TANG SONG

Level of interest:
1. (most) Pictures and Art




http://www.gardenplus.com.hk/eshop/index.php?cPath=73_87&osCsid=jqhmhvucnamftv
http://gemssty.com/2006/09/06/beijing-olympics-2008-pictograms/

At first, I thought chinese art was just like mountains, lakes, and old men with weird looking hats, wearing their traditional clothes; however, I was fascinated by how Chinese art emerged from merely simple drawings, with lines and circles representing the sun, river, fish and all sorts. But later on, people started to draw the mountains with different textures, and sceneries and such. Maybe it was because of the Daoist and Confucius values which changed the chinese people's view towards life of peacefulness, and the beauty of art.

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/east-asian-art/chinese-painters.htm#tang
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jcarpent/chinese_painting_1.htm


2. Great Inventions


http://www.absolutechinatours.com/china-travel/Four-Inventions.html


Currently, Japan is leading the world in technological wise; however, it was actually the Chinese who first invented things that was useful and helped further development. Those inventions made in China are: compass, Gun powder, Paper Making, Printing. All these great inventions are something the Chinese people are always really proud of, and I feel that it is the Chinese who helped China, and other country to improve in their economy.

http://www.absolutechinatours.com/china-travel/Four-Inventions.html
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/focus/inventions.htm


3. Chinese Kung Fu



http://www.shifuyanlei.co.uk/qigongkungfu.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaJzuEWVvX4&feature=player_embedded

Sometimes it makes me wonder why Kung Fu was 'invented'. At first, I thought it was simply a form of dance/exercise, but it is surprising to know that sometimes Kung Fu helps relieve stress, preserve health and prolong life. It helps enhance the flow of one's qi (energy). I've done a little bit of Kung Fu during my PE course, and it's fun, but strange. Still, it's interesting! It requires a lot of focus etc... Kung Fu can also be related to the Confucian concept of cultivating one's spirit and Taoist's concept of maintaining peacefulness. Overall, it's unique and fun.

http://www.kungfu-zuerich.ch/e/kung_fu/kung-fu-abc.html
http://www.shifuyanlei.co.uk/qigongkungfu.html

4. Calligraphy


http://www.xabusiness.com/chinese-calligraphy/cc-0009-chinese-paintings.htm


http://www.ursispaltenstein.ch/blog/weblog.php?/weblog/2005/07/


Chinese calligraphy is really unique, and it's different from any other forms of writing you can find in the world. There are many different types of writings in calligraphy, but the most interesting and special one is the pictograms. Using pictures to write characters, then later forming the characters we see today; thus, I would call calligraphy a form of art. Calligraphy is also a way of showing one's emotions and creativity. The equipments needed are the xuan papers, brushes, and so on-- it is told that the emotion of the painting can depend on the thickness of the brush. I found that really interesting.

http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_artqa/2004-02/04/content_45863.htm
http://www.chinavoc.com/arts/calligraphy/origin.asp
http://www.asianartmall.com/calligraphyarticle.htm




5. (least)

Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj13KU3SAvE&feature=player_embedded


http://www.goodorient.com/blog/?tag=gu-zheng

Knowing that China invented several different string instruments, such as the lute, suona (an instrument used to show joy or sadness), drums (large drum, small drum) and all sorts. Most of the instruments are known to be able to convey one's emotion, and if all of the instruments are joined together to form a performance, the variety of those instruments makes the sound rich and beautiful.

http://www.goodorient.com/blog/?tag=gu-zheng