Mei He
ESL 12
Describable essay
11/5/07
Interesting things in China
Friends, have you been in China? China lies on centre of Assia. It is a very large country and its history is long. Therefore, China have many interesting things.
New year's custom is very interesting! Especially on the New Year’s Eve, people must clean their houses thoroughly. This means that the family’s bad luck will be cleaned. If you owe other people money, you should try to return it. if you owe debt in the New year before, people think that they will have debt in the next year. Children also must buy new clothes to wear in New Year. And in many homes, people burn incense at home and in the temples to pay respects to ancestors and ask the gods for good health in the coming year.
Chinese people sent gifts are also very interesting. when people visit their relatives and friends, it is very important what kind of gifts sent what kind of people. When people visit friends, they generally buy some gifts that their friends love. For example, they sent clothes, shoes and handbag. When people visit their teachers, their will buy a bunch of flowers because the flowers represent thanks in China. When people visit elderly people, they will choose some lucky things as gifts. For example, they will send noodles because noodles mean that people have a long time if they eat it. But they never buy clocks as gifts for elderly people because the Chinese words are “sending clocks” sound almost the same as “sending you to your grave.” Therefore, clocks are sinister gifts.
The most interesting thing in China is that people choose lucky numbers to do something. In Chinese culture, money and wealth were deeply rooted in people’s mind. “8”is lucky number because “8”is "fa" in Chinese language. It sounds almost the same as 'to strike rich’. Therefore, Chinese people would rather pay more money to get number “8” for their apartments, phones and vehicle license plates. Especially in New Year, children get gifts from their parents and family in a red envelope with money of $8 or $80. But people don’t like the number “4” because “4” is “si” in China; it sounds the same as “die”. Therefore, people don’t like to choose the number “4” to do something.
There are many interested things in China. But I think that the most interested things are New year's customs, gift giving, and luncky number because they represent Chinese customs.
Mei He
Chinese cultures
China is a very large country; different places have different cultures and customs. I lived in the south of China. There are many interesting customs in my hometown. I will introduce three interested things about Chinese superstition---- what something do people do in the Eve of the New Year, what gift is good for people and what numbers do people like.
The Chinese New Year is the last day of December of the lunar calendar. The eve of the New Year, people must clean their houses thoroughly. This means that the family’s bad luck will be cleaned. If you owe other people money, you should try to return it. if you owe debt in the New year before, people think that they will have debt in the next year. Children also must buy new clothes to wear in the New Year. And in many homes, people burn incense at home and in the temples to pay respects to ancestors and ask the gods for good health in the coming year.
Gifts are very important when people visit their relatives and friends. But no all stuff can as gift. Generally, sending gifts depend on different people to send different gifts. For example, when you visit a friend, you can buy some stuff that you friend love. When you visit your teacher, you should buy a bunch of flowers. When you visit elderly people, you can choose some lucky things as gifts. But you can’t absolutely buy clocks as gifts for elderly people because the Chinese words for “sending clocks” sound almost the same as “sending you to your grave.” Therefore, clocks are sinister gifts to people.
The most interesting is that people choose the numbers. In Chinese culture, money and wealth were deeply rooted in people’s mind. “8”is luck’s number because “8”is "fa" sounds almost the same as 'to strike rich’. Therefore, you are not surprising when you see Chinese people would rather pay more money to get number “8” for their apartments, phones and vehicle license plates. Especially in New Year, children get gift from their parents and family in the red envelope with money of $8 or $80. But people don’t like number “4” because “4” is “si” in China; it sounds the same as “die. Therefore, people don’t like to visit friends in date of 4 every month.
The New Year is the most big guest holiday in China. People is very inters tested in Superstitions in the New Year. Especially People very pay attention Eve of the New Year, send gift and numbers choice because it represents Chinese a culture.
Comments:
Dr. Meloni - The second paragraph should focus more on gifts. I think you need a new title.