Post by Prometheus on Feb 5, 2021 4:46:23 GMT
gōngxǐfācái - pronounced gong (long o) shee fah ts-eye
This is the traditional greeting at Spring Festival AKA Chinese New Year. Many Chinese will tell you that it means "Happy New Year" but exactly none of those words appear in the sentence. Some might translate it as "Have a prosperous New Year." That's a bit closer. The literal translation is "Greetings. Make lots of money, money."
"Money, money"
It's the core of Chinese culture. I have often explained, "If you take every stereotype you know about Jews and money and multiply by ten, you are still not even scratching the scratch when it comes to the Chinese and money."
Apologists might tell you that its a new phenomenon brought on by China's expanding economy, but these traditions date back hundreds and even thousands of years.
I certainly can't bring up every reference but I'll try to cover enough so that you get the idea. It's a big topic so let's get started.
The number 8
8 is THE lucky number in China. The Chinese word for 8 is ba which rhymes with fa which means "make lots of money"... the same fa in gōngxǐfācái.
"Money, money"
It's the core of Chinese culture. I have often explained, "If you take every stereotype you know about Jews and money and multiply by ten, you are still not even scratching the scratch when it comes to the Chinese and money."
Apologists might tell you that its a new phenomenon brought on by China's expanding economy, but these traditions date back hundreds and even thousands of years.
I certainly can't bring up every reference but I'll try to cover enough so that you get the idea. It's a big topic so let's get started.
The number 8
8 is THE lucky number in China. The Chinese word for 8 is ba which rhymes with fa which means "make lots of money"... the same fa in gōngxǐfācái.
Chinese people will actually spend extra money to have multiple 8's in their phone numbers or on their license plates. Floors in apartment and office buildings that have "8" in them will sell for a premium and fill up quickly
The Summer Olympics in China opened at precisely 08:08:08 on 8/8 in the year 2008
A stylized version of the character xi (above) slightly resembles the number 8 and when doubled (88) represents the character meaning "Double Happiness."
The English phrase, "Bye bye" is often used in China, but the pronunciation is closer to "bah bah" which is a homophone for 88. Text conversation between Chinese people will often end with each person typing "88"... good-bye and I wish you lots of wealth!
Other symbols of good luck
The Summer Olympics in China opened at precisely 08:08:08 on 8/8 in the year 2008
A stylized version of the character xi (above) slightly resembles the number 8 and when doubled (88) represents the character meaning "Double Happiness."
The English phrase, "Bye bye" is often used in China, but the pronunciation is closer to "bah bah" which is a homophone for 88. Text conversation between Chinese people will often end with each person typing "88"... good-bye and I wish you lots of wealth!
Other symbols of good luck
Cabbage. In the US, a wad of greenbacks might resemble cabbage and therefore a slang reference for money is "cabbage." However, in China, the word for cabbage is "cài" which is a near homophone for the "cái" that means "money". Therefore, statues of heads of cabbage are often given as gifts to people who are opening a new business venture and the eating of cabbage features prominently in Chinese culture.
The color red is always lucky and "lucky" in China is always related to wealth. The 100 CNY note in China is red. Gifts of money - the only gifts that really count - are given in red envelopes. Children at Spring Festival look forward to receiving lots of red envelopes. Red envelopes are also expected at weddings. 800 CNY is always a good amount.
The color red is always lucky and "lucky" in China is always related to wealth. The 100 CNY note in China is red. Gifts of money - the only gifts that really count - are given in red envelopes. Children at Spring Festival look forward to receiving lots of red envelopes. Red envelopes are also expected at weddings. 800 CNY is always a good amount.
In front of most large bank branches in China, you will see two large statues of lions or "Fu Dogs." One will have its mouth open and the other will have its mouth closed. This is a symbol of keeping your money safe: "Money goes in and doesn't come out."
If you enter a Chinese shop, you might see a small statue of a frog sitting on a pile of coins with a coin in his mouth.
You might also see a Japanese "money cat" statue... the one with the waving arm beckoning you to give your money to the shop owner.
If you enter a Chinese shop, you might see a small statue of a frog sitting on a pile of coins with a coin in his mouth.
You might also see a Japanese "money cat" statue... the one with the waving arm beckoning you to give your money to the shop owner.
Dumplings and stuffed steamed buns are popular year-round but take on special significance during major holidays as the shape of dumplings resemble ancient Chinese gold ingots and the buns look like bags filled with money.
At Spring Festival, coins will be placed in several of the dumplings. The people who get those dumplings are supposed to be even luckier in the coming year.
The alchemical elements in the west are usually, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water (Do you remember?) but in China, they are Wood, Wind, Fire, Water, and Metal (usually represented as GOLD).
The location of moles on your face are directly related to your money-making ability and people will pay to have any "less than auspicious" moles removed.
All dream interpretations are related to money.
The location of moles on your face are directly related to your money-making ability and people will pay to have any "less than auspicious" moles removed.
All dream interpretations are related to money.
A toast in China will not be to your health but to your wealth.
Ask a Chinese girl if she is going to marry for love or money and she will most likely respond, "Love!" Then suggest that she falls in love with a farmer and she will ask you, "Why would I ever fall in love with a boy with no money?"
We say, "Don't count your chickens before the hatch" and the Chinese say, "Don't write a check until you deposit the cash."
"Can money buy happiness?" A Chinese person will answer, "Of course. How can you be happy without money to buy things?"
If you make it a statement: "Money can't buy happiness." they will assume that you are poor or just don't know where to shop.
In China (mostly in the cities) a boy must own a house and a car before being eligible for marriage. The two families will meet and the boy's family will eventually agree to how thick the red envelope will be that they give to the girl's parents as a "gift." If they can't agree on the amount, no marriage will take place and the girl will be encouraged to find a richer... excuse me... "more suitable" husband.
The boy's family will pay for all things related to the wedding which will most likely be dictated by the girl's family.
The boy's family will pay for all things related to the wedding which will most likely be dictated by the girl's family.
On the wedding night, traditional gifts will be left on the bed which signify, "Hope you have a rich son."
When Chinese people pray to their ancestors, they will burn piles of fake money, because even great grandma gotsta get paid!
There's so much more, but I think you get the picture and I need to make some lunch.
Talk to you later!
Talk to you later!
88!
![[cheers]](http://storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/engyBVslEdpmpmdnBwZQ.gif)