The Beauty of Folk Art: Making Your Own Chinese Paper Cuts and Hakka Paper Umbrellas iEARN Taiwan Team

TAIWAN 1 2 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16164639 Taiwan is a small island. Taiwan is about 11 times smaller than California. Taiwan is about 3 times smaller than Virginia. 1 2

Chinese Paper Cuts

Hakka Oil Paper Umbrellas

Hakka people represent about 20% of Taiwan’s population and the majority still live in the hills of Miaoli, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung Counties. Hakka people represent about 20% of Taiwan’s population and although you will find them all around the island, the majority still live in the hills of Miaoli, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung Counties.  The Hakka people are believed to originally be from the Central Chinese mountains, but the emigrated south to the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, and from there some made their way to Taiwan.  Although, they are similar to the Hoklo people who make up 70% of Taiwan’s population, they also differ in many ways and have very distinct clothing, architecture and cuisine as well as their own language. Blue Shirts http://kcginfo.kcg.gov.tw/Publish_Content.aspx?n=A22859B204186560&sms=6A6B57F5FE966020&s=8D016F8982417771&chapt=6926&sort=1 Lei Tea When you feel the need for a rest, duck into one of the many traditional tea houses that a located everywhere around the edge of the old town.  You might be in for a surprise at these tea houses because they won’t be serving green tea or oolong, the tea of choice in this area is called ‘lei’ tea.  The word ‘lei’ in Chinese means ‘to grind’ and that is exactly how this tea is made – by grinding together tea leaves with herbs, seeds, nuts and grains.  The result is a thick powdery liquid, the taste depends on your choice of ingredients, but the consistency is not unlike a slightly watery porridge.  The drink is said to have first been made during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, when Zhang Fei (a military general) was leading his troops into battle.  His troops were exhausted, so he turned to a herb doctor for help.  The doctor ground down tea leaves, ginger, rice and then boiled it with water to make it into a drink.  The drink strengthened the weak soldiers by providing them with a great source of energy and ‘lei’ tea was born. https://taiwanstories.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/experiencing-hakka-culture-in-beipu/ http://todaay.artemperor.tw/artworks/12272

Hakka Culture Blue Shirt What does the color of Hakka clothing (blue) symbolize? Blue Shirt Hakka people represent about 20% of Taiwan’s population and although you will find them all around the island, the majority still live in the hills of Miaoli, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung Counties.  The Hakka people are believed to originally be from the Central Chinese mountains, but the emigrated south to the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, and from there some made their way to Taiwan.  Although, they are similar to the Hoklo people who make up 70% of Taiwan’s population, they also differ in many ways and have very distinct clothing, architecture and cuisine as well as their own language. Blue Shirts http://kcginfo.kcg.gov.tw/Publish_Content.aspx?n=A22859B204186560&sms=6A6B57F5FE966020&s=8D016F8982417771&chapt=6926&sort=1 Lei Tea When you feel the need for a rest, duck into one of the many traditional tea houses that a located everywhere around the edge of the old town.  You might be in for a surprise at these tea houses because they won’t be serving green tea or oolong, the tea of choice in this area is called ‘lei’ tea.  The word ‘lei’ in Chinese means ‘to grind’ and that is exactly how this tea is made – by grinding together tea leaves with herbs, seeds, nuts and grains.  The result is a thick powdery liquid, the taste depends on your choice of ingredients, but the consistency is not unlike a slightly watery porridge.  The drink is said to have first been made during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, when Zhang Fei (a military general) was leading his troops into battle.  His troops were exhausted, so he turned to a herb doctor for help.  The doctor ground down tea leaves, ginger, rice and then boiled it with water to make it into a drink.  The drink strengthened the weak soldiers by providing them with a great source of energy and ‘lei’ tea was born. https://taiwanstories.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/experiencing-hakka-culture-in-beipu/ Respect for the heavens Desire for freedom

Hakka Culture Lei Tea for Hakka tea? What are the ingredients 擂 (lei)= grind Ground tea leaves with mixed nuts Hakka people represent about 20% of Taiwan’s population and although you will find them all around the island, the majority still live in the hills of Miaoli, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung Counties.  The Hakka people are believed to originally be from the Central Chinese mountains, but the emigrated south to the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, and from there some made their way to Taiwan.  Although, they are similar to the Hoklo people who make up 70% of Taiwan’s population, they also differ in many ways and have very distinct clothing, architecture and cuisine as well as their own language. Blue Shirts http://kcginfo.kcg.gov.tw/Publish_Content.aspx?n=A22859B204186560&sms=6A6B57F5FE966020&s=8D016F8982417771&chapt=6926&sort=1 Lei Tea When you feel the need for a rest, duck into one of the many traditional tea houses that a located everywhere around the edge of the old town.  You might be in for a surprise at these tea houses because they won’t be serving green tea or oolong, the tea of choice in this area is called ‘lei’ tea.  The word ‘lei’ in Chinese means ‘to grind’ and that is exactly how this tea is made – by grinding together tea leaves with herbs, seeds, nuts and grains.  The result is a thick powdery liquid, the taste depends on your choice of ingredients, but the consistency is not unlike a slightly watery porridge.  The drink is said to have first been made during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, when Zhang Fei (a military general) was leading his troops into battle.  His troops were exhausted, so he turned to a herb doctor for help.  The doctor ground down tea leaves, ginger, rice and then boiled it with water to make it into a drink.  The drink strengthened the weak soldiers by providing them with a great source of energy and ‘lei’ tea was born. https://taiwanstories.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/experiencing-hakka-culture-in-beipu/ Boiled tea leaves with coffee beans 3

Hakka Culture Oil Paper Umbrella Hakka people represent about 20% of Taiwan’s population and although you will find them all around the island, the majority still live in the hills of Miaoli, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung Counties.  The Hakka people are believed to originally be from the Central Chinese mountains, but the emigrated south to the provinces of Guangdong and Fujian, and from there some made their way to Taiwan.  Although, they are similar to the Hoklo people who make up 70% of Taiwan’s population, they also differ in many ways and have very distinct clothing, architecture and cuisine as well as their own language. Blue Shirts http://kcginfo.kcg.gov.tw/Publish_Content.aspx?n=A22859B204186560&sms=6A6B57F5FE966020&s=8D016F8982417771&chapt=6926&sort=1 Lei Tea When you feel the need for a rest, duck into one of the many traditional tea houses that a located everywhere around the edge of the old town.  You might be in for a surprise at these tea houses because they won’t be serving green tea or oolong, the tea of choice in this area is called ‘lei’ tea.  The word ‘lei’ in Chinese means ‘to grind’ and that is exactly how this tea is made – by grinding together tea leaves with herbs, seeds, nuts and grains.  The result is a thick powdery liquid, the taste depends on your choice of ingredients, but the consistency is not unlike a slightly watery porridge.  The drink is said to have first been made during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, when Zhang Fei (a military general) was leading his troops into battle.  His troops were exhausted, so he turned to a herb doctor for help.  The doctor ground down tea leaves, ginger, rice and then boiled it with water to make it into a drink.  The drink strengthened the weak soldiers by providing them with a great source of energy and ‘lei’ tea was born. https://taiwanstories.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/experiencing-hakka-culture-in-beipu/

傘 (san) = umbrella 人(ren)= a person https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002008 http://www.taiwan-travel-experience.com/paper-umbrella.html paper umbrellas are usually given as dowry, a blessing for the newlyweds to "give birth to a son soon

Chinese Paper-Cutting 中 國 剪 紙

Origin Chinese paper-cutting originated from ancient activities of worshipping ancestors and gods. It originated in the 6th century In the Ming and Qing dynasty (1368–1912), paper-cutting experienced its peak in development.

Uses Paper-cutting is used to decorate doors, windows and walls to show special meanings. They are sometimes referred to as chuāng huā (窗 花), window flowers or window paper-cuts

Uses The artworks are made of red paper, but other colors are also used. Normally paper-cutting artwork is used on festivals like Chinese New Year, weddings and birthdays. Papercuts always symbolize luck and happiness.

Popular Chinese Characters The most famous paper-cutting characters in Chinese are “福” (fú, meaning 'lucky') and “囍” (xǐ, meaning 'double happiness’). The popular characters for the Chinese New year are “福”, “春” (chun, meaning ‘the beginning of spring’), and “平安” (ping-an, meaning to be safe and well).

Process 1 Using Scissors: There are basic cut-outs, consisting of a single image, and symmetrical designs, that are usually created by some folding over and creasing, and then cutting a shape, so that when unfolded, it forms a symmetrical design. The paper cut outs are usually in an even number series of 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.

Process 2 Using Knives: Following a pattern, the artist uses a knife to cut the motif into the paper with a sharp knife, which is usually held vertically. Skilled crafters can even cut out different drawings freely without stopping.

Q & A To decorate doors, windows and walls to show special meanings Question 1 Why do Chinese make paper cuts? To decorate doors, windows and walls to show special meanings

Q & A The beginning of spring. Question 2 What is the meaning of this Chinese character ? The beginning of spring.

Q & A To be safe and well. Question 3 What is the meaning of this Chinese character ? To be safe and well.