Acupuncture
Welcome to this edition of China Lifestyle Journeys, the series that brings you chats, discussions and insights on all aspects of Chinese living. We will cover festivals, food, traditions, customs and much, much more. I’m your host Jocelyn … and I’m Mat, just an English guy with lots of questions.
So, Mat, what’s your big question today?
(Mat)  
Hello and welcome back to another episode. Today, we're exploring the world of Chinese acupuncture, a traditional healing practice that I know almost nothing about. So Jocelyn, for someone like me who knows absolutely nothing about this acupuncture, where should we begin?
(Jocelyn) 
Well Mat, I can’t believe you know ‘absolutely nothing’ about acupuncture. I’m sure you know something. Let me ask you a question, have you ever tried acupuncture?
(Mat) 
Yeah, I tried it once, but that was about 15 years ago I think. I remember I had a muscle pain in my leg (I think from too much cycling), and someone recommended I try acupuncture, so I gave it a try.
(Jocelyn) 
OK, then. So you actually have some experience of acupuncture. Tell me what you remember about it.
(Mat) 
Well, all I can really remember is an old man got some very sharp needles, and he stuck them into my leg, then he got some cotton on the end of the needles, and he set fire to the cotton. So there was like fire and the needles got hot and then I moved my leg and it really hurt. That was it. I never tried it again.
(Jocelyn) 
Ah, I see. Well, that's just one experience (and it doesn’t sound so pleasant) but you have to understand that acupuncture is much more than just heating needles. Let’s start with the basics. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice that dates back over 2,000 years, and it has evolved into a highly refined and effective method of healing. It's based on the belief that the body has a network of energy pathways known as meridians, when the flow of energy, or qi, in these meridians becomes disrupted or blocked, illness or pain can occur.
(Mat) 
OK, so let’s stop here for a minute. I think you need to tell me more about these, what are they called, meridians and this qi thing.
(Jocelyn) 
Sure, let me explain. According to traditional Chinese medicine, qi is a kind of energy that flows through the body along these invisible pathways called meridians. And when this energy, ‘qi’, is flowing smoothly, the body is healthy, but if there is any kind of blockage or imbalance in the flow of qi, it can lead to illness or pain. So the main idea behind acupuncture is to stimulate specific points along these meridians, and these invisible lines, to unblock or rebalance the flow of qi in the body.
(Mat) 
I see, so the idea is to unblock and free the flow of this energy, called qi, in the body by stimulating specific points along these special lines, these invisible meridians. That sounds interesting. But if these meridians are invisible, how does an acupuncturist (I’m guessing that’s a word), how does an acupuncturist know where to put the needles?
(Jocelyn) 
That's a good question, Mat. Acupuncturists (yes, that is the right word for someone who does acupuncture), they are trained to locate these specific points along the meridians. And they use a combination of knowledge of the body's anatomy, many special techniques, and knowledge of the meridian system to find these points. These points are located on the surface of the body and are often connected to underlying structures, such as muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. Once the acupuncturist locates the correct points, they insert very fine needles into the skin at those points, to stimulate the flow of qi and promote healing. It's actually a very precise practice that requires a lot of knowledge and skill. And the skill is not so much about knowing how to put the needle in, it’s about knowing where to put the needle, finding the exact right spot, being able to locate the meridians. And it’s this that can take many years to learn.
(Mat) 
OK, so an acupuncturist is really an expert on the human body and these meridians and qi. But is acupuncture widely used today in China?
(Jocelyn)  
Yes, acupuncture is still widely used in China today and is considered an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine. Many people in China continue to use acupuncture as a form of healthcare and it’s often available in hospitals and clinics throughout the country. In recent years, acupuncture has also gained popularity in other parts of the world as a complementary or alternative form of medicine. So there is a growing body of scientific research that supports the effectiveness of acupuncture for a variety of conditions, and many people find it to be a safe and effective treatment option.
(Mat) 
OK, so it actually sounds like a good job, being an acupuncturist. So let’s say I wanted to become an acupuncturist, what would I need to study and how long would it take?
(Jocelyn) 
Actually there’s no real answer to this question, just like many traditional skills it can take a lifetime to be considered an expert, but most people start out by studying traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture techniques. This typically involves a formal education programme, which lasts for a few years and then you’d need a few years of practice and experience. So, after all you’ve learned today Mat, let me ask you. Are you willing to try acupuncture again? Will you give it another chance?
(Mat) 
Emm, I’ll try it again, but only if it doesn’t hurt like last time. And no fire this time!
(Jocelyn)
I can show you a very good place with expert acupuncturists who have many years of experience. I guarantee you’ll be quite impressed. It won’t hurt and there won’t be any fire!
(Mat) 
OK, that’s a deal. I’ll give it another go!
Well, that’s it for today. We hope you enjoyed this episode, thanks for listening. We hope to see you again next time. Until then, goodbye. Stay wise.

针灸是中医重要的诊疗手段，包括针法和灸法。

针法是用特制的金属针，按一定穴位，刺入患者体内，运用操作手法以达到治病的目的。

灸法是把燃烧着的艾绒，温灼穴位的皮肤表面，利用热刺激来治疗。

针灸的起源与人们的日常生活经验密切相关。远古时期，先民们偶然与一些尖硬物体如石头、荆棘等碰撞，会出现意想不到的疼痛减轻的现象。古人开始有意识地用一些尖利的石块来刺身体的某些部位，以减轻疼痛。后来，人们掌握了挖制、磨制技术，能够制作出一些比较精致的、适合于刺入身体以治疗疾病的石器。这种石器后来被称为砭石。砭石治病，最初主要用于刺破脓包溃疡，所以又被称为针石。《山海经》说：“有石如玉，可以为针”，是关于针石的早期记载。随着古人智慧和社会生产力的不断发展，针具逐渐发展成青铜针、铁针、金针、银针，直到如今用的不锈钢针。

灸法的起源要晚一些。因为灸法需要用到火，所以灸法产生于人类会使用火之后。先民们取火主要有钻木取火或敲击燧石取火两种形式，取火的时候往往以艾绒为引火材料。这种用艾绒点火的方法，为艾灸的发明提供了必要条件。

战国秦汉时期，针灸学实现了从实践经验向理论高度的深化。针刺工具由砭石、骨针、竹针发展到金属针，扩大了针灸疗法的适应范围。《左传》有记，扁鹊在给虢国太子治尸厥时，就使用了针砭、火灸的疗法。

后来，《黄帝内经》问世，这是是我国现存的中医学著作，奠定了针灸学理论基础。在《黄帝内经》中，又进一步把人体的主要经脉总结为12条，并对每条经脉的循行部位，以及经脉和疾病、治疗的关系进行了总结。经络学说认为，经络遍布于人体各部位，不仅分布在体表，而且进入体内与各脏腑相连接，并周而复始地循环运行，担负着运送全身气血，沟通身体内外的功能。在经络学说的基础上，又演化出腧穴的概念。腧穴是指脏腑经络之气注输于体表的部位，也是针灸、推拿等疗法主要的施术部位，俗称穴位。腧穴都处在经脉运行的径路上，分布于身体表面的特定部位，针灸这些部位，可经由经络对身体起刺激作用，进而调整人体内部的机能，增强防病能力。

中医认为，腧穴具有疏通作用，而且这种疏通作用是双向的。既可以从内通向外，反应病痛；也可以从外通向内，接受刺激，防治疾病。从这个意义上说，腧穴又是疾病的反应点和治疗的刺激点。

但并不是什么情况都适合通过针灸治疗。

针灸的部位，皮肤应当健康完整。当患者的皮肤出现破损或者细菌感染的时候，不能够进行针灸。此时针灸，反而会使得局部的炎症和病症加重。孕妇、高龄产妇等患者也不能够进行针灸，腰腹部的一些穴位有舒筋活络的作用，在妊娠期当中进行针灸，孕妇很容易出现流产的情况。儿童特别是婴幼儿，身体比较脆弱，面对针灸往往有恐惧心理，也不容易配合，所以儿童一般也不适合接受针灸治疗。

针灸是传统中医药学的重要组成部分，也是古代传统科学技术的宝贵遗产。最初它只是一种医疗手段，后来逐渐发展为一门学科，千百年来为大众健康发挥了重要作用。近些年，针灸技术发展迅速，针灸理论研究逐渐深化，在全球范围内也获得越来越广泛的认可与青睐。相信这项医疗技术将会继续以和而不同的多元化方式促进现代医学发展，服务全世界。

Hot Springs

Welcome to this edition of China Lifestyle Journeys, the series that brings you chats, discussions and insights on all aspects of Chinese living. We will cover festivals, food, traditions, customs and much, much more. I’m your host Jocelyn … and I’m Mat, just an English guy with lots of questions.

So, Mat, what’s your big question today?

(Mat)

Welcome back, listeners! Today we're talking about hot springs - and I have to say that I have a bit of a personal story to share about my experience with hot springs. A few years ago, I went to a hot spring in the mountains on a freezing cold winter day. It was freezing cold outside, but the water in hot spring was really warm. Everything was going well until I realised I had lost my towel! So there I was, in the hot spring, in the water, without a towel, without a gown, just my swimming shorts, trying to stay warm in the water. I was afraid to stand up, I thought I might freeze to death. So I guess my question is why would people want to do this in the middle of winter.

(Jocelyn)

Well, Mat, despite your unfortunate towel mishap, hot springs are popular all year round in China. Historically, in China, hot springs have been appreciated for their therapeutic and relaxation benefits for over 3,000 years. In fact, some of the earliest known written records about hot springs can be traced back to China's Shang Dynasty, which dates back to the 16th century BC. At that time, hot springs were believed to have supernatural powers and were considered a gift from the gods. People would travel long distances to soak in the waters, hoping to cure all sorts of ailments, from arthritis to skin diseases.

(Mat)

Now wait a second, I’m having my doubts already, are you trying to tell me that hot springs are magical? Because that night when I lost my towel, I don’t remember any magic, I just remember the cold air and the warm water. Supernatural powers? Are you sure?

(Jocelyn)

No Mat, hot springs are not magical in the literal sense. That belief was held centuries ago. Today, we understand that the benefits of hot springs are largely due to the presence of minerals and certain elements in the water, because the water is usually natural spring water from deep within the earth, so the water is very special, there is the heat and pressure of the water itself. The minerals in the water can have a positive impact on the skin, as well as on joint or muscle pain. And the heat and pressure can help to improve circulation, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. So while hot springs may not have supernatural powers, they definitely have some really impressive health benefits.

(Mat)

OK, so if someone wants to experience this for themselves, what are some of the most popular hot springs in China, and why are they well-known? And when is the best time of year to go? Surely it’s not in the middle of winter like when I went.

(Jocelyn)

There are many popular hot springs in China, but some of the most well-known are the Huaqing Hot Springs in Xi'an and the Dunhuang Hot Springs in Gansu. Each of these hot springs has its own unique features and benefits, such as mineral-rich waters or stunning natural surroundings. As for the best time to visit, it really depends on the location and climate. Generally speaking, spring and autumn are considered the best times to visit hot springs in China, as the weather is mild and pleasant. However, some hot springs are particularly enjoyable in winter, especially if you want to experience the contrast between the hot water and the cold air. Just don’t lose your towel or gown like you did, Mat.

(Mat)

So what are some tips or advice you would give to someone who is visiting a hot spring for the first time? Other than if it’s winter – don’t lose your towel.

(Jocelyn)

OK, if you're visiting a hot spring for the first time, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure you know the etiquette, such as showering before entering the hot spring. At most hot springs they have signs displaying the rules and etiquette – so that is usually easy to find out. As well as this, as you know Mat, it's also a good idea to bring a spare towel, maybe a gown or some flip-flops for your feet. And it’s really important to stay hydrated.  A lot of people don’t realise how important staying hydrated is in hot springs, they think that being in the water keeps them hydrated, but actually the high temperature of the water can cause excessive sweating, which can lead to dehydration – so drink plenty of water when you visit a hot spring.

Well, that’s it for today. We hope you enjoyed this episode, thanks for listening. We hope to see you again next time. Until then, goodbye. Stay wise.

远古时代，人们发现温泉、利用温泉首先从“泡汤”开始，是时“远近男女来此沐浴者，络绎不绝，近泉之地，夏无青草，冬无坚冰，解衣磅礴，水面风声”。 中国历史上温泉较大规模的利用，源于秦汉而盛于唐。唐太宗是位文韬武略兼备、文治武功齐具的皇帝。他的传奇经历也与温泉结下了不解之缘，早年他东征经过辽宁鞍山汤岗子温泉，亲率士兵泡温泉，展开“浴战活动”，以练兵和欢娱身心。唐后，在宋、元、明、清帝王和文人的推动下，温泉文化得到了进一步丰富和发展。宋真宗关心庐山“黄龙温泉”的建设，亲自赐其名为“灵阳净慧禅院”。宋仁宗赵祯南巡时曾到过湖北咸宁温泉沐浴。

温泉的利用与人们的日常生活、人类文明的进步息息相关，温泉文化有着明显的时代烙印，反映着地区特色、经济文化发展水平和人们对温泉的形成、特性、成分、功效的认识水平。古往今来，温泉文化作为中华文化的重要组成部分，凝聚了中华文化的许多精髓，主要包括重视生命质量的温泉养生保健文化、愉悦身心的温泉休闲文化、千姿百态的温泉景观文化以及温泉地名文化、温泉帝王文化、温泉宗教文化、温泉诗歌艺术文化、温泉民俗风情文化等。我国的温泉文化源远流长、灿烂辉煌，为世人所青睐。

摘自《温泉文化源远流长灿烂辉煌》

温泉是泉水的一种，特指从地下涌出的、泉口温度显著高于当地平均气温的地下水。温泉水含有丰富的微量元素和矿物质，如果合理使用，对人体有很多益处。温泉主要有天然温泉和人工温泉两种。天然温泉，顾名思义，就是直接涌出的、简单处理就可以使用的温泉。而人工温泉则是指虽然有地下水，但却不能直接使用，需要人工用钻井开采，因此又被称为“温泉井”。

温泉水和一般的纯净水有三个主要的区别：

首先，气味不同。因为温泉中含有各种元素，所以有些温泉会有异味。比如，含有硫磺的腾冲温泉，闻起来就会有臭鸡蛋的味道。不过这是正常现象。

其次，也因为温泉富含矿物质，浓度也比较高，所以浮力也比纯净水更大，人泡在水中会感觉到被“托”起来的感觉，非常舒服。

第三，温泉水的浓度和人的体液接近，手指脚趾泡久了也不容易起皱。

中国是世界上最早利用温泉水热资源的国家。中国大规模使用温泉的历史，起源于秦汉而盛于唐。唐太宗的传奇经历也与温泉结下不解之缘，早年他东征经过了辽宁鞍山汤岗子温泉，便亲率士兵泡温泉，展开“浴战活动”，以练兵和欢娱身心。唐太宗晚年积劳积虑、屡患风寒，很重视温泉水的使用。贞观十八年，他在骊山营建宫殿，命名为“汤泉宫”。贞观二十年，他又写了《温泉铭》，表达了用温泉水治风疾的愿望。

唐朝还设置了专门的温泉管理部门。《旧唐书》记载，京城昭应县的西边有温泉，一把手叫“温泉监”，属正七品下；二把手叫“温泉丞”，属从八品上。因为此时温泉资源开发较少，所以泡温泉一般是皇亲大臣们的特权，泡温泉是贵族身份的象征。如号称“天下第一温泉”的华清池，就是唐代皇家的行宫。

明清时期是温泉文化大发展的时代，温泉文化基本普及到了全国各个区域。泡温泉的活动也渐渐扩展到民间。李时珍在《本草纲目》中将我国的矿泉分为热泉、冷泉、甘泉、酸泉和苦泉，是我国最早的温泉分类学者。著名地理学家、旅行家徐霞客也到过不少温泉作实地考察记录。

温泉依温度之高低不同可分为三类：高于75℃者为高温温泉，介于40℃至75℃者为中温温泉，低于40℃者为低温温泉。我们常说的“泡”温泉，泡的一般都是中温温泉。

新中国成立以来，国家开发了许多天然温泉，目前我国天然温泉的数量已经超过3000个，人工温泉数量更多，是世界上温泉资源最丰富的国家之一。因此，现在很多地方都有了泡温泉的生活习惯。

不过，泡温泉也有一些注意事项和禁忌，需要我们了解。

泡温泉有让身体舒缓、促进排汗的作用。但高血压、心脏病患者长时间泡会血压下降导致头昏眼花甚至会跌倒。因此，老年人、心血管疾病患者在泡温泉之前要合理评估自己的健康状况，最好和家人相伴而行，如有不适应要立即上水静养。即使是身体健康的普通人，每次泡温泉最好也不超过20分钟。

同时，泡温泉的时候应该避免在水中打闹、起身的时候应当缓慢谨慎。

温泉池也不等于浴池，因此在泡温泉之前应当先洗澡。女士除了洗澡，还要卸妆后才可以进入温泉。这样做，一方面可以保护自己的皮肤，避免皮肤过敏。同时也维护了泉水质量，所以，进入温泉之后洗头、搓澡都是非常失礼的行为。

从古到今，从达官贵族到寻常百姓，泡温泉早已成为世界上最古老的休闲与养生的方式之一，这项活动之所以能够历久弥新，是因为人类的亲水天性，以及温泉天然的疗愈作用。不仅如此，文人墨客还为温泉写下千古名句，透过蒸腾的雾气，积淀已久的故事与文化被娓娓道来。

The Five Elements

Welcome to this edition of China Lifestyle Journeys, the series that brings you chats, discussions and insights on all aspects of Chinese living. We will cover festivals, food, traditions, customs and much, much more. I’m your host Jocelyn … and I’m Mat, just an English guy with lots of questions.

So, Mat, what’s your big question today?

(Mat)

Hello and welcome to another episode. Today, we'll be looking at something called the Five Elements. Now, I have to admit, I don't know much about the Five Elements, actually I’d even say that I know absolutely nothing about this. I don’t even know where to start with this episode Jocelyn, so I’m going to ask you to suggest a good starting point.

(Jocelyn)

OK, sure thing, Mat. So, in traditional Chinese culture, the Five Elements are the five basic substances that make up the universe: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each element is associated with certain qualities and characteristics, and together they form a system that helps to explain and understand the natural world. The Five Elements are also used in various Chinese practices, such as acupuncture, feng shui, and Chinese astrology. So, understanding the basics of the Five Elements can help us to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of traditional Chinese culture.

(Mat)

OK, so I understand so far, they are … five basic substances that make up the universe: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, and they're used in various Chinese aspects of Chinese culture, I guess, to help explain and understand the natural world. To me it sounds like something related to ancient natural philosophy, these elements that make up the universe, so what kind of importance do they play in our daily lives today?  

(Jocelyn)

That's a great question, Mat. The Five Elements play an important role in Chinese culture and are believed to be present in everything around us, including our bodies. So each element has its own unique characteristics and is associated with different organs, emotions, and even seasons. For example, wood is associated with the liver and the emotion of anger, fire is associated with the heart and emotion of joy, and earth is associated with the stomach and emotion of worry, metal is associated with the lungs and the emotion of grief, and water is associated with the kidneys and emotion of fear. By understanding these associations, we can use the Five Elements to help maintain balance and harmony in our daily lives.

(Mat)

Hang on, now I’m really confused, wood is associated with the liver AND anger and a season? It’s getting quite confusing already. Is there an easier way to look at this?

(Jocelyn)

OK, I understand how it seemed overwhelming at first, Mat. But basically, the Five Elements are a way to categorise and understand different aspects of the natural world, including our own bodies and emotions. Each element represents a group of related characteristics, such as colours, shapes, tastes, and seasons. By understanding the basic associations of each element, we can start to see patterns and connections in the world around us, and even in ourselves. So, while it may seem complex, the Five Elements can ultimately help us to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world we live in. 

(Mat)

I’m even more confused now. You’re telling me that each element represents a group of related characteristics, such as colours, shapes, tastes,  seasons AND parts of the body. I think I need some kind of real world example, maybe the way that Chinese people think about this in their daily lives, I think that would be quite helpful, because right now, I’m still quite confused.

(Jocelyn)

OK, Mat. let me put it another way for you. Let's take the example of a person who is feeling angry and irritable. According to the Five Elements, the emotion, anger is associated with the element of wood, which is also associated with the liver. So, a Chinese doctor might suggest that the person eat foods that are good for the liver, like leafy greens, and avoid foods that are bad for the liver, like alcohol. They might also suggest practicing certain exercises or meditations that are believed to help balance the liver and the emotions. So, in this way, the Five Elements can provide a framework for understanding and addressing issues in our daily lives, including physical and emotional health.

(Mat)

OK, that makes more sense. So does every Chinese person understand this complex relationship, the system of five elements and all the different emotions, foods, seasons, shapes, colours and everything like that? Does everyone understand that?

(Jocelyn)

Well, no not really. Not every Chinese person has a deep understanding of the Five Elements and how they relate to different aspects of life. However, the Five Elements are an important part of traditional Chinese culture and are widely used in practices such as Traditional Chinese Medicine or acupuncture. Many people in China may have a basic understanding of the Five Elements and how they relate to health, wellbeing, and the environment. And just like any cultural and traditional practice, there are people who have a deeper knowledge or expertise in the Five Elements and its applications, so if you visit a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, he or she will have a much better understanding of how all of this works.

(Mat)

OK, well I can honestly say that I’ve learned quite a lot in this episode, at the beginning I knew absolutely nothing but I think now I have some understanding of the five elements.

Well, that’s it for today. We hope you enjoyed this episode, thanks for listening. We hope to see you again next time. Until then, goodbye. Stay wise.

五行是指木、火、土、金、水五种元素，是中国古代哲学思想的重要内容。五行学说肇始于夏商之际，完善于春秋战国，影响持续至当今社会。它虽隶属于中国古代自然哲学的范畴，但在其发展过程中，却广泛地渗透到中国的社会制度、思想文化、自然科学与语言文字等各个领域。

五行的产生源自古人对中原地带五时气候特点和生化特点的抽象。这一观点目前被越来越多的人所关注与认可。最早记载“五行”学说的是夏商时期的《尚书·洪范》，这里不仅提到了构成万物的五种基本物质，还介绍了它们所具有的特点以及与之相联系的五种味道。至春秋时期，古代思想家们进一步探索这五行之间的关系，提出了“五行相克”的理论，到战国时期，继五行相克理论之后，又提出了五行相生。所谓五行相生，是指：木生火、火生土、土生金、金生水、水生木。

五行概念出现后，以“五”来规范认识自然万物以及人事制度等就变成一种模式。《尚书》所载的典章制度大多以五为律。从尧典开始就有五品、五典、五服、五礼、五刑等记载。在漫长的中国历史中，历代学者对五行在中国文化的发展中所发挥的作用虽然褒贬不一，但均无法否认它对中国文化的规范与影响。正如近代思想家梁启超所言，五行思想形成以后，“建以万斛狂澜之势，横领思想界之全部”。

摘自《五行与中国传统文化》

在一般的印象中，我们总觉得阴阳五行是神秘之学，是故弄玄虚。但阴阳五行正是古人对现实生活、生产经验的抽象概括。

远古时代，人们每天必然经历两种情况：早晨醒来，太阳升起，天空明亮；傍晚日落，天色渐暗，黑夜来临。周而复始，日复一日，年复一年。随着人类思维的发展，人们便用“阴”和“阳”的概念来概括两种截然相反的自然现象。后来，人们对“阳”和“阴”的含义又给予引申和丰富，使它们逐渐具有“天和地”、“男和女”、“君和臣”、“父和子”、“夫和妻”等等含义。

“五行”是指水、火、木、金、土五种物质。“五行”概念,源起于人们对“世界是什么构成的”这个问题的追问。五行说认为世界是由物质构成的。然后进一步说明是由水、火、木、金、土五种物质构成的。尽管这个说法在今天看来很不准确，但是五行说抛弃了鬼神观念，从朴素的唯物观出发，对客观存在的万物作出了抽象概括。在当时来说，这具有巨大的进步意义。

后来，思想家们进一步探索这五行之间的关系，提出了“五行相生”和“五行相克”的思想。

所谓五行相生，是指：木生火、火生土、土生金、金生水、水生木。木生火，这是我们都了解的常识。火燃烧以后会留下灰烬，灰烬属于土。金属矿藏大多埋在地下，因此说土生金。相对比较难理解的，应该是“金生水”。古人通常解释为：用金属制作的工具更容易掘土挖井而得到水。而所有的植物生长时都需要水，植物属于木类，所以说水生木。

克是“战胜”的意思。“五行相克”即指五行中的某一行可以战胜另一行，分别是：木克土、金克木、火克金、水克火、土克水。

五行相克也往往是从生活经验中得出的。植物种子最初埋在地下，当它发芽生长时就会冲破土地钻出地面，意味着木战胜了土。用金属工具可以更锋利地削砍植物，是金克木。金属矿石虽然十分坚硬，一旦在火上高温加热，便会熔为液态，这便是火克金。水能灭火，这是水克火。堆土可以挡住水流，俗话说“水来土掩”，这便是土克水。

由此可见，早期的五行学说，都是古人在现实生活、生产中获得的直观经验，既不神秘，也不是故弄玄虚。

到了战国，一些思想家对于阴阳五行学说进行了新的阐释，使之有了更丰富的含义，齐国人邹衍就是其中的代表人物，他提出“五德终始”学说，以此来解释人类社会的演变规律，在当时影响深远。

邹衍认为人类社会的发展演变符合“五行相克”规律。他把推动社会发展的动力称为“德”。这种动力可以分别用水、火、木、金、土表示，称为“五德”。而五行分别对应着五种颜色，分别是黑、赤、金、白、黄。社会的发展变化、王朝的兴替就是依照五行相克的次序，循环往复、终而复始进行的。

邹衍认为，王朝更替，上天必定先在民间降下一些征兆来。

黄帝统治天下时，上天让生活在泥土中的大蚯蚓和大蝼蛄出现。这表明“土”的力量强盛。

到了禹的时候，上天使草木在秋冬季节不凋零。这是“木”的力量发挥了作用。

商汤时期，上天降世的征兆是从河里捞出了兵器。这是“金”的力量。

等到周文王兴起，一些红色的乌鸦落在周人的祭坛上。这便是火的力量。

按照邹衍的学说，下一次替代周朝的王朝应为“水德”，以黑色为代表色。

秦始皇统一全国建立秦朝后，为了证明政治上的合法性，采纳了五行学说，对国家制度进行了大幅地修改：

秦始皇将一切官服、军服都改为黑色，因此后代有“秦人尚黑”的说法。同时，秦始皇还将黄河的名称改为“德水”。但这一切都没有改变秦朝的短命而亡的事实。

虽然阴阳五行常常与巫蛊（gu三声）、占卜等封建迷信活动联系起来，但是它却为古人理解万事万物之间的相互联系和作用关系提供了系统的思考方法。阴阳五行学说是中国古代传统哲学思想的结晶，它源于天象研究，却应用于人类生活，其中蕴含着古时候人们对于朴素真理的追求和对自然规则的敬畏。

Welcome to this edition of China Lifestyle Journeys, the series that brings you chats, discussions and insights on all aspects of Chinese living. We will cover festivals, food, traditions, customs and much, much more. I’m your host Jocelyn … and I’m Mat, just an English guy with lots of questions.
So, Mat, what’s your big question today?
(Mat) 
Hello and welcome back once again to another episode. Today we’re talking about the Dragon Boat Festival, a traditional holiday celebrated in China. Now, I can remember when I first came to China, I heard people talking about this festival and I remember thinking, what is this festival? Is it about a dragon in a boat? Is it a dragon and a boat or is it a boat in the style of a dragon? So, Jocelyn, can you answer this first question for me.
(Jocelyn) 
Yes, the Dragon Boat Festival, or Duānwǔjié, actually takes its name from special type of boat related to the festival. It’s long thin boat that looks like a dragon when it’s moving through the water. So that gives us the name dragon boat festival.
(Mat) 
So it’s a festival about boats, named after a type of boat? That doesn’t sound very traditional, surely there’s more to the story than a boat that looks like a dragon.
(Jocelyn) 
Yeah of course there is, let me tell you the rest of the story. So, let’s start with the basics. The holiday is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar (remember – the lunar calendar is not directly mapped to the Western calendar – and the dates move around a bit each year. The date is usually somewhere around late May or in June. It's a public holiday in China and is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the year. The festival has a long history dating back over 2,000 years, and it's traditionally been a time to honour the memory of a famous Chinese poet named Qu Yuan.
(Mat) 
Ah so it’s about a poet. Not about a boat. Or maybe it’s about a poet who had a boat and wrote poems about boating?
(Jocelyn) 
Okay, well that’s a good guess, but no, not really. Qu Yuan was a poet and politician who lived in ancient China during the Warring States period. He was a loyal patriot who was very vocal and active about creating a better and more honest society. Unfortunately, his ideas were not well received by the ruling powers, and he was eventually exiled from his home state of Chu (Chu is an old name for the part of China that is now the area around Hubei province). So while he was in exile, Qu Yuan wrote many famous poems, including one called "Li Sao," which means "Encountering Sorrow." And the poem expresses Qu Yuan's love for his homeland and his sadness at being separated from it.
(Mat) 
That's a really interesting story. But where does the boat come into the story? Did he escape on a boat or something like that?
(Jocelyn) 
Okay, nice idea, but not really. Well, according to the legend, when Qu Yuan learned that his homeland had been conquered by a neighbouring state, he drowned himself in the Miluo River as a form of protest (so in many ways it’s kind of a tragic story). The local people who admired him so much, raced their boats to save him, but they were too late. The hero of our story drowned in the river. To commemorate Qu Yuan's sacrifice, people began holding dragon boat races on the  anniversary of his death, which is believed to be the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (that’s why the festival falls on that date). And they also throw zongzi into the water to give Qu Yaun food, (these are sticky rice dumplings wrapped in leaves). And the people thought that the fish might eat those dumplings, so they wrapped them in bamboo leaves, just to stop the fish eating them.
(Mat) 
Wow, now that's really fascinating. Tell me more about these dumplings. What did you call them? Zongzi?
(Jocelyn) 
Well, they are made of sticky rice that has been stuffed with different fillings, like meat or sweet bean paste. Then, they are wrapped in bamboo leaves, tied with string and boiled or steamed for a while. And the result is a delicious and fragrant dumpling that is perfect for a meal or as a snack. There are many different styles of zongzi, such as the Cantonese-style zongzi, which are usually larger and filled with a variety of meats and vegetables. The northern-style zongzi are typically smaller and filled with red bean paste, dates, or other sweet fillings. So ‘zongzi’ as a snack is more about the shape, the style of cooking and the bamboo wrapping. Just like most Chinese snacks there’s quite a lot of regional variations in taste (sweet or salty), and ingredients – because obviously people in different regions have different food preferences, but everyone all over China enjoys zongzi in one form or another.
(Mat) 
That sounds really cool. So, it seems like the festival is still really important to Chinese people today.
(Jocelyn) 
Exactly, it's a very important cultural event, it's a time for people to come together with their families and friends. It's also a time to reflect on the importance of patriotism, loyalty, and the struggle for a better society.
(Mat) 
Well, it certainly sounds like a great celebration. Now I know a lot more about it and I can’t wait to get my teeth into some of those zongzi.
 
Well, that’s it for today. We hope you enjoyed this episode, thanks for listening. We hope to see you again next time. Until then, goodbye. Stay wise.
 
农历五月初五，是中华民族古老的传统节日——端午节。两千多年来，端午节逐渐成为集全民健身、防疫祛病、避瘟驱毒、祈求健康为主题的综合性节日，主要有祭祀屈原、纪念伍子胥、插艾蒿、挂菖蒲、喝雄黄酒、吃粽子、龙舟竞渡、除五毒、佩香囊等诸多习俗。在这其中，最具代表性，也是最富刺激性、最为壮观的，当属龙舟竞渡习俗。
龙舟竞渡，又称赛龙舟，每年在端午前后举行。各地持续时长差异较大，短则一日，长则月余，湖南沅陵则形成长达“三个‘半月’”的龙舟月格局。龙舟竞渡与端午节其它习俗彼此配合，形成完整的文化景象。比赛时，河面上，一只只龙舟你追我赶，劈波斩浪；龙舟健儿，奋力向前，竞显风流；河岸上，人潮涌动，彩旗招展。号子声、锣鼓声、击水声、人语声、助威声交织一片，场面壮观，呈现出人与自然和谐依存的景观。龙舟竞渡结束后，各地往往会举办庆祝活动，形式多样，包括文艺表演、燃礼花、放河灯等。
龙舟竞渡习俗是各地端午文化的重要表现形式，是各地百姓在漫长的生活实践中创造的社会产物，蕴含着中华民族的传统文化道德风尚和价值观念，对弘扬自强精神，强调人与自然和谐相处，强化人们的文化认同与社会和谐，加强民族团结具有重要意义。
摘自《百舸竞争流——端午龙舟竞渡习俗》

农历五月初五是端午节，又叫作“端阳节”、“重五节”。“端”有“开端”“初始”之意，再加上五月在天干纪年中属于“午”，所以称为“端午”。关于端午节的来源，最重要的也最主流的说法是为了纪念屈原。屈原是战国时期楚国的爱国诗人，他本是楚怀王的大臣，当时秦国一家独大，屈原力主联齐抗秦。但也因此在朝中树敌，其他人向楚怀王进谗言，屈原遭到了流放。眼见朝政败坏，忧国忧民的屈原写下了《离骚》《九歌》《天问》等不朽名篇。后来秦国攻陷了楚国都城郢都，屈原的政治理想破灭，抱石投汨罗江而死。屈原投江之后，楚国渔民在汨罗江中驶船，敲锣打鼓驱赶鱼虾，还把糯米饭团等食物投入江中喂食，以免鱼虾啃食屈原的遗体。这就是赛龙舟和包粽子的由来。龙舟竞渡中国盛行于南方地区。龙舟下水前必须先在五月初一举行迎龙头、点睛的仪式，下水前还要请水神、接龙船、祭江，才开始比赛。赛后还要举行谢江仪式，感谢水神庇佑。传统龙舟竞渡为两船竞赛，分左右水道，船首有两人，一人挥旗，一人敲锣或打鼓，船尾有一人，负责把舵，其他的选手分散在船的两侧划船。号声响起，两队奋力竞发，谁先抢到终点浮标上的旗帜，就算获胜。 粽子是端午节的主要食物。在往期的节目中咱们介绍了粽子的特色和种类。今天咱们来谈谈包粽子的粽叶，粽叶有很多种，比较典型的有芦苇叶和竹叶，南方盛产竹子，故多用竹叶，而北方多用芦苇包粽子。端午时至盛夏，蚊虫疫疾开始横生，因此端午也被视为“恶日”，端午许多习俗活动都有趋吉避凶的含义。挂蒲艾。菖蒲是水生草本植物，因其形如剑，又称为“剑草”，象征驱庵，是端午节的代表性植物。它有特殊的芳香，具有镇咳、镇静等多种疗效。艾草也具有香气，它在传统的中医领域使用得更为广泛，艾炙就是以艾草作为燃料，它具有清热、解毒、活血、利尿等多种功效，因此别名“医草”。端午时节，家家户户端午节都会洒扫庭院，并把菖蒲与艾草绑成一束，悬挂于大门旁或屋檐下。而北方地区则会将柳树枝条折下，插在门口。有情致的人家，还会喝“雄黄”酒。雄黄是一种硫化物，具有解毒杀虫的功效。端午节的时候，人们会把少量雄黄浸泡于酒里，制成雄黄酒然后饮用，许多民众还会把雄黄酒洒在家里的四周，并在额头上用雄黄酒画上“王”字，称为“画额”，据说这样做各种有毒的动物就不敢接近了。佩戴香包。端午节佩戴香包，可以驱除邪祟、求取吉祥。香包就是将各色绸布制成囊状，里面放置香料，用针线缝合，再串以布绳，系挂于颈间。传统香包最典型的造型就是老虎。虎是百兽之王，取勇猛、镇邪之意。端午时节，人们互相问候往往都会用“端午安康”而非“端午快乐”，因为这个节日的本身就包含着一些悲剧的色彩，节日的主题也离不开缅怀。“安康”包含了平安、吉祥、祥瑞的寓意，代表着我们对未来生活的美好祝愿。因此在这一天，别忘了说一声“端午节安康”！

(Mat) 

Hello and welcome to another episode, today we are talking something very important, education. Now as parents, we both have first-hand experience of our kid’s education, I think this will be a good opportunity to compare our attitudes towards educating children. Now I’m sure we’ll have some very ideas on this topic, because of our cultural background, I’m English and you’re Chinese; so we’re not trying to show how one way is better than the other, I think it’s just going to be interesting to explore the differences. So Jocelyn, my first question is very general, in a few sentences can you summarise your view of ‘the main aim or goal of education’?

(Jocelyn)

Yes, I agree with your point, we’re not trying to prove that one way is better, I think we’ll be highlighting that there are some differences and maybe even some similarities. So, for me, I guess I have a typical Chinese parent’s attitude towards education. So to summarise I’d say that education is highly valued and considered to be the key to success in later life. The main aim of education is to go to a good school with the best possible teachers, and to use all the available resources to get the best education possible (and that often means paying tuition fees for the best schools). There should be a lot of peer pressure to perform well, and the competition should be quite intense, because this can push a student to perform at their very best. The ultimate goal is to get into a good university and secure a good job in the future. That's why students in China tend to be very focused and hardworking in their studies.

(Mat) 

That’s interesting and it does differ to my answer. I would say that generally for most parents in the UK, education is also important, but I think there's a greater emphasis on developing individuality and creativity. We encourage students to find their own passions and interests, and to follow them within the framework of their education and these passions might lead to future career decisions. Of course, academic achievement is still important, but there's far less pressure to achieve a certain standard. We also have a more relaxed approach to learning, with a focus on independent thinking and critical analysis. So as parents, we value subjects like music, visual arts, drama as much as maths science and English. Would you say that’s true of Chinese parents?

(Jocelyn) 

I think generally, Chinese parents won’t encourage kids to focus on the arts as much as academic subjects like maths, science, and Chinese. There’s a good reason for this, it’s because in Chinese education, there is a strong focus on high school and university entrance exams (Zhong kao and gao kao), and success is often measured by getting good scores in these exams. Pursuing artistic subjects, on the other hand, might be seen as wasting an opportunity, because these are not so important in these exams. So for this reason, Chinese parents can be quite controlling when it comes to their children's education paths and choices. They may try to influence their children's decision-making or even completely control it, as they believe it's their responsibility to ensure their children's success. So, while individuality and creativity are valued, academic achievement and a secure future are often prioritized above all else.

(Mat)

That’s interesting because my son Oscar (who is 18 now), has spent the last two years of high school studying music, art, drama and languages. He doesn’t do maths or sciences. As a parent, I just wanted to encourage him to follow his passions and explore his creativity. Of course, as a parent, I do worry about his future and whether he'll be able to find a job that he loves, but I believe that if he's happy and passionate about what he does now, he'll find a way to make it work in the future. But I understand how this attitude isn’t practical for most parents and students in China, just because the education system is structured differently. I think that’s a key point in our discussion today, our attitudes as parents are shaped and influenced by the education system we experiences ourselves and the learning environment our kids are actually in.

(Jocelyn)

Yes, that's a great point. I think it's important to understand that our attitudes towards education are shaped by our cultural and social backgrounds, experiences, and the specific education system we are a part of. While I totally agree that creativity and individuality are important, the education system in China is structured differently and therefore, the emphasis is more on academic achievement and getting into a good university to secure a good job in the future. It's not that we don't value the arts, it's just that pursuing them may not be the practical choice for many students in China. Ultimately, as parents, we all want the best for our children, and I believe that our different attitudes towards education reflect our best intentions and efforts to do the right thing for our kids in our very different contexts.

中国教育中，自古以来我们家长深受“学而优则仕”的思想的影响。家长很愿意自己的子女去从政，即使不能从政，也希望自己的子女能够在机关做事。应该说，我们的家长往往把家庭的未来寄托在子女的身上。所以，在培养目标上，子女在更多的时候是要依照家长的意愿来发展的。西方教育中，家长能够考虑到学生的实际情况。在培养目标上，他们希望子女可以根据自己的实际情况来选择适合自己的工作，也就是成为一个快乐的劳动者。

在西方的教育中，虽然也有处世的教育，但是在更多的时候，是去吸纳别人，去尊重别人，在与别人的交往中展现自我。家长也同样鼓励自己孩子保留自己个性化的一部分而不是学会去隐藏自己真实的东西。中国学生和西方学生对比起来比较老练，他们可以把前人积累的经验熟练的运用到实际生活中。西方学生比较张扬，在我们开来似乎是有些不够沉稳

中西方在教育文化方面的差异表现在许多方面，简单加以概括为：反映到思维方式上是抽象和具体的差别，反映到观念态度上则似乎可以理解为西方人更加实用，中国人多少更偏重一些精神感受。但是，这些文化的差异不能说谁优谁劣，这是客观形成的。

摘自《中外教育比较》

中国古代的教育正式开始于西周。在奴隶社会，贵族垄断了教育，所以西周时期形成了“学在官府”的局面，也就是官学制度。官学有国学和乡学之分。国学设在国都，是贵族子弟所进的学校。乡学是下层奴隶主和平民的学校。而奴隶则不能接受教育。同时周朝设立“大司徒”统辖全国教育，这是中国最早的教育行政机构。官学以“六艺”为主要教育内容。六艺是礼、乐、射、御、书、数的合称。

礼即礼仪，是古人日常的行为规范。周代的礼有五种，称为“五礼”，分别是吉礼：祭祀之礼；凶礼：丧葬之礼；军礼：军事礼仪；宾礼：诸侯朝见天子的礼仪；、嘉礼：日常生活礼仪，特别是婚姻、嘉奖的礼仪。

乐指音乐和与音乐相关的礼乐体系。西周诗与歌不分，我们熟悉的《诗经》其实都是可以吟唱的。所以周代的“乐”不仅指代音乐，还包含诗歌和舞蹈。

射就是射箭。射是古代考试的主要项目之一。

御就是驾驭马车的技术。

书是指识字、书法，也就是语言文字的内容。

数是“数”和“术”的合称，“数”是数字，“术”是解决问题的办法和技巧，具体而言是数学计算的知识。

到了春秋战国时期，新的教育组织形式“私学”开始发展起来，齐国的“稷（jì 四声）下学宫”便是那时私学的最高学府。这是世界上第一所由官方举办、私家主持运营的的高等学府。稷下学宫是“百家争鸣”的中心园地，有力地促进了先秦思想文化的繁荣。

孔子便是私学的代表人物，孔子主张“有教无类”，不管是什么身份的人，都有权利接受教育。在他的学生学生中，既有贵族富商，也有平民百姓。他带头推行大规模的私人办学，一定程度上打破了奴隶主贵族对教育的垄断，促进了教育的普及。

同时，孔子强调教育不可替代的社会作用，孔子说：“道之以政，齐之以刑，民免而无耻；道之以德，齐之以礼，有耻且格。”这句话是说，政令和刑罚虽然能让民众不敢做坏事，但他们没有羞耻之心；如果用道德和礼制教育民众，他们就具有了羞耻之心和行为准则。

孔子对后世的教育思想和制度产生深远的影响，因此被后世尊称为“至圣先师，万世师表”。

汉代，汉武帝采纳董仲舒的建议，罢黜百家，独尊儒术，儒家思想成为国家经济、政治、思想文化体系的支柱，儒家经典成为教育体系的核心内容。汉代官学与私学并举，汉武帝设置了“太学”，是国家最高学府。

提到教育制度，就不得不提与之对应的教育选拔制度了。汉代的察举制度，意在选拔孝廉兼备、贤良方正的人。但是因为察举制难有统一的客观标准，可操作空间大，所以最后往往都是由世家贵族垄断。南北朝时期的九品中正制同样采取考察才能与品德的方式。中正即在各州、郡、县等地方政府，设置大大小小的“中正”，负责当地人才的评价和选拔。由于中正职位都被世家大族垄断，考选全凭一人，同样造成“上品无寒门，下品无世族”的现象。

隋唐时期，为了改变寒门学子无出路，贵族当权的取士制度，创立并健全了科举考试制度。学校教育、社会教育、官员的任免，均服从于科举考试。科举制度不仅促进了唐代学校教育和社会教育的发展，而且也使寒门庶士有了从政的可能，推动了当时的政治革新，是教育制度和职官制度的一大进步。明清时期继续沿用科举制度，并且考试科目有了更加详尽的分类。

正式的科举考试分为三级：乡试、会试和殿试。

乡试通常每三年在各省省会举行，参加乡试的考生称为秀才。乡试及第之后便称为举人，乡试第一名称为解（jiè）元。

会试在乡试后的第二年春天举行，会试及第后称为贡士，第一名称为会元。

殿试是皇帝主试的考试。殿试及第后统称为进士。殿试分三个等级录取，又称为“三甲”。第一甲录取三名，第一名俗称状元，第二名俗称榜眼，第三名俗称探花。这一称呼一直延续至今。科举及第对古代士人来说是莫大的荣耀，唐代孟郊就写诗描写及第之后的喜悦心情：“春风得意马蹄疾，一日看尽长安花。”

清朝末期，清政府废除了科举制度，创办了新式学堂，并引进了西方教育模式，可谓是中国教育史的一次革命。同时，清政府也选派许多学生去国外留学，后来，这些留学生有不少都成为了中国科技、经济、政治、文化领域里的中流砥柱，为中国近代化发展作出了重要的贡献，如詹天佑、赵元任、梅贻琦。

漫漫历史长河中，中国演变出了一套完整的教育制度和教育规范，为中华文明的进步与繁荣奠定了坚实的基础。而之后新学派，新制度，也依然在延续中国教育的历史，为国家培育栋梁材，为未来造就新希望。