Chinese Way of life

Student’s Name
Subject and Section
Professor's Name
Date
Chinese Way of Life
Several countries can be observed worldwide, and each of them is significantly unique. This uniqueness results from the several factors that differentiate one country from another, which assume beauty in their possession. These factors mostly circulate from within traditions to customs, or even their language and manner of writing. Just like how Korea and Japan are being popular today because of them being mainstream, it is rather interesting how much people look up to these countries. With that idea, four themes of the Chinese aspects will be discussed; cultural values, traditional Chinese medicine, moral education, and traditional beliefs and superstitions, as they will serve as the major aspects that caught my attention from the start until the present.
Cultural Values
According to Sun et al., the Chinese traditional culture has always been influenced by the profound religions within the country, some of which are Confucianism, Legalism, Taoism, Buddhism, and many more. Thus, these religions also manifested the cultural values passed down and reinterpreted until now by the Chinese society, and these are the face, harmony, and guanxi (579).
Face refers to how an individual claims himself/herself in terms of confidence and self-esteem. They also explained how this cultural value creates the characteristics of Chinese individuals who sought respect and prestige (Sun et al. 579). As Zhang & Cao relates, a person who has a strong presence tends to go to the path of money and wealth, regardless of their financial capacity or social status (340). This cultural value is a rather interesting idea for me since my perception of Chinese people and this description is the same, wherein a stereotypical perspective, Chinese people have a strong sense of business capabilities.
On the other hand, harmony is of different aspect. This refers to how an individual achieved inner peace of mind and be of equal footing to oppositions. This also explains how Chinese people tend to give back favors that they had received or are humble in times. Thus, harmony presents the social behavior of the Chinese Society and how they are greatly concerned about it (Sun et al. 579). Looking at this, I learned that giving back favors was normal for them and that they have the urge to coexist with others despite their differences, which makes me see them more in a better light.
While lastly would be guanxi can be translated as interpersonal connections. This, on the other hand, refers to the long-term relationship of two individuals that are limited and bounded by a contract. In simple terms, this implies the contractual relationship between individuals concerning trust and mutual commitment (Sun et al. 579). In other words, this refers to how connections are important for Chinese people, which also supports stereotypical claims that Chinese people have endless connections. Such interesting ideologies make my admiration for Chinese people deeper than before as I can observe how they are deeply committed to their cultural values, which shaped their culture of today.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
The healthcare system is also another aspect of Chinese tradition that impresses me as they have varied systems for medicines, which are highly regarded and effective. Lao et al. explained that the two basic foundations of the traditional Chinese medicines were the Yin-Yang theory and the five elements of what they also call Wu Xing. These two strengthen the idea that change is constant in humans and nature itself. They also described various medicines and techniques widely used in China, some of which are Chinese massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and more. At the same time, Chinese materia medica refers to the materials used in Chinese medicines and are categorized by their nature, effects, and flavor. The materials included are plants, animals, and minerals (126).
Tang et al. also explained that traditional Chinese medicines were founded due to the philosophical foundations of the country, such as Taoism and Confucianism (1939). They also supported the idea of Lao et al., where there is a connection between traditional Chinese medicine, Ying-Yang, and the five basic elements (126). Tang et al. then elaborated that the Yin in traditional Chinese medicines were categorized as materialistic aspects of an organism while the Yang was referred to it as its function. With this, it is also explained that health problems will occur when there is a disturbance between the balance of Yin and Yang. They also explained that diseases would also arise when individuals suffer from emotional and physical changes and negativity (1939).
Moral Education
Another major point for Chinese people would be their educational system which is highly regarded from different perspectives. According to Deng, the educational system of Chinese people in today's society is also influenced by the West, but at the same time, it is not. He explained that China is prideful of the educational theories that their ancestors brought on. He also discussed that Confucianism would soon resurge in education, and Chinese tradition would also provide an influence. This remained the idea that their historical significance and religion greatly influenced the educational system of Chinese people. Thus, he explained that Chinese Education would soon go back from where it started and bloom as it was before (564).
On the other hand, Gu relates to the Chinese moral, educational value as morally and ethically centered. Concerning the history of Chinese Education, he explained that this value is a double-edged sword for the system as it influences both positively and negatively. To elaborate, he presented that because of this value, citizens of China perceive education as an important part of their life which led to the prioritization of it. However, the disadvantage of it was the citizens were being hindered of their choice due to their close relationships with their clans which leads for them to follow what was necessarily instructed to them (173). In other words, Chinese people give too much attention to education that was provided for them that they neglect their desires and dreams.
In regards to this, Wong explained that Chinese families are rather greatly influenced by their Confucian values, implying that they emphasize their moral education more. He also explained how absolute authority is given to the parents in these families, which leads them to direct the path of their children, regardless of their children's opinions. He also explained that Chinese parents have high expectations of their children regarding education since they perceive their successful children as gracing their ancestors (1216). Connecting this to the highly regarded moral education in the Chinese system, sometimes, students ...