Chinese tea sets: Preserving the Essence of Chinese Teas

By Sammia Cheng

China has been exporting tea to 90% of the world's market. Chinese teas are known for their superior quality especially when it comes to taste, texture, and flavour. Among the most commonly consumed beverages, tea ranks first amongst others. Chinese teas are best served with Chinese tea sets since they create a synergistic effect that enhances the experience.

Tea has become a part of life for most cultures, but it is said that most tea trees from other countries have their origin in China. People from different cultures call tea in different names. In China, tea is called "cha", more like "tsa-a" in the Philippines. Russians on the other hand, call their tea as "cha'i", pronounced as "chaye".

Japan started its love for tea during the 6th century while the American and Europeans discovered this aromatic beverage only after the 17th and 18th century. People from different parts of the world enjoy the relaxing attributes of tea, but it is beyond doubt that the passion for tea started in the Yixing town of China.

Teas can be classified in different ways, but the commonly used classification is on how they are made.

1. Green tea: The only variety of tea that can keep its natural color even after brewing is the green tea. Green teas that yield the perfect tea leaves are the following: Longjing tea of Zhejiang, Maofeng from the mountains of Anhui, and Biluochun of the Jiangsu province.

2. Black tea: Teas that are fermented before they are baked are classified as black teas. These teas are also known as "red teas" by tea lovers. The best tea leaves for black teas are: Suhong of Jiangsu, Qihong of Anhui, and Dianhong of Yunnan.

3. Wulong tea: Wulong teas are popular in the south-eastern parts of China that includes Taiwan, Guandong, and Fujian. Wulong tea is simply a mixture of black tea and green tea.

4. Compressed tea: Compressed tea or "brick tea" is a variety of black tea that is compressed into a certain shaped to be stored and transported commercially to a large number of consumers. Brick teas are made in Hunan, Hubei, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces.

5. Scented tea: This type of tea mixes fragrant flowers with tea leaves to create an aroma that is unique to teas. The most commonly used flowers are magnolia and jasmine.

Teas are best served with tea sets since they preserve the natural flavor of tea. Tea sets are high quality, durable set of dishes that are used for afternoon tea or a formal tea party. Most of these tea sets are made of porcelain, bone china, or silver.

In China, the most popular type of tea set is made of Yixing clay. Historically, teas were believed to be brewed from these Yixing clay pots and are served to the guests after it has been cooled enough to drink. The Yixing tea set is named after a town in the eastern province of Jiangsu, China.

In assessing a quality of a pot, there are a number of things that a tea enthusiast should consider. Tapping the body of a pot with another pot is a simple test to determine its quality. If the light tap creates a metal like sound, then the pot is of good quality.

A different way to assess the quality of a clay pot is to fill it up with water then close its lead. If the water flows smoothly out of the pot, it tells us that the pot is made to serve its purpose.

The Yixing tea pots are also known for their ability to retain the flavour of tea. When a tea is brewed using the Yixing pot for a long period of time, a coating is created, and this coating preserves the natural flavour of tea. Washing the pot with soap will wash away the coating, this is the reason why these types of teapots should only be washed with water and air dried.

It is undeniable that tea has become a part of life for most people. Teas can be brought in a variety of mixes and flavours. Most teas taste best when they are served in their appropriate tea sets. Chinese tea sets, specifically the Yixing clay pots, are best with Chinese teas since they do not only preserve the flavour of tea, but the tradition of Chinese tea as well. - 30294

About the Author:

China 101: From Beijing Hotels to Courtyards of the Forbidden City

By Efrenn Larson

China, the sleeping Dragon of Asia, is now opening its doors to the world. Most people would probably think of the Chinese people as strict and stiff because of their political background. But far from the racial issues, lie a rich culture that is yet to be uncovered.

The Forbidden City, along with the Great Wall of China, is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Beijing. During the afternoon breeze, one could see the distinct beauty of the Forbidden City from afar. Its golden roof and bright red walls magnificently reflect the symbol of China's longstanding power and grandeur.

Beijing, being the most anticipated economic powerhouse player of today, offers a number of hotels for her visitor and guests who are into Asian culture and dining. There are also a number of hotels in Beijing that are also proximal to the cultural centers of China, making it easier for tourist to organize their time efficiently while enjoying city's sights and sound.

When visiting China's Forbidden City, it is best to schedule your tour on a weekday since crowding usually happen on the weekends. It would also be best to take a tour guide with you during your tour so you could accurately understand the unique and stunning architectural designs and structures of the palace. If you plan on going the extra mile, then buying a guidebook from a near by coffee shop or hotel lobby would also work for that matter.

Considered as the world's largest palace, The Forbidden City, locally known as Gugong or Zinjincheng, has an area that covers 0.3 square miles or 720,000 square meters of land. There are only four gates that connect the palace to the outside world, the Tiananmen Gate, which is located at the southern end of the complex, serves as the main gate to the palace.

After entering the main gate, you should see an inner gate, this is the Meridian or the Interior Gate, and this gate will lead you to the heart of the palace. Beyond the Interior Gate, is a vast plaza that is connected to another sacred gate, the Gate of Supreme Harmony.

This Imperial Court of Harmony has two divisions to it: There is an inner court that serves as a living quarter for both the emperor and his subordinates, and another court, dubbed as the outer court; that contains the Hall of Supreme Harmony, China's larges wooden structure to date.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony, back in the olden times, played a very important role in shaping Chinese culture and tradition. This is the hall where most of China's important gatherings have taken place, from enthroning a King to celebrating royal marriages.

The hall is bounded with numerous symbols that symbolize China's magnificent culture. The dragon, being the known symbol of imperial supremacy and power, is one of the most diverse structures found in the room that would surely get ones attention. Another vital configuration which lies afar from this hall is the Midway Hall of Harmony, where the sovereign exposes himself to the common people to tackle issues that surrounds his statute.

The Hall of Heavenly Purity houses the emperor, his eunuch, and some concubines. Eunuchs are political advisers to the emperor, it is said that these advisers were forced to get their testicles remove to satisfy the emperor's security with regards to his position in the dynasty. During the Ming dynasty, there was a slight change in the room assignment, instead of the emperor and empress sleeping together, they were separated by another hall.

Finally, The Imperial Garden, where the Hall of Mental Cultivation and the Palace of Tranquil Longevity is located. This Garden lodges the overwhelming artifacts and astounding remnants of China's civilization which proves its passion for excellence and perfection.

No doubt, China, its people and its culture has proven in many ways their active participation and exceptional part in the world's history. Today, being the pioneer of the world's most life changing technologies and inventions, China is encouraging foreigners and locals to experience a unique and more exciting of scenes in the city. From the Hotels in Beijing to the Forbidden City Courtyards, the marvelous blend of culture, history and technology, will surely bring a new flavor to the table, a person should never miss this once in a lifetime experience - 30294

About the Author:

Beijing Hotels Boost Tourism in the 2008 Summer Olympics

By Efrenn Larson

China, one of the world's emerging superpowers, recently increased her exposure in the world stage as she hosted the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The Olympics is a quadrennial event which is participated by about 120 countries, with players engaging themselves in various sports, from track-and-field to javelin throwing, from basketball to soccer, from swimming to diving, you name it.

Beijing, after being chosen to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, immediately selected the site where future delegations will stay and where majority of the games will be played. The city and the national government summoned the finest team of architects, engineers and landscape designers to begin this remarkable task which would usher huge investments to the country. In addition to this, foreign hotel groups started to set up their branches of hotels in Beijing in anticipation of increased tourists during the event.

The government planned to use a site wide enough to put the various stadiums and complexes in one place. By doing such, travel time will be significantly reduced, thereby increasing the players' productivity. The Olympic Green was the name chosen for the site. In there, thirty-one sporting venues can be seen. It is situated at the north end of the central axis of Beijing.

The Olympic Green is accessible to most of the hotels in Beijing since it is well within the city's cultural and business districts, where thousands of tourists and businessmen flock to. Many significant sporting venues are located within the green. The biggest of these is the Beijing National Stadium. The building's design was inspired by Chinese ceramics, which depicted intricacy and beauty rolled into one. Also called the 'Bird's Nest,' it hosted 91,000 spectators during the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as in the football and athletics finals.

Another unique structure is the Beijing National Aquatics Center, better known as the 'Water Cube.' Its design is based on the structure of soap bubbles, which are air-filled pockets of translucent plastic. At night, the structure illuminates with colors which change from time to time. This was where swimming, diving and synchronized swimming competitions were held.

The Beijing National Indoor Stadium, dubbed 'The Fan' due to its design similar to a traditional Chinese holding fan, hosted Artistic Gymnastics, Handball events and Tramp lining. The Convention Center, a 270,000 square-meter structure, used for Fencing and the Modern Pentathlon, can also be found within the Green. It was also the International Broadcast Center where the press covered the entire games.

The Beijing Olympic Village was the temporary home of the athletes. It resembles some of the hotels in Beijing since it is made up of twenty-two six-storey buildings and twenty nine-storey buildings.

Beijing hotels were having good occupancy rates during the games. The city and the country were the stars of the show. Indeed, China and its people were in the limelight. People can finally say that the Sleeping Dragon has finally awakened! - 30294

About the Author:

About Tai Chi Techniques and Training

By Walter McKibbin

Derived from the Taiji symbol which, in the Western areas is known as the yin and yang, Tai Chi was said to be the practice that preserved the oldest schools of learning which study the receptive and active principles.

As a practice, Tai Chi's core training features 2 forms: first, the solo form, which stresses slow sequence of movements while keeping the spine straight and firm, maintaining the range of motion and constant breathing. The Push Hands being the second core of Tai Chi training involves training of the principles of movement in a manner that is more practical and convenient.

As the word implies, the solo form of Tai Chi, requires only the one person to conquer the movements. It would take the students through a natural and complete range of motion over gravity's center. If repeated accurately, the practice of the solo form can retain posture, maintain honest flexibility going through the joints and muscles, encourage proper circulation from any point of the student's body, and let students be more familiarized with some of the important martial art application sequences that are usually implied by the different forms.

Major styles of traditional Tai Chi have forms that somewhat differ from the others in its presentation. Some differ in the wave of the hands, in the position of the legs, the reaction of the body and the pace of the movement. But these things don't matter at all because what is important to Tai Chi practice is that it benefits not just your body but your mind as well. And besides, there are still many similarities coming from the point of their common origin that are obvious enough to recognize, anyway.

Solo form, weapons and empty-hands are the basic steps to start off with learning Tai Chi. Many other martial arts application do this in their trainings. This is especially intended to prepare the students for self-defense.

The philosophy goes: if one becomes stiff and equally uses hardness in attending to violence, otherwise resisting it, then it is expected that both sides can be injured at a certain degree. An injury like that is a Tai Chi theory that coincides with the consequence of fighting brute with brute, which, in Tai Chi is far beyond the right attitude and style.

Unlike in other martial arts where force is encourage to be applied to some extent, in Tai Chi, students are taught to face battle with delicate movements and gentleness, following every attacking motion and in the end, tiring their opponent. This is even done while remaining at a close contact. This is the principle wherein the yin and yang is applied - the main goal of training Tai Chi.

Aside from that, Tai Chi schools also focus their attention on how the energy of a striking person affects his opponent. For example, the palm can strike physically looking the same and performing the same but has a different and dramatic effect on the target.

With your palm you can push a person forward or backward, do it in such a way that the opponents are lifted vertically from the ground, this way their center of gravity will be shaken and eventually fall.

After which, this technique can literary terminate the striking force within the body of the person with the dearest intention of causing traumatic internal damage. - 30294

About the Author:

Overlooking the Forbidden City of China from Hotels in Beijing

By Efrenn Larson

The People's Republic of China, home to the world's largest population, carries with her a rich culture and a continuing tradition wrought about by 5,000 years of history. Throughout this time, many characteristics of their culture was preserved and enhanced. One of these and probably the most visible is their architecture.

The Forbidden City, one of China's most sought after man-made wonders, was the Chinese imperial palace of the Ming down to the Qing dynasty. Since the spot is centrally-located, many hotels in Beijing abound, making it more practical for tourists to include this site in their daily itineraries.

The Forbidden City is the world's biggest surviving palace complex and sits in a total of 72 hectares of land. It is made up of 980 buildings and houses a wide array of artwork and artifacts from many dynasties. When one is outside, he would notice high walls made from rammed earth core and overlaid with baked bricks which served as defense from invading tribes. Aside from this, the four lookout towers at each city corner, were and still are the most visible parts of the palace to commoners.

As one enters the city, he will find that it is subdivided into two: the Outer court, mainly used for ceremonial purposes and the Inner court, where the emperor and his family and servants resided.

In the Outer Court, one could view the Gate of Supreme Harmony. Just a few steps away, he will be awed by the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a magnificent edifice built above three stone foundations and bordered by bronze incense burners. It was here where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties celebrated their wedding and enthronement ceremonies. Further down is the Hall of Central Harmony, a smaller hall used by the ruler to prepare and rest before and during special occasions. Finally, there is the Hall of Preserving Harmony which was used for rehearsing activities.

In the inner court, one will be delighted by the sight of its largest building, the Palace of Heavenly Purity. It was once the emperor's audience hall where he received visitors from other countries. The residence of the empress, The Palace of Earthly Tranquility, can be found within striking distance.

After a worthwhile time of touring this historic site, one could take a break in the Imperial gardens which are dispersed just outside the city. Famous parks include the Jingshan Park and the Zhongnanhai. One will be amazed by the lakes, multicolored flowers, fountains and soothing trees which can ignite the senses.

For those who want to take a piece of the Forbidden City, they can also buy souvenir items which are readily found outside the city's walls. Shirts, mugs, caps and replicas will help them rekindle their amazing experience. Alas, as the sun sets and breeze starts to cool, it is now time to head back to one of the nice hotels in Beijing to relax and prepare for the next journey ahead. - 30294

About the Author:

One of Beijing Hotels' Top Destinations: The Great Wall of China

By Efrenn Larson

The world's tourism industry is already gaining ground. Many individuals in different parts of the globe slowly realize that it is time to set foot and learn more things in foreign soil. This is the reason why the hotel industry is now creating giant leaps in many nations.

The facts and figures of the United Nations - World Tourism Organization in 2008 have shown that the People's Republic of China placed fourth as the country where tourists frequently visit. With an astounding 53 million tourist arrivals, one cannot help but be amazed, but there is in actuality little surprise to that, since the world has known that the country houses many natural and man-made wonders.

As China's capital, Beijing is one of the major gateways of the country. This translates to increased occupancy rates in Beijing hotels, more shoppers in malls and diners in fine restaurants, eventually leading to increased tourist receipts vital in pump-priming their economy.

One of the most notable of these Chinese landmarks is the Great Wall of China. Recently, it was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This structure is 8,851.8 kilometers long, stretching from the Northeastern shores of the seaside town of Shanhaiguan to the cold and mountainous Gansu Province in the Northwest.

The Great Wall is a chain of stone and earthen defenses which was constantly built, rebuilt and maintained between the 5th and 16th centuries to safeguard the country from invading Mongolians and other tribes. It also provided protection to the country's economic and cultural progress, watched over the Silk Route and secured the transmission of information and transportation. Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, facilitated the construction of the wall and the emperors of the Ming dynasty continued and brought the wall to its present state.

The Great Wall is not just a wall. Throughout its area, one could see defensive structures such as forts, passes and beacon towers which were once used to house soldiers, store grain and weapons and pass on military information.

Although the Great Wall lasts more than a lifetime and can be treasured throughout the year, the best time to have ones' vacation to the place is during spring and autumn, primarily to avoid multitudes of people. In spring, one could see the flowers abloom with pastel colors and the lush greenery, creating an atmosphere of freshness. In the winter, when it is glacial, the surrounding terrains and the wall itself are blanketed with snow, making it the perfect time for one to see the entirety of the wall. From Beijing, a 65-minute bus drive will get you to Badaling, which is the most accessible site. Other sites are Mutianyu and Jinshanling. The itineraries of Beijing hotels make it sure that the tourists will not find it difficult to travel to the place.

The Great Wall of China is one of mankind's best achievements. That is why for transients to completely enjoy their tours, they should dress suitably for the season, bring their versatile cameras, and of course, they must be open and friendly to co-travelers. Wherever they stay, be it in Beijing hotels or in any accommodations from other neighboring areas, one must take time to visit this wonder and who knows, maybe it is in here that he will find what he desires the most. - 30294

About the Author:

How Tai Chi Can Improve Your Health

By Walter McKibbin

Tai Chi is believed to have beneficial effects on health. It can increase energy flow which results to an increase in strength and harmony in your body system. In fact, practitioners of Tai Chi have testified about how the meditative and calming aspect of Tai Chi have helped them eliminate stress brought about by their daily workloads.

Tai Chi, as an exercise can improve muscle tone and enhance the individual's sense of flexibility and balance. Indeed, Tai Chi shows a resemblance to the concept of Yin and Yang where force s expresses in a most harmonious and balance form.

Aside from relaxing the mind and enriching the soul, Tai Chi can also prevent complications of certain illnesses. Over all, it is a very good way of maintaining good health and wellness inside and out. However, it doesn't mean that Tai Chi is a disease-curing technique nor it can be a replacement to your medicines. Tai Chi is somewhat a form of therapy to consider - a therapy that gives you the following benefits:

Sense of Balance and Coordination

One of the major causes of disability and death among the elderly is loss of coordination or in more ways than one, falling. By practicing Tai Chi, balance in older people can improve thus reducing the risk of falling.

Soothes Arthritis

Tai Chi can be used to increase the range of motion without even causing a twinge of pain to the arthritic joint plus improving the flexibility of the bones and strengthening the surrounding muscles. It is not to be addressed that Tai Chi can cure the disease itself but it only lessens its severity and the contributing pain by working on those joints as early as possible.

Improves Circulation

Problems regarding the circulatory process of the heart can be remedied by involving oneself in Tai Chi. By practicing Tai Chi, it can enable the heart to pump enough blood throughout the body and thereby improving the system's circulation.

Multiple Sclerosis

Further studies about Tai Chi have known its great potential in enhancing both the mental and physical well-being of a person. Mental diseases like multiple sclerosis can be prevented by incorporating the practice of Tai Chi in ones daily life.

Banish Stress

Who would want stress? Although, stress is inevitable it surely can be prevented. Tai Chi and its meditation function can reduce the production of toxins and hormones that contribute stress which is directly reflected into your body.

For your Tai Chi experience to become more reproductive and effective, choose a practitioner that is a master of the different aspects and knows what is best for your present day situation.

There are no age limits when it comes to practicing Tai Chi. Everyone is welcome to join. Although, if you are really old and can no longer take such vigorous activities, better consult your physician on what is best before engaging in Tai Chi.

Always remember to inform your instructor of any health problems that you have so that he or she can make certain measures to provide you with the ability to do such movements. Tai Chi must not make you feel any pain. If you do feel any pain, tell your instructor right away. - 30294

About the Author:

Meaning Of The Dragon Symbol

By John Chan

Dragon is one of the most widely accepted mythical creatures which has been an important part of the East Asian way of life. The creation of this beautiful creature comes originally from China. The body of dragon is scaly like any other serpent but it also has four legs with big foot and five claws on each claw.

Like China Europeans too have their dragons but they have different physical qualities and also in their meaning as European dragon has negative implications.

The Chinese dragon on the other hand has assumedadopted both roles of good and evil throughout Chinese history. But more than anything else the symbol of the dragon represents auspicious power according to ancient folklore and art from China.

The Chinese dragon takes on various qualities which the Chinese people have credited to it. It is hardly known that the Chinese dragon is the male symbol representing yang. Then again it is taken as a symbol to carry rain and water where the people are doing agriculture for a living.

A least known fact is that Chinese dragon has a female counter part. This not so well known creature is known as phoenix. As a matter of fact the westerners take it for granted that the Chinese dragon stands for China itself. This fact is not true at all.

You will find that in ancient Chinese history the dragon symbol was restricted to be used solely by emperors. It is well known that the common people were not allowed to use the Chinese dragon symbol during the reign of Yuan dynasty. Only during the Qing dynasty rule that the Chinese dragon was brought to be used on the national flag.

From a long time China has been trying very hard to convince the west that the Dragon has no real connotation in modern day China as they feel that the western people believe that the Chinese dragon represents a war like condition. Therefore they have been looking for something less threatening and have come up with giant panda as their official symbol.

Chinese Dragon plays an important part in giving ethnic identity to Chinese people even today when some of them feel that they are the descendants of the Dragon and they truly have faith in the powerful symbol. The identification of a nation with an animal is a tendency which started in 1970s when the Mongols felt that they have characteristics of wolf and Tibetans felt that they are descendants of monkeys.

The modern Chinese society is still using the Chinese Dragon a lot. The role of the Chinese dragon has changed from religious faith to that of decorative purpose. You will find posters, T-shirts, tattoos, advertisements etc. carrying Chinese Dragon symbol while you are walking around the streets in China. - 30294

About the Author:

Cheaponsale.com Reports Economic Meeting To Guide Direction

By Ke Lei

China is expected to fine-tune its macroeconomic policies, one year after it launched the massive $586-billion stimulus package to save the economy from the worst global financial crisis since the 1930s.

A government conference to lay the groundwork for the country's economic policies not only for 2010 but for the next five years may wrap up today, according to media reports.

Decisions made at the central economic conference, which began on Saturday, will influence policies next year, the last years of the 11th five-year plan (2006-2010), and guide directions in policy for the next five-year plan.

No details of the conference have been released.

But experts said a Nov 27 meeting could set the tone for the conference.

That meeting concluded with officials broadly stating that China will "maintain the continuity and stability of economic policies, and continue to implement the proactive fiscal policy and loose monetary policy".

The issues most likely to be high on the conference agenda include how the government will improve the quality of growth, speed up economic restructuring and boost domestic consumption.

China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 8.9 percent year-on-year in the third quarter and GDP growth for the year is expected to exceed 8 percent, government statistics showed.

To boost economic growth, the government must support policies that increase the income of residents, tackle healthcare reform and invest more in education, experts said.

The stimulus package has played the most important role in reviving the economy, but it also made the economic growth more reliant on investment, said Liu Manping, a researcher at a price monitoring institute under the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planning body.

"China should gradually and moderately adjust its macro policies to avoid any huge impact on economic growth," he said.

Jia Kang, director of the Research Institute for Fiscal Science at the Ministry of Finance, said that "the government may perhaps change its policies in the industrial sectors because of overcapacity and the increasingly ballooning property industry".

Fluctuating prices in the housing market may ease in the second quarter of next year if monetary policies are adjusted, said Wang Zhihao, an economist with Standard Chartered Bank.

During a visit to a number of low-income housing projects on Nov 28, Premier Wen Jiabao said the government should curb speculation in the housing market. - 30294

About the Author:

Animal Zodiac Signs And Chinese Calendar

By John Chan

The symbols that make up the Chinese Zodiac calendar are images of various animals. The Chinese have been using this 12 year cycle for dating the years since ancient times. Unlike the western linear idea of time the Chinese lunar calendar represents a cyclical concept of time.

Since the Chinese calendar is based on the cycles of the moon it is known as a lunar calendar and works absolutely opposite to that of the western solar calendar. On comparing the Chinese New Year to the western one we find that it begins somewhere close to the end of January and beginning of February.

The present day China even now stick to the lunar calendar for its traditional events and festivities though officially it had adopted the western calendar by 1911. To give an example the Chinese New Year is still celebrated as per the lunar calendar. The calendars which are printed in China today show both lunar and solar dates.

The Chinese followed the idea of accepted folk tradition of representing each year physically with some animal. A particular animal will represent a particular year. Thus twelve years show twelve different animals with their own characteristics. As the calendar is cyclic the same animals keep coming back once in every twelve years.

The animals that represented the years took on the meaning that is similar to the concept of monthly or daily horoscopes in the west. The only difference was that the Chinese zodiac symbols determined were for the entire year. Hence people born in the year of a particular animal were believed to have the characteristics associated with that animal.

You may take the personality traits which the Chinese zodiac symbols depict seriously or not seriously but they do have another part to play.

The other role which the Chinese calendar performs is to show the age of a person. By knowing the animal sign of an individual you can calculate the age applying basic math and common sense.

As the Chinese legend goes once there was a fight between twelve animals to enforce some control over the cycle of years. Finally it was decided that there would be a race of the animals in which the animal to reach the opposite bank of the river would lead and the rest would follow as they finish. Thus the practice of representing each year with one animal sign came into being.

In the race the Ox took the lead and the rat rode on the Ox's back. As the Ox almost reached the opposite bank, the rat being crafty jumped off the Ox's back on the bank and got the first place. So the rat leads the cycle of year till today with the ox being the second. The last is the pig to depict the last month. - 30294

About the Author:

Chinese Calligraphic Signs And Decoration

By John Chan

That the Chinese people have innate talent combined with inborn aesthetics is visible in the Chinese calligraphy. Hence, as a result, we find Chinese calligraphic silk rolls hanging in the studies of intellectuals who have refined knowledge about the history of Chinese calligraphy.

Chinese calligraphy is an art of high prestigious value in the eyes of Chinese people. One often sees two columns of calligraphic scrolls hanging at the entrances of houses in order to enhance the beauty of any decor. These scrolls are basically long pieces of paper with Chinese inscriptions on it.

Doorways of many Chinese houses have these Chinese calligraphic scrolls which contain specific Chinese symbols that are based on some concepts and philosophy. Chinese calligraphic scrolls that have wishes for a good New Year ahead written on them are the most common of all. Other variations involve name plates that bear the name of the resident of the house.

When it's the question of the artistic brilliance of Chinese calligraphy, it stands on the top undeniably. The Chinese were known to be experts with the brush and the volumes of Chinese calligraphic symbols are a proof of their craftsmanship.

The complete collection of calligraphic symbols is observed in hand painted works of art. However, there is such uniqueness in the craftsmanship that no two symbols in the calligraphy appear same.

In modern age, the whole world has developed a special liking for these marvelous Chinese calligraphic symbols. Many people have begun utilizing Chinese calligraphic symbols in interior decorations and as fashion commodities like pendants and necklaces.

That the Chinese artistry is timeless and priceless can be seen by the growing popularity of Chinese calligraphic symbols. These symbols that were developed at a time dated much before and are so aesthetically genuine that they even appeal to people who are unaware of the language itself. This is the most amazing feature of these Chinese calligraphic symbols.

Chinese calligraphy requires concentration for better understanding of its meaning and to appreciate it more. Its beauty lies in the fact that it balances both form and function with precision. On one hand, these calligraphic symbols have great artistic skill which makes it look beautiful and on the other hand they also serve as modes of communication.

Besides serving both the purposes of form and function beautifully, these Chinese calligraphic symbols have talented craftsmen and skilful people practicing the art of calligraphy with their brushes. All these factors jointly make Chinese calligraphic symbols an honorable collection, something to be proud of by the Chinese. - 30294

About the Author:

Why Are People Still Choosing Laptops?

By Doug Thomas

Laptops are everywhere. Whether in business or personal situations, they are gaining more and more popularity. Somehow the compact and convenient nature of these computers has convinced people to spend the extra money that laptops cost. The question then becomes: is that really enough to justify the added price?

The affordability of the computer in question isn't something that should be taken lightly, given the current economic crisis. So if the only feature that recommends laptops over desktops is portability, then shouldn't you choose the one that won't break the budget?

Desktops have a number of beneficial features. For example, they are designed to be extremely modular which means you can set them up to meet your exact needs. This way, whether you are processing lots of videos or just want to play the high-end games, you can easily add the RAM or graphics cards that you need. You can also limit yourself to a very affordable computer if you just want to use it for social networking or Web browsing.

Laptops can be more difficult to upgrade and customize. Add to that their keyboards and touchpads that many people don't like using, and you can see some possible drawbacks to these systems. So why are they still gaining popularity? Is it really all about the convenience?

Right now we live in a very fast-paced world, and you can't underestimate the value of portability. Whether you use it for personal situations like social networking and word processing, or business situations like staying in touch with the company and accessing important documents, these laptops make it possible to do from almost anywhere.

Laptops continue to develop and they have advanced to the point that you can now get computers that are sleek and light and can easily be transported from place to place. Despite their small size, they often have all the processing power and graphical capabilities of their larger cousins.

It should also be pointed out that even though laptops have been (and are) more expensive than desktops, the prices have been steadily coming down. Technology continues to improve and manufacturers continue to find way to make their laptops more affordable.

There's no doubt that economic times are tough, but people will continue to go with laptops because they know the portability will give them an opportunity to be more productive. And if they can maintain those standards, they will have a better chance of pulling through these difficult times. They may cost a lot, but they can also be seen as a wise investment. - 30294

About the Author:

Precious Peace Symbol From China

By Lucy Xiu

China has a exclusive system of writing which is totally unfamiliar to us. They use characters rather than letters and these character symbols formulate concepts instead of words with phonetic value. There are about 47,035 characters in Chinese language in Chinese dictionary known as Kangxi dictionary. Though the character symbol which is called Hans is so large in number, they are mostly not used any more.

The concept of peace holds a very special place in the Chinese symbols. The peace as understood by Chinese character symbols is more of the feeling of contentment in the heart of the people rather than absence of war. They believe that this is what the human race is actually looking for.

The best thing the Chinese symbols offers to human race is the symbolization of peace. We all have our personal ways of getting peace. Some people will do something as absurd as bungee jumping if it gives peace where as some will repent in front of God to attain it. Chinese people also have their own way of achieving peace.

The peace symbol in China has tremendous value and you will see extensive use of this symbol in all walks of life in China. The Chinese have a strong belief that these symbols are a means of attracting the good thing in life. Peace is one thing which the whole human race is searching for all the time.

You may speculate how the Chinese people attempt to use this symbol of peace. The history of China shows plainly how the Chinese people as a nation used the peace symbol. They have used the symbol of peace by surrounding themselves with it to achieve peace in their own hearts rather than anything else.

The use of symbols is rather common in China to achieve good fortune as you will find the character of peace symbols are not the only ones to be used widely in China but many home, offices, shops and cars have good fortune and blessing symbols too.

Today the Chinese peace symbol is amongst the most popular characters used not only in China but also around the world. The west is particularly infatuated with Chinese symbols and peace being a universally appealing idea is right on top of the list.

The idea of peace is regarded as cool by the young people in the west in recent times. The formation of the symbols has a special attraction to the westerners as they appear to have style and philosophical significance. The shops in the west are selling the fashion garments and accessories with Chinese peace symbol in bulk to the people.

The Chinese peace symbol which the west has adopted has a totally different implication to what the traditional Chinese concept is which they have been following for past so many centuries. - 30294

About the Author:

Mahjong Games And The Rise Of The Online Board Games

By Roy Tzayag

Mah Jong games are one of the most intriguing trends on the online world today, and you as an Internet consumer must at least experience them once. The origin of those games go way back to early China, but the result is the thing that interests us, and the result is super, Mahjong is a fun game played by all ages and demographic types.

When you play a mahjong game you earn lots of advantages, those games are relaxing, challenging and some say they can even to improve your brain abilities. When searching on the web, the choices for mahjong games are almost endless. With the expansive market for such games many game developers are coming up with new mahjong games each and every day.

Those days you can locate many Mahjong games, from classic mahjong to safari mahjong, whatever you can think of, you will definitely find those games at any Mahjong portal, just be sure to find a one that has a nice layout and not too many ads, since many portals take advantage of the crowd's fascination to the game and draw them into sites that has no convenience at all and a non user friendly platform.

Mahjong games are especially ideal for families what want to bond together, as they all sit in front of the computer screen and locate the matching tiles, many families reported to increase their fun level by playing mahjong games regularly. You may also help your kids and encourage them playing those games to develop your young ones thinking and abilities with this educational and most important safe game for all ages.

So what is left for you as a devoted board fan, is finding your favorite mahjong niche and experience the magic that fascinated ancient Chinese people hundreds of years ago, you may be surprised as this game still fascinates and keeps being relevant without too many changes to the core play.

To conclude, Feel free browsing mahjong sites and as you may find many hours of pure fun and brain challenge for you and your family. - 30294

About the Author:

Beautiful Chinese Miao's Silver Necklaces And Their Crying Marriage

By Clare Liu

About 400 years ago, thousands upon thousands of Miao soldiers were sent to Hainan Island from mainland China. Today their descendants still reside in this island, and keep their unique tradition and culture quite well. Women like to adorn themselves with their handmade silver necklaces and batik clothing. Single young people start to seek for their lovers when they are only 16-18 years old. The tradition of dating and wedding among this Miao tribe is really funny.

Singing love songs is a good way to get to know each other. Usually the men first go outside, singing loudly. Hearing the songs, girls will come out and join in the singing. Sometimes they sing for a whole day until the evening. If a man finds his lover while singing, he would tell his parents to send a matchmaker to go to the girl's home to propose marriage.

The wedding is always held in lunar November or December when people have freed themselves from their busy farm work. On the wedding day, the groom together with his groomsmen and the matchmaker will go to the bride's home to bring his future wife back. A big colorful umbrella in the wedding is quite conspicuous. It's an important adornment for the wedding, and usually held by the groomsmen.

When they arrive to the gate of the girl's village, the matchmaker puts on a new set of clothes and a special hat. Then they set off firecrackers. Girls who wear beautiful silver necklaces in the village use a piece of rope or a branch to block the way to their village. Until they get some gifts from the matchmaker, they won't let the groom and his team into their village.

Eventually the groom and his team get to the village. The wedding is held at the girl's home in the evening. The matchmaker breaks some chopsticks to show that the new couple will stay together forever regardless anything happening in the future. The couple then swear to be together all their lives by taking a cup of wine.

The wedding lasts until late in the evening.

Crying loudly is an interesting thing happening in the wedding. Before the bride leaves for the groom's home, she will cry to show her reluctance to leave home. Her parents and siblings all cry together with her.

Pinching is another funny thing in Miao weddings. On the way to see the bride, the bride and the groom will be probably attacked by their ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends. The ex and their people run to pinch the bride and groom to show their jealousy or anger.

When the bride gets to the groom's home in the evening, she will send her bridesmaids to go to pinch the groom. And the bride is also pinched by the groomsmen.

Miao culture allows a man to live together with his wife's family after the wedding, if there is no boys in the family.

Hainan Island is one of the wonderful places you can't miss when you travel to China. It's called the Hawaii of Asia. Every year numerous tourists around the world come to this island to enjoy its beautiful scenery and gorgeous Miao silver necklaces. - 30294

About the Author:

Why Are People Still Choosing Laptops?

By Doug Thomas

Laptops have taken the larger share of the computer market these days and are still gaining popularity. Whether for business or personal use, the convenience of these machines has convinced people to purchase higher-priced laptops over the cheaper desktops. So the question should be: is convenience really enough to justify an added price?

The affordability of the computer in question isn't something that should be taken lightly, given the current economic crisis. So if the only feature that recommends laptops over desktops is portability, then shouldn't you choose the one that won't break the budget?

Desktops have a number of beneficial features. For example, they are designed to be extremely modular which means you can set them up to meet your exact needs. This way, whether you are processing lots of videos or just want to play the high-end games, you can easily add the RAM or graphics cards that you need. You can also limit yourself to a very affordable computer if you just want to use it for social networking or Web browsing.

Laptops can be difficult to upgrade. If you have something in mind, you will probably want to make sure the laptops offer it from the start. They also sometimes have uncomfortable keyboards and touchpads which make them awkward to use. So why are they so popular? It really seems like it's all about convenience.

In today's fast-paced business world, you can't underestimate the value of portability. Whether it is for personal or business reasons, people need to stay in constant contact with other and have the ability to do their work while on the road. Some people need to keep in touch with their social networks, others have to be able to access important business documents everywhere they go.

Laptops are evolving very quickly and have now reached the point where you can get some sleek and light and portable computers that can handle all your computing needs. Even though they are small, they still can offer all the processing power of their larger counterparts.

It does have to be said that while laptops have traditionally been more expensive than desktops, their prices have continued to come down. As technology continues to improve, there are more opportunities for manufacturers to create affordable laptops.

Economic times may be tough, but people are still choosing laptops because they know that laptops will help them remain productive. And if they can maintain certain standards, they have a better chance of pulling through harder times. If it is within the budget, a laptop can still be a wise investment. - 30294

About the Author:

Board Games Are Conquering The Net Along With The Classic Mahjong

By Roy Tzayag

Mah Jong games are one of the most intriguing trends on the online world today, and you as an Internet consumer must at least experience them once. The origin of those games go way back to early China, but the result is the thing that interests us, and the result is super, Mahjong is a fun game played by all ages and demographic types.

Playing those games have lots of advantages, some say are relaxing, challenging and many insist they can even to improve your thinking abilities. When searching on the web, the choices for mahjong games are almost endless. With the expansive market for such games many game developers are coming up with new mahjong games each day.

Today you can trace lots of Mahjong games, from solitaire mahjong to animals mahjong, whatever you can think of, you will definitely locate those games at any Mahjong site, try finding one that has a nice layout and not too many ads, since many portals take advantage of the crowd's fascination to the game and draw them into sites that has no convenience at all and a non user friendly control.

Mahjong games are especially ideal for families what want to bond together, as they all sit in front of the computer screen and locate the matching tiles, many families reported to increase their fun level by playing mahjong games regularly. You may also want to encourage your kids to play those games to develop your young ones thinking and brain with this educational and most important safe for all ages.

So what is left for you as a devoted online user, is finding your favorite mahjong game and experience the magic that fascinated ancient Chinese people many years ago, you may be surprised as this game still fascinates and keeps being relevant without too many changes to the core play.

To summarize, Feel free browsing mahjong portals and as you may find many hours of pure fun and brain challenge for you and your loved ones. - 30294

About the Author:

Tattoo Symbols From Ancient China

By John Chan

The timeless aesthetic appeal of Chinese tattoo symbols is the reason why their popularity continues to grow even today. The west has developed a new found interest with Chinese tattoo symbols even though the many people are unaware of their meanings.

The exotic symbols are so aesthetically appealing by themselves that people have used them for tattoos without even knowing what they stand for. This phenomenon is a common practice in the west. The youth, inspired by the television media seeks to get interesting Chinese tattoo symbols stamped on their body for life.

You should take care before you get a Chinese symbol engraved on your body without knowing its significance just for its aesthetic value. Anybody who has an understanding of Chinese tattoo meaning could easily understand what you have on your body which may be quite inappropriate. In such a case it could be embarrassing when people may stare and laugh at you.

Chinese tattoo symbols are an interesting and unconventional means of expression. Although the art of tattooing has been there in China for many centuries it is today that the Chinese tattoo symbols are receiving world wide acclaim. Ironically the practice of tattooing is not considered to be a very noble form of art in China.

It is a amazing fact that tattoo as a form of art was considered to be barbaric in ancient China. In spite of such feelings the tattoo artists had expressed their art in a most artistic and philosophical way and the symbols representing the tattoos mean many different things.

Why the Chinese regarded tattooing as an exception was the fact that these symbols were engraved on the bodies of the criminals in ancient times who were treated as outcasts. Now of course the perception has changed as Chinese tattooing has become so popular all over the world especially in the west.

Since most of the people who wish to get Chinese tattoo done on themselves and do not understand Chinese have found a new way to do get it done. They demand to get the names, ideas or concepts translated from other languages into Chinese tattoo. This in turn is not so difficult as Chinese tattoo symbols originate about 4000 years back and most of the things you desire can be found in these symbols.

Every concept is turned into a symbol of Chinese language which is extremely artistic. This is a scientifically developed art which consists of 70, 000 concepts and you will probably run out of ideas to translate concepts into Chinese symbol for tattooing purpose or otherwise. Thus you can be certain that any idea from any language can be successfully translated to Chinese symbol and still look equally pleasing.

Some people mistake conventional Chinese symbols to be the same as the script known as Kanji. The fact of the matter is that the Kanji although Chinese in origin was adopted and modified by the Japanese. Whereas the Chinese tattoo symbols that may even have a similar physical appearance can have drastically different meanings. - 30294

About the Author:

Buy Gold To Protect Yourself

By Garrett Strong

When you are trying to figure out how to buy gold or why you should buy gold, it is important to note several things. First, inflation is rearing its ugly head and governments won't stop until the dollar is completely devalued. Second, we are in the midst of major bailouts, layoffs, Ponzi schemes, and sky high unemployment.

Gold should be at the top of all investors lists right now. Just 8 years ago the gold price was at about $250/ounce. That price has steadily risen to over $1,100/ounce. For a one ounce gold coin there has been an increase of 400% in value. Are there any other investments out there making those returns, while at the same time being a hedge against inflation?

If you are going to argue that your paper investments (i.e. stocks, bonds, derivatives) made 400% returns, then you obviously aren't factoring in the falling dollar. Even though the Dow Jones is showing noticeable increases, it is quietly crashing under our noses and most people aren't even aware of it.

As the Dow peaks over 10,000 we are seeing a queit crash. How can this be? Many experts claim that we may see the Dow reach 20,000 and even 40,000. The problem is that even if the Dow goes to those levels, the dollar is losing value at an even faster pace.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the value of the dollar against a basket of currencies, has fallen below 76. This is very bad business for those invested in dollars. Many expert economists believe that by next year the USDX will fall to 65, and the next year it will fall to 55. Many even believe it will go as low as 40.

This is the real world and this collapse of the dollar is really happening. Gold and silver will be your hedge against inflation. The dollar as the world's reserve currency is coming to an end. In fact, the dollar may not even be around in five years.

This is the greatest bull market that the world has ever seen. Fiat paper currencies are being inflated all around the world, and we are in the middle of some very bad economic times. The unemployment rate is growing and our dollars are being evaporated into thin air.

The gold price is expected to reach $7,000/oz just to compensate for inflation. This bull market has just begun, and our government is going to do all they can to keep you uninformed. They will not promote gold and silver to citizens because if people get out of dollar related assets, as they should, then the dollar is doomed.

If you can afford gold bullion and silver bullion, then do so quickly. If you are like most then it may be unaffordable to buy gold bars or buy silver bars. A good alternative is to buy American Gold Eagle Coins or buy American Silver Eagle Coins.

God bless. - 30294

About the Author:

Chinese New Year Symbols

By Jenny Hung

Symbolism is a prominent phenomenon with very strong associations to the Chinese culture. Amongst the many aspects of the Chinese culture that revolves around the use of symbols is the event of the Chinese New Year.

The various unique symbols and rituals that are associated with the Chinese New Year have nothing to do with the solar calendar as the world follows. The event of Chinese New Year is not celebrated on the first of January, however, in the eyes of the Japanese people, these symbols have significant cultural and historical value.

The collection of the Chinese New Year symbols is surprisingly brilliant in representing profound meanings in an interesting visual fashion. This collection is a fine example of a balance between form and function which is an art on its own.

The unbeatable physical artistry of the Chinese New Year symbols is a proof of the region's artistic talents and beauty. Each comes with a specific meaning that gives us an insight of the beliefs and traditions of the people of China.

Identification of when exactly Chinese New Year lies in comparison to the Western New Year can be discussed now. The difference lies in the fact that the western world follows the solar calendar whereas the Chinese traditionally follow the lunar calendar.

As the name suggests, the lunar calendar is based on the revolutions of the moon. Most of the calendars hence printed in China have both the Gregorian as well as the Chinese lunar calendar dates. This makes it easier for the people to compare the dates and keep note of current trends.

The spirit is joyous and anticipation is for prosperity when the Chinese New Year arrives. This is why you will find the collection of Chinese New Year symbols to be very positive with regards to their meanings.

Flowers play a vital part in the symbols created for the Chinese New Year. Traditionally the Chinese had an affinity to utilize natural god-gifted products and so flowers were a perfect choice. The plum blossom and water narcissus are two of the most popular Chinese new year flower symbols.

Another important traditional New Year symbol is the hong-bao which is actually a lai-see envelope. This is an envelope consisting of money which is handed over to the kids by the elders of the family on the eve of the New Year. It is considered to be one of the Chinese New Year symbols. - 30294

About the Author:

Getting To Know Chinese Name Symbols

By Vicky liu

Chinese symbols have come a long way to discover a new found magnificence in modern western culture. Although the Chinese language has evolved into a far more formalized form of writing the ancient symbols that were initially used by the people continue to receive popularity.

The Chinese symbols served a dual purpose of being a means of communication for the people as well as expression of art. The major reason why these symbols still have a world wide appeal is because they are so beautiful and extremely simple form of expression.

The western world is going all out to accept Chinese symbols and it is becoming a hip and a fashionable thing to do these days. The most in demand are the name symbols. People are getting their names printed in form of Chinese symbols on posters or tattoos or pictures or on fashion clothing and accessories.

Once you are familiar which Chinese symbol stands for your name it is easy to get them on any article you desire. It has not only to do with fashion but it is about discovering your personality too. As long as you know what the symbols mean you can easily explain to others when asked.

For the non Chinese people these symbols represent beauty of their form and they want to adopt it in their life by having their names written in these symbols. Once done people use it as their personality logo for their own purposes.

The artistic expression behind these symbols is so fascinating that they are adopted and appreciated at any corner of the world without knowingrealizing what they mean. You should be careful only when you are using them to write your name as these symbols have specific meanings which have to match with your name.

Do not evaluate the symbols only by their artistic form and get them written for you as each symbol has its own precise meaning and it could become rather embarrassing if you get it done without knowing what it means.

Getting your name changed into Chinese symbol will not pose any problem as there are number of ways to get it done. Once the name is translated to Chinese however the sound of the name changes with it. It will be useless to try and pronounce your name in your own way as it will have no sense what so ever.

It is quite likely that people will imagine their names to sound same when it is translated into Chinese symbol which is not at all possible and it sounds quite different. What we don't understand is that it cannot be a direct conversion. Each of these symbols has different meaning and it will be these meanings that your name will depict after transformation. - 30294

About the Author:

Invest In Gold During Periods of Inflation

By Garrett Strong

Gold is the go to money in times of inflation and economic crisis. Gold is a hedge against inflation. If you are saying to yourself right now that gold is not money, and that it is just a shiny relic that people wear around their necks, then you are dead wrong.


Gold has been money for over 6,000 years. Gold and silver were the first forms of real money that met the requirements of sound money. Plato and Aristotle spoke of sound money to be

1. The ability to be durable. It must stand the test of time and not wither.

2. The ability to be portable. Good money needs to hold value in a small space.

3. The ability to be divisible. Real money should have the ability to be divided evenly and still hold its value. Also known as fungibility. Diamnonds are not fungible because each diamond has it's own value.

4. It must hold a rare value or quality.

Aristotle was aware of something about money that most people today would struggle to comprehend. Paper money has no value, and that is what Aristotle described in his qualities of money.

Paper is paper. It can be made on the spot and printed at will. Paper is neither rare or durable. The trust that we put into paper is the only thing giving it value at this point.

A piece of paper with ink stamped on it is essentially what our dollar bill is. That's all. If someone gave you some a sheet of paper to wash their car, it is the same thing as receiving a paper dollar. Ink is the only thing making a difference. Both are paper.

If someone gave you some oil, copper, silver, or gold in exchange for a pack of gum, then the transaction makes sense. Those are real assets. Someone's hard work and time went into producing those assets, so they hold a real value.

Our dollars become more worthless every day as our government prints dollars out of existence. A dollar collapse is happening in plain sight, yet few will recongnize the signs before it is too late. Gold and silver were used as the first real currency for this very reason. Gold and silver cannot be mass produced at will.


Gold and silver exploration companies have to survey and drill sites, and then they must mine the ore out of the ground. All of this takes energy and time. Only until relatively recently have governments used paper money as currency. It is important to not that there have been hundreds of paper currencies in history, and they all effectively went to zero.


Buying gold coins and silver coins are the only proven way to protect your assets during times of inflation. Gold will hold its value while paper money falls in value.


Not only is our dollar falling in value, but gold is in the middle of a 20 year bull market. The gold price is at an all time high of over $1,100/oz. People flock to gold in times of Inflation. Why do people do this? It's because gold can not be inflated. What does inflated even mean?

If you inflate a balloon, then the size gets bigger. Our dollars are experiencing the same such thing. If our government keeps printing money, then more money will be in circulation. You see higher prices because you have more dollars chasing the same amount of goods.

If you print more money then you have inflation, but inflation does not mean higher prices. Higher prices are the result of inflating the money supply. Basically, you should be diversifying out of dollars as soon as possible.

You should only be invested in gold bullion, silver bullion, gold coins, silver coins, and mining stocks over the next few years at least. India, China, Arab states, and several other countries are dumping dollars and buying gold. You decide if it's time to get invested in gold and silver.


God bless. - 30294

About the Author:

Why You Should Buy Gold

By Garrett Strong

It is important to note several things if you are wondering how to buy gold. First, as governments over print paper currencies around the world, we are all losing value by holding dollars. Second, we are experiencing criminal activity on Wall Street, and the manipulation of gold prices by our government to help sustain the dollar.

Gold should be at the top of all investors lists right now. Just 8 years ago the gold price was at about $250/ounce. That price has steadily risen to over $1,100/ounce. For a one ounce gold coin there has been an increase of 400% in value. Are there any other investments out there making those returns, while at the same time being a hedge against inflation?

If you are going to argue that your paper investments (i.e. stocks, bonds, derivatives) made 400% returns, then you obviously aren't factoring in the falling dollar. Even though the Dow Jones is showing noticeable increases, it is quietly crashing under our noses and most people aren't even aware of it.

You might be asking how the Dow could possibly be doing bad, but price it in gold and you will see. Even if the Dow got as high as 20,000 or higher, the value of your dollars would be crashing at a greater rate.

As the USDX falls below 76, there is suddenly the realization that the dollar will certainly be in trouble through the coming years. For those invested in dollar related assets it is time to get out. The USDX will most certainly fall to 65 next year like many economists are saying. Many experts believe that it will go as low as 40 in the next couple of years.

In a real life situation like this, there is only one safe have. Gold and silver are that safe haven. It is not a question of if the dollar will be knocked off the thrown as the reserve currency, but rather when.

We are smack dab in the middle of the greatest bull market in history. Never before have there been so many fiat paper currencies in the world, while at the same time governments inflating all of them in the middle of an economic storm like we are seeing.

A $7,000 gold price is not out of the question over the next few years. Some economists believe it has to go this high to compensate for inflation. The dollar is only being propped up by our faith in it, and that is why our government doesn't want you buying gold.

Inform yourself about gold bullion and silver bullion before the real rush comes into gold. If you cannot afford silver bars or gold bars, then look to buy American silver eagle coins or American gold eagle coins.

God bless. - 30294

About the Author:

China Tea Sets And Tea Customs: Finger Tapping

By David Cheng

Emperors first used authentic china tea sets thousands of years ago. At that time, certain tea-drinking customs came into play that are still respected to this day.

One of the customs is finger tapping, which amazes many who are new to the world of Chinese tea. It is a gesture that shows your respect to your host.

As the Chinese tea customs go, when tea is served, the guests should thank their host for the tea. However, many find it interesting that rather than say it, the Chinese simply tap the table with three of their fingers (the middle, index, and ring fingers). Each time you get your cup refilled, you repeat the gesture.

You may think this comes from some strange, mystical superstition. But really, this custom comes from a very real incident during the Qing dynasty.

At that time, the ruling emperor traveled all over the empire to see how everyday people were doing. He would go literally everywhere in the country. But he never missed a visit to the local tea house.

In one small village, the emperor and his entourage were greatly impressed at how the local tea house owner poured tea for his guests. They did it by leaning in an acrobatic way all around the table. The emperor decided he must try this technique himself.

Normally everyone would have to bow down to the emperor at first sight, and of course if the emperor ever served you tea you had to hank him in some way! But there was no way for them to bow down, because doing so would completely blow the emperor's cover.

Then, in a stroke of brilliance, one of the emperor's companions tapped his fingers on the table, representing the bow that was usually demanded.

And that's how this custom was started. This story spread all around the country, and before long everyone was doing the same thing. It was the latest addition to Chinese tea culture!

Next time you visit a Chinese tea house, try to observe the interesting finger tapping technique to quietly thank your host for their delicious Chinese tea and beautiful China tea sets! - 30294

About the Author:

privacy policy

Privacy Policy

The privacy of our visitors to this website is important to us.
At this website, we recognize that privacy of your personal information is important. Here is information on what types of personal information we receive and collect when you use and visit this website, and how we safeguard your information. We never sell your personal information to third parties.

Log Files
As with most other websites, we collect and use the data contained in log files. The information in the log files include your IP (internet protocol) address, your ISP (internet service provider, such as AOL or Shaw Cable), the browser you used to visit our site (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox), the time you visited our site and which pages you visited throughout our site.

Cookies and Web Beacons
We do use cookies to store information, such as your personal preferences when you visit our site. This could include only showing you a popup once in your visit, or the ability to login to some of our features, such as forums.

We also use third party advertisements on this website to support our site. Some of these advertisers may use technology such as cookies and web beacons when they advertise on our site, which will also send these advertisers (such as Google through the Google AdSense program) information including your IP address, your ISP , the browser you used to visit our site, and in some cases, whether you have Flash installed. This is generally used for geotargeting purposes (showing New York real estate ads to someone in New York, for example) or showing certain ads based on specific sites visited (such as showing cooking ads to someone who frequents cooking sites).

DoubleClick DART cookies
We also may use DART cookies for ad serving through Google’s DoubleClick, which places a cookie on your computer when you are browsing the web and visit a site using DoubleClick advertising (including some Google AdSense advertisements). This cookie is used to serve ads specific to you and your interests (”interest based targeting”). The ads served will be targeted based on your previous browsing history (For example, if you have been viewing sites about visiting Las Vegas, you may see Las Vegas hotel advertisements when viewing a non-related site, such as on a site about hockey). DART uses “non personally identifiable information”. It does NOT track personal information about you, such as your name, email address, physical address, telephone number, social security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers. You can opt-out of this ad serving on all sites using this advertising by visiting http://www.doubleclick.com/privacy/dart_adserving.aspx

You can choose to disable or selectively turn off our cookies or third-party cookies in your browser settings, or by managing preferences in programs such as Norton Internet Security. However, this can affect how you are able to interact with our site as well as other websites. This could include the inability to login to services or programs, such as logging into forums or accounts.

Deleting cookies does not mean you are permanently opted out of any advertising program. Unless you have settings that disallow cookies, the next time you visit a site running the advertisements, a new cookie will be added.

disclaimer

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this website is for general information
purposes only. The information is provided by this website and
while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct,
we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or
implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or
availability with respect to the website or the information, products,
services, or related graphics contained on the website for any
purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore
strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including
without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any
loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits
arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are
not under the control of this website.
We have no control over the nature, content and availability of
those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily
imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly.
However, this website takes no responsibility for, and will not
be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to
technical issues beyond our control.

contact us



Your Name
Your Email Address
Subject
Message
Image Verification
Please enter the text from the image
[ Refresh Image ] [ What's This? ]


Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here