China is one of the world's first civilizations. It is a vast country with a wide range of terrains and climates within it. The Chinese were the first to develop the compass, paper, porcelain and silk clothing. Their culture is shaped by festivals, customs and their particular value for the elements. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Chinese people have many Orthodox festivals that are an essential part of their life. “One of the most important festivals is the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year.” (Nelson np) This festival has been celebrated for over 3,000 years dating back to the Shang Dynasty. According to Chinese mythology, this celebration began when a village used the noise of firecrackers and drums to scare away a monster named Nian/Xi. “Spring Festival is a time to gather with family, exchange gifts and set off fireworks.” (Nelson np) In this festival the color red is used to scare Nian, the Chinese monster. This is why the color red has a certain meaning. Another of the Chinese festivals is the Lantern Festival, which is the last day of the Spring Festival. It became a festival about 2,000 years ago. This festival was influenced during the Han Dynasty and Song Dynasty. This celebration usually falls in February or March. “During this celebration thousands or millions of festive lanterns are lit and released into the atmosphere.” “lanterns are lit in honor of the Buddha” (Nelson np) Activities during this festival include guessing riddles, eating rice dumplings, lion dancing, and dragon dancing. These are just two of the many holidays celebrated in Chinese culture. Currently, Chinese customs are a combination of old-fashioned traditions and “a Westernized lifestyle. The two coexist as the traditional Ying Yang balance formula. (Chinese Culture, Traditions np)Nowadays there are only five official religions. These religions are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism. Any other illegal religion. Confucianism, also known as Ruism, was the official philosophy throughout much of imperial China's history, and mastery of Confucian texts was the primary criterion for entry into the imperial bureaucracy. The languages ​​are divided into seven main groups of dialects and their own alterations. . The official national language is Putonghua, also known as Standard Mandarin. Chinese philosophers, writers, and poets were highly respected and played a key role in preserving and promoting the culture of the empire. Some classical scholars, however, were known for their bold depictions of the lives of ordinary people, often to the chagrin of the authorities. At the beginning of the 20th century, most of the population was still illiterate. The arts are influenced by the country's rich spiritual and mystical history. Many musical instruments are an integral part of Chinese culture, including the flute-like xun and the guqin, which belongs to the zither family. Rice is not only a major food source in China; it is also an important element that has helped grow their company. Some foods considered lucky and symbolic are noodles which bring happiness and longevity. Dumplings and spring rolls bring richness. These are just a few of the many foods that have symbolic meaning. Family has always been extremely important in Chinese culture. For thousands of years, Chinese people have practiced loyalty to family, obedience to the father, and respect for ancestors. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay.