Chinese Cultural Traditions

The various human ethnic races in our world have diverse cultural traditions. Some of which borders on superstition. Even within a race like say, the chinese, there are also differences in culture amongst the sub-ethnicity. Let's look at a few and the believes/superstition around it and what it may actually be intended.


We'll look at the Chinese first. Most old Chinese houses have some sort of step/block (or whatever it's called) at the main entrance. If you go to Beijing or any historical chinese city, and visit an historical building like say the forbidden city, you'll notice this at the doorway. Our grandfathers used to tell us kids not to step on it or ghost will look for us. Well actually, the reason for that block is for something more practical. It was to prevent rain water from coming into the building. In the past, that block used to be made of mud and so if we keep stepping on it, it would break up and hence no longer serve its function to prevent rain water from coming in. But our forefathers, in an attempt to stop us kids from stepping on it told us a ghost story.


In childbirth, the Chinese tradition was to have the mother rest at home (confinement) for 30 days. Hence our Chinese confinement service up to today is for 28 days starting 2 days from delivery assuming the mother comes home only on day 3. In the west, the mother is out and about by the 3rd day. Some western mothers are even at departmental stores shopping already. So why the marked difference? The real reason for the chinese was that in the past, the chinese people worked the fields. Hence the 30 days after delivery is the time when the mother can rest and not need to work the fields. But today we don't "work the fields" anymore. So actually, this so called tradition don't quite apply anymore. Presently the 2-3 months (some countries is 6 months) maternity leave given is for the mother to recuperate as well as look after the child. Of course, I'm all for the 2-3 months off especially to care for the child. But what I'm saying is that there is no reason the mother needs to be confined to bed (bedridden) the entire 1-2 months.


In Chinese weddings, depending on sub-ethnicity, we have bizarre practices like getting a virgin boy to jump on the newly wedded couple's bed and a host of other weird stuff. While I cannot comprehend why such elaborate things are done on a wedding ceremony, I believe it has to do with blessing the couple with a happy marriage and many children (sons in particular). Well.. I don't quite believe in this tradition as there are many couples who end up divorced not long after such an elaborate wedding. Personally I think it makes more sense to say some simple marriage vows and mean every word in it and not just for the sake of saying it. And I believe, most people don't take their vows seriously. They say it because the pastor or registrar tells them to. They are more focused on the elaborate wedding banquet out of "face" and this, in some instances become the very reason for the outfall in the relationship. Imagine a situation where the groom spends thousands on a wedding banquet and photography etc etc and ends up greatly in debt that he cannot afford to pay up. Get the picture?


These are just 3 of it. I'm not saying that we should stop it or go against it. It's individual choice actually. For me, it must make sense and if it's not inline with my personal views of things, then I probably will not follow it. But of course, I would still go with it if it isn't such a big deal but if I foresee that there will be problems if I am to follow it, then I'll can it. 


Just my 2 cents...