corresponding colors are white, green, black, red, and yellow. Yellow is the predominant color and is situated in the center of the diagram. Yellow was also the color representing the imperial court in traditional China. It was established as the authoritative color representing the Emperor during the Han Dynasty more than 2000 years ago. During the Sui Dynasty, yellow was officially designated as the exclusive color for the imperial family. It was used in the Emperor's clothes, the paper on which the Emperor published his decrees, and the calendar that was printed by the Imperial Court.

　　A：People have a tradition of making a "longevity outfit" for the deceased. The inner side of the outfit is always yellow. The bottom of the coffin is also lined with yellow silk.

　　B：During the 1980s and 1990s, taxis in Beijing were all painted yellow. Those taxis were very popular because of space and low fares. However, they were considered inappropriate for Beijing and were replaced with new models. The new taxis use a standard color pattern with yellow at the bottom, which acts as a reminder of Beijing's Imperial tradition.

　　A：Nowadays, people always refer to pornography as "yellow literature" and pornographic films as "yellow movies." That reference can be traced to a newspaper from the 19th century United St

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　　ates, which used to print vulgar paintings in yellow.

　　B：The word "yellow" in the campaign statement of "Eradicate the yellow and fight against the illegal" refers to pornography. I guess we all need to be very careful with the yellow color since it is used to represent both the Imperial Court and bad taste. In olden times, a person could be beheaded for the misuse of yellow. It can also cause trouble today if a person associates himself with the wrong yellow.

　　A：中国人似乎很喜欢红黄两色，你看，中国国旗就是由这两种颜色组成的。很多重大场合或重要书籍的装帧总会用到这两种颜色。国庆节天安门广场摆放的花坛，也是以这两种颜色作主调。

　　B：中国人对色彩的好恶除了受地理、气候的影响外，也受到传统五行说的影响。从地理方面说，中国是个地域广阔的国家，北方寒冷，人们喜欢暖色；南方炎热，人们喜欢冷色。在暖色中，汉民族最崇尚黄色。

　　A：这也许是因为汉民族的发源地是黄土高原，这个地域满目黄土之色。

　　B：可能是吧。从五行说来看，金、木、水、火、土所代表的五色分别是白、青、黑、赤、黄，其中黄为主色，位在中央。在中国古代社会，黄色是皇权的象征。在两千多年前的汉代，朝廷就规定"衣尚黄"，确立了黄色的权威地位。从隋朝起，黄色成为皇家专用的颜色。皇帝的龙袍称作黄袍；皇帝的文告用黄纸写成，称黄榜；皇帝颁发的历书用黄纸印刷，称为黄历。

　　A：据我所知，按照传统，死者去世后穿的衣服称作"寿衣"，它讲究双层缝制，里面那一层一定要用黄色。棺材的底部也要铺上黄绸布。

　　B：上世纪八九十年代，北京街头跑着的出租车就是黄色的面包车。它因为价廉且空间大而广受欢迎。后来这种车型被认为有碍京城市容而被新车型取代。现在的出租车采用统一的颜色，下半部为土黄，以体现北京皇家名城的传统。

　　A：现在，人们称色情文学为"黄色小说"，称色情电影为"黄色电影"。这种说法来源于19世纪美国的一家报纸，该报社以黄色印刷趣味低下的漫画。

　　B：现在的词汇"扫黄打非"中的"黄"就有色情的意思。这种有时贵为皇家专用，有时又表示低级趣味的颜色，用起来还真要小心。古时用错了黄色会杀头，今天错用了黄色会闯祸。

　　12. Red - China's Favorite Color红，中国人崇尚的颜色

　　A: Chinese people also like the red color a lot. China used to be called the red country in the past. Even now, Chinese people like to refer ourselves as Chizi, meaning the red descendant.

　　B: Traditionally, red represents the motherland and authority. Official uniforms of the Tang Dynasty were red. In the Qing Dynasty, different shades of red were used on official caps to show different ranking. Even nowadays, headlines of official documents are still painted in red. This is why they are called red-head documents.

　　A: Red is also a highly-regarded color among ordinary people.

　　B: yes, because it represents happiness. For example, the word double happiness used for weddings is red. The bride wears red clothes, which is different from the white gowns of the west. During Chinese spring festival, people will give Hongbao or red packets with money inside to the children as well wishes. Couplets hanging on both sides of the doors are written in red. Even the outfit of Zhongkui, the door god whose portrait is hung on the door is red. The word red equals prettiness. The expression 'hongyan'meaning red color is a synonym of a beautiful girl. Red is also one of the most popular words used in the names of Chinese women.

　　A: You told a lot about how people like the red color. In traffic lights as well as in soccer, red means stop prelimination.

　　B: This is how the westerners like to use the red color. Because red is very bright, it is good for warning purposes. But it doesn't really have any negative meanings. In China, the red color was abused during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. The country was overwhelmed with red flags、posters、 unbans and Mao's badges, etc., and was therefore called a red sea.

　　A: Ironically, although there was worship of red, no one dared to wear red clothes. Everyone was in either green or blue uniforms. That's why westerners refer to the Chinese as blue ants at that time.

　　B: I guess red clothes were somehow associated with the meaning of beauty in the red color. During those special years, beauty was considered bourgeois. So anyone who dared to wear red would be drowned in the red sea.

　　13. The Importance of Chopsticks筷子的

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　　重要性

　　A: In the 17th century when the British businessman heard that there were one hundred million people in China, he was determined to go there and sell spoons. He thought even if a spoon would only sell for one penny, he would still make one hundred million pennies. But he didn't succeed. The Chinese people use chopsticks not spoons.

　　B: Some people did some research on the origin of China's chopsticks compared to the knife and fork in the west. One theory is that China was an agricultural society and relied on vegetables for food. Chopsticks were very convenient to those for eating. The westerners, on the other hand, were nomads and lived on meat. The knife and fork were more practical. Others believe that China didn't have much industry and therefore people use chopsticks. The west was an industrial society, so their eating utensils were made of metal.

　　A: Sounds interesting. When I first learned that the Chinese use a pair of sticks to eat with, I was curious how they would drink soup. Just like the Indians who use their fingers to eat, do they also use their fingers to drink soup?

　　B: Whatever the reasons why the Chinese use chopsticks and westerners use knife and fork, it is a result of their respective cultures. Chinese culture is developed around collectivism, which stresses communion and harmony. The western culture emphasizes individualism. In terms of eating customs, chopsticks and knives and forks are two desperate expressions of this cultural difference. The Chinese like to have communal meals where everybody eats out of the same bowl of food. Chopsticks were used in order to discourage people from eating more than others. This was not only a good way to preserve collectiveness, but also to limit individualism. It is more straightforward in the west. People eat their meals on their own, and there's no restriction on how to eat.

　　A: That sounds quite reasonable.

　　B: In addition, table manners are very strict during the Chinese meal. Respect has to be given to the elderly. Each time a dish is served, everyone has to wait until the elder person starts or to cut the ribbon as it is now called. The westerners will simply say "Help yourself" to start. The food is brought to the table all of the same time, so everybody is on the same starting line. This lacks the warm atmosphere which prevails at the Chinese dinner.

　　A: This may be the reason why it is always very noisy at the Chinese dinner, but quiet in the western restaurant.

　　14. The Elegance of Tea-Drinking茶的格调

　　A: In classical novels, if someone drinks tea out of a big cup to quench his thirst, the word used to illustrate this action is "drink", like a cow drinking water. Scholars would use fine cups to drink tea and the word to use is "savour".

　　B: Tea drinking is a very sophisticated pastime. It starts with the environment. In the past, tea drinking should take place in a setting where "spring water runs on marbles" or "in a monastery in misty spring" or "in the woods during sunset." Nowadays, in order to recreate such an ambience, tea houses are always decorated with traditional paintings, calligraphy and furniture, with a girl in traditional costume playing the gu zheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument.

　　A: How about the tea sets?

　　B: In the old days, people used iron kettles to boil water. Tea was placed in a paper bag. Porcelain cups were used for drinking The water came from melted snow which was collected from plum blossom trees the previous winter and stored underground in a jar. Today people use different tea sets but the most popular ones are the pots made in Yixing. No one collects snow any more because of pollution so people use bottled water instead.

　　A: Is there any difference in the tea?

　　B: Tea has categories: red tea, green tea, Wulong tea and Pu'er tea. The first three types of tea area processed using similar methods but Pu'er tea uses a totaly different method. It contains a kink of fungus which is believed to be healthy. The fungus will ferment on its own after the tea is processed. This is why expensive Pu'er tea is always quite old.

　　A: Is t

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　　ea drinking very expensive?

　　B: Yes, it is a commercialized hobby now. This is different from the way ancient scholars enjoys themselves, by savouring tea among bamboos or in the moonlight. People nowadays talk business in expensively-decorated tea houses. Ordinary people go to the inexpensive tea houses where they can play games or simply chat with friends. It's more personal. Although such tea houses may not look elegant, the certainly have a relaxed atmosphere and are good fun.

　　A: Different tea houses can meet different needs and, you are right, people's taste preferences are not always swayed by money.

　　15. Beijing's Identity北京人的身份

　　A: Are you a Beijinger?

　　B: Not really. I was born in Shandong, but was raised in Hubei. I came to Beijing when I was ten and have lived here ever since. So, you tell me if I qualify as a Beijinger?

　　A: No, you are not a real Beijinger.

　　B: It's no hard to find a family that has lived in Beijing for more than three generations.

　　A: Some people say that Beijing is very generous and open-minded. Do you agree?

　　B: Generous, maybe. A friend of mine had a small accident once. Her car got stuck in a ditch. Four young men, all non-Beijingers, happened to pass by. They refused to help. Then an old man came over. He was a Beijinger. Without any hesitation, he helped my friend pull the car out. He also told her to drive carefully.

　　A: That's a typical Beijinger. Such a person is always ready to help when someone is in need.

　　B: I guess this has something to do with the fact that Beijing has been a capital city for several dynasties. People living here always feel obligated by a sense of honor. Also, face is very important for a Beijinger. When doing business, especially with a friend, a Beijinger doesn't want to appear too fussy about the contract or making concessions. He cares more about friendship and esteem.

　　A: Tolerant may not be the right word to describe a Beijinger. About twenty years ago, Beijing residence usually looked down upon non-Beijingers, believing them to be rustic and ignorant.

　　B: That's true. Beijing has used to look down upon outsiders. In the past, due to strict residential permit requirement, it was extremely difficult to become a Beijing resident. There's more mobility now, and anyone can find a job in Beijing. Pick someone in the street a most likely that person isn't a real Beijinger. True Beijingers do not have a feeling of superiority, and that may be why they appear to be more tolerant nowadays.

　　A: This is quite similar to New York. There are fewer and fewer real Americans there. Some say New York is no longer a city of Americans. I think the same is true with Beijing.