Beliefs and Culture

World Culture and Belief System –

What do you know about me and China?

Sherry DuanColumbia University

Global Lives

What color is my country?

What is the Chinese Language?• Official language –

Mandarin/ Putonghua

3

7 varieties and more than 80

dialects!

Let’s learn Chinese!

•Hello, my name is Sherry.

•你好，我叫 Sherry。•Ni hao, wo jiao Sherry.

My Favorite Chinese Food

My Favorite Chinese Holiday

Belief System and Cultural Practice

History of the Chinese ZodiacBuddhism

Connection with nature and belief in animal protectors

Story: Buddha decided to call the animals on earth, but only 12 came

Each animal was assigned a year on the cycle; persons born into that year would acquire the personality traits assigned to that year

They were put in a race to decide the order of the cycle

Chinese Zodiac in Chinese Culture

• Friendship

• Marriage

Which one are you?RatYear of Birth: 1984, 1996, 2008Personality: Smart, Charming, Sociable & Adaptable

OxenYear of Birth: 1985, 1997, 2009Personality: Loyal, Strong, Reliable & Determined

TigerYear of Birth: 1986, 1998, 2010Personality: Ambitious, Confident, Leadership-like & Passionate

Which one are you?RabbitYear of Birth: 1987, 1999, 2011Personality: Trustworthy, Sociable, Care-taker & Modest

DragonYear of Birth: 1988, 2000, 2012Personality: Lucky, Artistic, Charismatic

SnakeYear of Birth: 1989, 2001, 2013Personality: Elegant, Decisive, Intelligent & Organized

Which one are you?HorseYear of Birth: 1990, 1999, 2011Personality: Adventurous, Courageous & Strong

SheepYear of Birth: 1991, 2000, 2012Personality: Warm, Sensitive & Calm

MonkeyYear of Birth: 1992, 2001, 2013Personality: Bright, Changeable & Bright

Which one are you?RoosterYear of Birth: 1993, 2005, 2017Personality: Honest, Confident, Diverse

DogYear of Birth: 1994, 2006, 2018Personality: Diligent, Sociable & Courageous & Loyal

PigYear of Birth: 1995, 2007, 2019Personality: Honorable, Sociable & Humorous

Thank you!

Guiding Questions• Which country do I come from?• What language do I speak? How do I say “hello”

in my mother tongue?• What food do I eat?• What is my country famous for? What are its

national symbols?• What holidays do I usually celebrate?