7．Auspicious Culture (Part One)

Chinese people have very rich auspicious culture. Animals, plants, numbers, characters, natural phenomena, etc., are given auspicious meanings in the development of Chinese 5,000 years of history. People use these symbols to express their wishes for a happy and peaceful life.

Some animals, no matter real or imaginary, mean good luck in Chinese culture. In ancient China, the unicorn, the phoenix, the turtle and the dragon were considered as animals with most luck and spirituality. The turtle is the only real animal among these four auspicious animals. The unicorn, the phoenix, the turtle and the dragon represent peace, nobleness, long life and braveness respectively. The dragon and the phoenix symbolizing the emperor and empress can be found everywhere in the Forbidden City(紫禁城).

Chinese people believe some plants may also bring them good luck. The plum blossom, the orchid, the bamboo and the chrysanthemum are called the four gentlemen in flowers because they always represent good virtues, such as honesty, dignity, righteousness and so on.