Alternative lifestyles in old China were not necessarily always a closeted affair.
Admit it. When you look at old photographs and portraits from the past, you think the subjects were nothing like you. They had no cars, no Net, and funny hairdos. Tradition-bound, their souls stagnated in a dark world yet to be enlightened by Queen Oprah. Thank goodness for social progress!
Ah, 1976, a simpler time. Who amongst you has the fullness of years to remember it? Hair was feathered and bottoms were belled. Barry Manilow was singing about writing the songs that made the world sing. Rocky was inspiring the autistic underdog in all of us, while Mother, Juggs & and Speedgave us race-related fodder for thought.
Everything in China was hunky-dory, too. I know. I picked up a copy of “China Pictorial 1976” that says so. Here ya go. You’re welcome.
- A long-ago lao wai relates the traditional Chinese approach to romance.
I have heard Sir Robert Hart tell an amusing incident which occurred in Peking. He said that the Chinese minister appointed to the court of Saint James came to call on him before setting out upon his journey. After conversing for some time he said:
"I should be glad to see Lady Hart. I believe it is customary in calling on a foreign gentleman to see his lady, is it not?"
"It is," said Sir Robert, "and I should be delighted to have you see her, but Lady Hart is in England with our children, and has not been here for twenty years."
"Ah, indeed, then perhaps I might see your second wife."
"That you might, if I had one. But the customs of our country do not allow us to have a second wife. Indeed they would imprison us if we were to have two wives."
Flags are immensely significant symbols. They express the shared image of the country, organization or community they signify, and can excite very strong emotions. As the Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Flag puts it regarding the current PRC fl ag, the aim is "enhancing citizens' consciousness of the State and promoting the spirit of patriotism". If you live or work in China, you will have seen the Chinese fl ag fl ying regularly from public buildings and elsewhere, especially around National Day, Labour Day last month and other major events. You will also be aware of the sensitivities surrounding the fl ags of other neighbouring countries and regions. The study of flags - known as "vexillology" from the Latin vexillum meaning flag or banner - can be a fascinating way to explore a country's history. In this article, we have brought together a selection of the fl ags used in last two hundred years in Imperial China, the Republican period, and the modern PRC, as well as some related topics. In this we have been greatly assisted by an excellent website, Flags of the World' http://fl agspot.net/flags.), whose China page is at http://www.crwfl ags.com/fotw/fl ags/cn-l0001.html. Many of the descriptions are based on commentary on this site, and we appreciate the permission from Mr. Rob Raeside, Director of ‘Flags of the World', to reproduce these here.
Introduction
The primary historical purpose of fl ags has always been military, used either by national forces or by lords and other lesser leaders in olden times. Flags were used to coordinate the actions of combatants during the confusion of battle, and to tell soldiers where to march, and where to rally. In addition, they were used for communication, at sea for example. In both cases, it makes sense that they are colourful and easy to recognize. Now, of course, fl ags typically represent a country, part of a country, an armed force, or an organisation, whether political, administrative, commercial, or even sporting. The Chinese for fl ag is 旗, "qi".
Tantra, by that name, derives from Vedic/Hindu religions, and was most common in Northern India, although it became mixed together with Southern Indian local religions such as the worship of Kali. A strange offshoot of it - is in the Tibetan mixed-religion sometimes called Tibetan Buddhism, but also referred to as Tibetan Lamaism.
Twenty thousand years ago wild horses roamed over the whole of Europe and Asia. Our prehistoric ancestors hunted them intensively as we have learned from the many caves discovered in the last hundred years, especially in France and Spain, where wall paintings abound. In most of the caves, pictures of horses far exceeded pictures of any other species, so we may assume that they were abundant. During this period there were comparatively few human beings and therefore posed little threat to the environment. These early people were very dependent upon nature for their survival.
In the course of time primitive agriculture and livestock rearing began to be practiced, and some of the animals that had previously been hunted became the enemies of the early farmers. Of all the wild creatures the horse was the one that gave them the most trouble. It broke into the enclosures and grazed on the crops raised on the hard won land and moreover the wild stallions were in the habit of taking with them the tame mares that were kept for meat. As time went on and agriculture spread, the population of humans and domestic cattle increased and the enclosing of more land meant that the wild horses were driven even further off into areas that were not suitable for cultivation.
Mongolia's annual Nadaam Festival is where the entire countries champions in the "Three Kingly Sports" - Archery, Wrestling and Horseracing - all come together in spectacular style. The competition is nationwide, with many villages and towns having their own local Nadaams to determine the local champions. Then each summer, the best of these congregate - as do much of the population of the entire country - to Ulan Bataar, for the national championships. This year, it is held in UB from 11th-12th July.
we may assume that they were abundant. During this period there were comparatively few human beings and therefore posed little threat to the environment. These early people were very dependent upon nature for their survival.
