Zoe loves highlighting different cultures and what truly makes them unique. The Asian community is diverse and rich with culture and traditions. Here are some Korean, Filipino, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese traditions.
Korean- Baek-il
Baek-il is the celebration on the 100th day after a child is born. Years ago, in Korea, childhood diseases and the infant mortality rate were high. The high death rate was due to a lack of medical information, Korea's weather conditions, and many other childhood-related diseases. Parents did not take their children out of the house until 100 days after they were born to protect their children. On the 100th day, the family will celebrate, pray and eat food. Food such as rice, rice cakes, sea mustard soup, and wine are honored and used in this celebration. Today the healthcare system is more advanced, but parents still celebrate the holiday as a time of congratulations for the family.
Filipino- Pagmamano (Mano Po)
Instead of Filipino children greeting parents and grandparents with hugs and kisses, they take their elders’ hands and place them on their foreheads. This gesture is known as Pagmamano, which is an act of respect done to the elders. Filipino’s would say “Mano Po'' to ask for the elder’s hand. They also do this to receive an elder’s blessing. There is high respect for elders in Filipino culture, and pagmamano is just one form of expressing their gratitude and honor.
(Source: Medium)
Japanese- Oshichiya
On the seventh night after the baby’s birth, the parents reveal the baby’s name officially to the family. The father will draw the baby’s name and birthday on a white sheet of paper in Japanese calligraphy and post it on the wall. That same day the familycelebrates with dinner as this is the first celebration of the baby’s life after it has been born.
Indian- Holi
Holi is India’s most vivid, joyous festival, known as the festival of colors. Holi marks the beginning of spring and is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated in March according to the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna. The day before Holi, pyres are lit to symbolize the burning of evil spirits by throwing wood into bonfires. On the day of Holi, the streets and towns are red, green, yellow as people throw colored powder into the air and then splash the colored powder and water on each other in celebration.
(Source: Medium)
Chinese - Tea Ceremony
Chinese tea culture is imperative because tea production has impacted their economic development while tea consumption is an everyday practice. The main varieties of Chinese tea are white tea, black tea, green tea, dark tea, and yellow tea. They drink tea to quench their thirst, but they have tea tasting, tea art, and tea lore. Tea art is when while drinking, the attention is focused on the environment, music, interpersonal relationships, atmosphere, and infusing techniques.
Vietnamese - Ngay Day Thang
Ngay Day Thang is the baby's one-month anniversary. It is known for the first 100 days after the baby is born that the mother should rest, and on the 100th day, the celebration and feast should commence celebrating the baby. They eat boiled chicken, crabs, pork belly, hard-boiled eggs, sticky rice, and sweet bean dessert at the celebration. The mother and child also get money gifts.
Zoe has different curlfriends worldwide. There is so much more that encompasses Asian culture and the multiple traditions they celebrate. Healthy Roots Dolls believes representation matters for all people and how important it is for storybooks and toys to celebrate the beauty of our diversity. Asian culture is diverse and should be respected globally.
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FAQs
Asian traditions put special emphasis on family values and living with family. In Asian families, people like to support each other more often and it is a symbol of their bond of love and care for each other. In this way, they forward the family values, cultural values, and traditions to the next generation.
How long has Asian culture been around? ›
Early Chinese societies
Between 5000 and 4000 b.c.e., however, people began to develop agricultural societies along the banks of the Yellow River in modern-day China. Over the years these societies became more sophisticated, developing technologies and early forms of government.
What are 3 traditions in Chinese culture? ›
China has several traditional festivals that are celebrated all over the country and the most important festival in China is the new year(China celebrates its new year within 15 days to 25 days of January, Chinese new year is called spring year), Chinese mid-autumn festivals(Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of ...
What are 3 interesting facts about Asia? ›
Asia is the largest and most populous continent in the world. It is home to some of the oldest civilisations, and some of the most diverse cultures, languages, and religions. It is a continent of great economic and cultural importance.
What do Asians believe? ›
Asia is the largest and most populous continent and the birthplace of many religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism. All major religious traditions are practiced in the region and new forms are constantly emerging.
What makes Asia unique? ›
A land of extremes and contrasts, Asia is the largest and the most populous continent on Earth. It has the highest mountains and most of the longest rivers, highest plateaus, and largest deserts and plains of all the continents. Asia is also home to some of the world's oldest cultures.
Are there 51 or 48 countries in Asia? ›
There are 48 countries in Asia today, according to the United Nations. The full list is shown in the table below, with current population and subregion (based on the United Nations official statistics).
What is the oldest culture? ›
Around 4000 B.C., the earliest phase of the Sumerian culture arose as the oldest civilization in the Mesopotamia region, in what is now mostly Iraq.
Does China have 5000 years of history? ›
These oracle bones go back to 1200-1700 BCE (Li, 2002), which would make Chinese civilization 'only' 3200-3700 years old. This number is still extremely impressive, although it is more than a millennium short of the '5000 years' claim.
What language do Asians speak? ›
Asia is home to around 2,300 languages. They are spoken by around 4.46 billion people, with the most widely spoken Asian languages being Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Bengali, and Japanese.
It has nearly one-third of the world's total land area and is home to more than half of Earth's people. It also has impressive geographical features. It has Earth's highest point (Mount Everest) and lowest point (the Dead Sea). Asia also includes some of the world's wettest, driest, hottest, and coldest places.
What is Asia known for in history? ›
East Asia is home to some of the world's oldest civilizations. Chinese history stretches back more than four thousand years, and its early empires—some of the wealthiest in history—invented paper, movable type (in printing), gunpowder, and the compass.
What is the most popular Chinese tradition? ›
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is China's most important festival. It is also the most important celebration for families and a week of an official public holiday.
What are Chinese family traditions? ›
As an ancient saying goes, "The family is essential under Heaven."1 Traditional Chinese family virtues include: One should respect the elderly and love the young; a virtuous woman brings her husband good; a kind mother brings up children dutiful to the family; the younger brother should respect the elder brother and ...
What is the traditional dress of Asia? ›
1) Hanfu, Qipao/Cheongsam, and Changshan
The Qipao and Cheongsam both refer to the same thing - clothing for women - but the different words are used depending on the origin. Lastly, the Changshan is for men. The Hanfu traditionally has consisted of a robe or shirt for the upper body, paired with a pleated skirt below.
(Source: Medium)
(Source: Medium)