Wikipedia Biography of Chairman Mao

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mao_Zedong

The Long March

Great Leap Forward

Loss of Power

Chairman Mao Swims the Yangzi River (Regaining Power)

Cultural Revolution

A Tribute to Mao and His Accomplishments

Regardless of what you may think, Mao remains a symbol of China’s determination to achieve greatness. 

Song Meiling was beautiful and well-spoken, and was well-known to people around the world during the World War II as she and her husband rallied support from the allied governments, fought against the Japanese invaders, and tried stop the rise of the communists China.  They fought bravely, but a great number of communist sleeper spies planted in many parts of the government and military just got up joined the communists in their fight for power.  Song Qingling stayed in China. Song Meiling and Chiang Kai-shek and their nationalist loyalists retreated to the island of Taiwan to re-arm and re-take China.  It never happened. She died a recognized war hero in NYC at the age of 106 years old.

Here is her story.  An interesting read.

http://www.456fis.org/MADAME_CHIANG_KAI-SHEK.htm

Enjoy this Slide Show on  Lantern Festival.

http://www.slideshare.net/jamessteed/happy-lantern-festival

2010 Lantern Festival in Chengdu

Sending Your Wishes in the Sky in Taiwan

Here is how to make a simple Chinese lantern with red construction paper, pink paper, scissors, ruler, and tape.

People greet each other by saying “Congratulations to you”  (Gongxi ni) .  It is traditionally spoken to congratulate others for survival the monster that goes New Years Eve.  The firecrackers are traditionally set up to scare him away.  The phrase in often followed by “Good Fortune” (Fa cai).  “Gongxi Facai.”

With pingyin.

Cartoon with characters and English Translation.

With beautiful girl and beautiful voice.

Fireworks were outlawed more many years as extravagant and unsafe. Now with their new found wealth and freedom, Chinese go firecracker crazy.  Not just on this night. Eight days later, the money god is supposed to be going through, so business shoot them off again ALL DAY to attract his attention.  Ear muffs are in order.

Ningbo, China

Beijing, China

Symbolically, things are burned during sacrifices–here imitation money.  But it can be incense, as well as paper houses, cars, and cans of beer. (I kid you not.).

Imitation Money Seller in Thailand Explaining the Custom (See Paper Money)

Family Burning Money in the Backyard (Typical Can)

Burning Money at Temple Procession  (Imagine Breathing the Smoke)

On the Street, Not Just for Chinese New Years  (Taipei)

At Home in The Country

Here’s a Wikipedia Introduction to Chinese New Years and what is done on the each day of the two-week festival.