There are many Chinese dialects including Cantonese, Fukienese, Mandarin, and the Shanghai language. I speak Mandarin Chinese, which is China’s official national language. For example, Zhao Shang Hao means good morning in English. The foods I eat include tofu, cabbage, string beans, chicken, beef, noodles, dumplings, tomatoes, rice, etc. and I use chopsticks as a utensil in order to eat these foods. My diet mainly consists of a lot of vegetables and nothing really fried. Things that I wear include the typical American style consisting of jeans, a shirt or sweater, and socks. I don’t really have a religion or god. Some things I do for fun include playing football, lacrosse, and basketball, play the piano, or read. I am expected to do all my homework before having fun and to get good grades in all my classes. Now I will tell you about some Chinese beliefs and holidays.

The Chinese Zodiac is a dating method in which every year is assigned an animal name or "sign" according to a repeating cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. Therefore every twelve years, the same animal name or "sign" would reappear. According to Chinese legend, the twelve animals argued one day as to who was to head the cycle of the years. The gods were asked to decide and they held a contest: whoever was to reach the opposite bank of the river would be first, and the rest of the animals would receive their years according to their finishing spot. All the twelve animals gathered at the river bank and jumped in. The ox was unaware that the rat had jumped onto his back and as the ox was about to jump ashore to the finish line, the rat jumped off the ox's back, and won the race. The pig, which was very lazy, ended up last. That is why the rat is the first year of the animal cycle, the ox is the second, and the pig is last.

 

 

The Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the New Year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and gratitude. Deceased relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations of the family. During the Chinese New Year, there are many decorations including happy wishes written on red paper and foods are chosen distinctively for symbolizing things like good health, prosperity, happiness, etc. Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the first sign of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out. Prior to the festival, the house should be cleaned for good luck and fortune. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given little red envelopes with money inside for good fortune.

Chinese emperors thought they were real dragons and the sons of the heavens. The dragon is a symbol of imperial power. Traditionally the dragons are considered as the governors of rain showers in Chinese culture. They have the power to decide where and when to have rain showers. On the fifteenth day of the eighth moon of the lunar calendar, traditional Chinese families and their friends gather together and watch the moon and celebrate the Moon Festival. It is said that on this day in September the moon is fullest and most brilliant. Chinese people all around the world consume millions of Moon Cakes during this time, which are pastries with paste inside.

This is only a brief description of my cultural background, heritage, and the traditions that I follow. Thank you for listening to me and I have a little sample of what Chinese people eat.