Qing Dao, historically known as Tsingtao, is a major city in eastern Shandong province, Eastern China with a population of over 8.715 million. Lying across the Shandong Peninsula, looking out to the Yellow Sea, Qingdao is a major seaport, naval base, and industrial centre.
Internationally, Qingdao is perhaps best known for its Tsingtao Brewery, founded by a German-British join venturein 1903, it produces Tsingtao Beer.
Language
The local accent (青岛话, pinyin qingdao hua) distinguishes the residents of the city from those of the surrounding Shandong province. Due to the efforts by the city government to promote standard Mandarin, most educated people can speak Mandarin and some English in addition to their native dialect, business and traffic signs in English are becoming more common.
Cuisine
Seafood is a typical delicacy of the coastal city, divided into two categories: "Great Seafood" including sea cucumbers, abalones, shark's fin, prawns, crabs, conch, and some big fish, and "Little Seafood" comprising squid, shrimps, octopus, oysters, razor clams, clams, periwinkles, yellow croakers, etc.The distinctive cuisine of the area is Lu Cai, the Shandong regional style.
Olympic Games
Along with Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Qingdao was the host city for the Olympic Sailing competitions which took place along the shoreline by the city. These events were hosted at the Qingdao International Sailing Centre and held in Fushan Bay, near the city's central business district.
Chinese Dragons
Chinese Dragons are legendary Mythological creatures. In Yin Yang terminology, a dragon is Yang to the Fenghuang's (Chinese Phoenix) Yin.
Dragons symbolise potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane and floods ( this could be useful! )
The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength and good luck. (Sounds good!!)
In Chinese daily language, excellent and outstanding people are compared to the dragon. ( that's us!!!)
DRAGON KING ( Longwang) Divine Rulers of the 4 Seas, weather and water.
There are 4 major Dragon Kings, representing each of the 4 seas. The East Sea ( East China Sea), The South Sea (South China Sea), The West Sea (Indian Ocean) and The North Sea. Because of this association they are seen as "in charge" of water related weather phenomenon.
The Gold 4 clawed dragon, as depicted on our boat, was typically for use by Imperial Nobility. It was a capital offence for anybody other than the Emperor to use the Gold 5 Clawed Dragon, using it was considered treason, punishable by execution of the offenders entire clan, crew. (Phew.....!!!)
The worship of The Dragon Kings as rulers of water and weather continues in many areas and is deeply ingrained in Chinese cultural traditions such as Chinese New Year Celebrations.
Fair Winds and Calm Waters to you all. Gx
No comments:
Post a Comment