structure of chinese culture

Structure of chinese culture

 

Main article: Social structure of China
Since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period, some form of Chinese monarch has been the main ruler above all. Different periods of history have different names for the various positions within society. Conceptually each imperial or feudal period is similar, with the government and military officials ranking high in the hierarchy, and the rest of the population under regular Chinese law.^[7] From the late Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE) onwards, traditional Chinese society was organized into a hierarchic system of socio-economic classes known as the four occupations.
However, this system did not cover all social groups while the distinctions between all groups became blurred ever since the commercialization of Chinese culture in the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE). Ancient Chinese education also has a long history; ever since the Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE) educated candidates prepared for the Imperial examinations which drafted exam graduates into government as scholar-bureaucrats.
This led to the creation of a meritocracy, although success was available only to males who could afford test preparation. Imperial examinations required applicants to write essays and demonstrate mastery of the Confucian classics. Those who passed the highest level of the exam became elite scholar-officials known as jinshi, a highly esteemed socio-economic position. A major mythological structure developed around the topic of the mythology of the imperial exams. Trades and crafts were usually taught by a shifu. The female historian Ban Zhao wrote the Lessons for Women in the Han Dynasty and outlined the four virtues women must abide to, while scholars such as Zhu Xi and Cheng Yi would expand upon this. Chinese marriage and Taoist sexual practices are some of the rituals and customs found in society.

Air strikes on Iraq dam 'to protect US interests'

The failure of Mosul dam may put US staff and facilities, including the US embassy in Baghdad, at risk, Barack Obama warned Congress in a letter.
It comes after the US sent bombers for the first time to help Kurdish forces expel Islamic State (IS) militants.
Kurdish officials now say they have near complete control of the dam.
If the recapture is confirmed, it will be the biggest reverse for IS since they launched their offensive in Iraq in June.
The strategically important facility, seized by IS militants on 7 August, supplies water and electricity to northern Iraq
Critical services President Obama notified Congress that the widened mission in Iraq would be limited in scope and duration, the White House said in a statement on Sunday.
In addition to citing concerns over US facilities in Iraq, he said the failure of the dam could "prevent the Iraqi government from providing critical services to the Iraqi populace".
It comes amid fears that IS, formerly known as Isis, could have used it to flood areas downstream.
The US military said it had conducted 14 strikes on Sunday, damaging 19 vehicles belonging to IS militants as well as a checkpoint near the dam.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces were still trying to clear mines and booby traps from the area round the dam on Sunday, a process which could take several hours, Kurdish officials said.
They said US special forces had been on the ground to help co-ordinate the air strikes.

Ek parcham ke saye

mangoes

The mango is a juicy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees, that are cultivated mostly for edible fruit. The majority of these species are found in nature as wild mangoes. They all belong to the flowering plant family An acardiaceae. The mango is native to South and Southeast Asia, from where it has been distributed worldwide to become one of the most cultivated fruits in the tropics. The highest concentration of Mangifera genus is situated in western part of Malesia (Sumatra, Java and Borneo) and in Burma and India. While other Mangifera species (e.g. horse mango, M. foetida) are also grown on a more localized basis, Mangifera indica—the "common mango" or "Indian mango"—is the only mango tree commonly cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions. It originated in India and Burma. It is the national fruit ofIndia, Pakistan, and the Philippines and the national tree of Bangladesh. In several cultures, its fruit and leaves are ritually used as floral decorations at weddings, public celebrations and religious ceremonies.

third world war

World War III (WW III, W W 3 or the Third World War) is a term used to describe a hypothetical worldwide conflict following World War II. The most common scenario, an imagined nuclear war between the superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States, is widely used as a premise or plot device in books, films, television productions, and video games. However, some writers have applied the term instead to the Cold War, arguing that it met the definition of a world war even though there was no direct conflict between the superpowers.

World War I (1914–1918) was regarded as the "war to end all wars" and it was believed there could never be another global conflict. World War II (1939–1945) proved that to be false, and with the advent of the Cold War (1945–1991) and the use of nuclear weapons, the likelihood of a third global conflict became more accepted. It was anticipated and planned for by military and civil authorities in many countries. Scenarios ranged from conventional warfare, to limited or total nuclear warfare leading to the destruction of civilization.

the black scorpion

The answer to the scorpion question may lie to the east of Pakistan

As soon as the sun sets in Sindh, along the coast of southern Pakistan, scorpion hunters leave their homes looking for their fortune. The black scorpion has become one of the country’s most valuable commodities with large specimens going for thousands of dollars.

To date nobody has been able to explain the demand for the animals, and nobody seems to have any idea where the scorpions are going once they leave the sand. According to Pakistan’s The Tribune Express the trade in scorpions began to pick up about twelve months ago, but the country’s media still has no good explanation for the phenomenon.

Scorpions don’t cure cancer

The most common explanation for the demand for scorpions is that the animals are being used in order to treat cancer. There is only one well-known treatment for cancer which uses scorpion venom, and it’s in an experimental, and controversial phase.

The deathstalker scorpion, which is actually a yellow scorpion, is being used by Jim Olson, but he gets his venom from medial facilities, not from scorpions sold on eBay. The widespread capture of black scorpions in Pakistan probably has little to do with Olson’s research.

Another piece of research is being done in Cuba where doctors believe they have discovered a vaccine for several types of cancer using the venom of the blue scorpion. The research is yet to be verified by authorities in the European Union or the United States.

With prices being offered for larger scorpions, with those of over a hundred grams bringing in thousands of dollars, it’s no wonder that the people of Sindh, Pakistan have set themselves the task of capturing the venomous animal, despite the danger to themselves.

Running out of scorpions

Some Pakistanis in the area are beginning to report a shortage of the animals and no wonder. One online auction site has several ads from people looking to buy Black Scorpions with one ad offering to “buy a black Scorpio on any cost.”

The high prices being offered for the animals, and the apparent reduction in numbers being caused by the hunt for them, brings similarities with the trade for Rhino horns to the forefront. The illegal gathering of rhino horns in Africa began because of the high price being paid for the appendage in China. The same thing happened with shark fins in the East Asian country.

Scorpion venom was an important part of medicine in ancient China and vestiges of its use have remained until this day. The country may be responsible for the rise in the price of the black scorpion, and Pakistanis may be the unwitting first link in a chain leading back to Beijing.

As Western Europeans drove animals like The Galapagos Giant Tortoise to near extinction out of love for its flesh and disregard for its habitat, China’s new found economic power may be causing trouble for scorpion species in Pakistan as it did for the Rhino in Africa.

tips for healthy body

Want to become a healthier person? It's all about making gradual changes. Following the tips in this article offer several benefits for you: lower risk of several cancers and diseases, a possibly leaner frame, and the chance to live a long and happy life. Health is a very important priority in life so what are you waiting for? Follow these steps and you'll be on your way to becoming a better person.

1

Get lots of sleep. In order to maintain a healthy body, you will need 8-10 hours of sleep every day. This keeps you awake and alert, so you don't have to drink caffeine and sugar-loaded energy drinks. If you are a kid and have early school times, go to sleep earlier on school nights

Laugh and smile! Smiling a lot makes your face look younger and it feels great. If you laugh a lot, it has been scientifically proven to keep you healthier.

3

Do nothing. Staying in a dark, quiet place without having any stressful thoughts for about ten minutes will leave you feeling refreshed. Focus on the energy field inside of you or try to focus on your body from the inside. If you just relax, you will feel better and probably keep feeling good through the day. Just do this a couple of times a day.

4

Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet. Try to get at least 5-9 servings a day.

5

Drink water! It is key in making you run throughout the day. Try drinking 8 eight-ounce glasses of water each day. It helps you re-energize and keep going. Not drinking enough fresh water leads to acne, headaches, and even dehydration. Do this, and you'll stay in good condition.


   6 Feel good about yourself! There is always going to be someone in the room who does at least one thing better than you, so don't compare yourself to other people! Find things you are good at, and use your talents!

7 Get some exercise everyday, even just a little. This will not only make you feel better, and make you look better, but help you to get through the day. Research has proven that exercising regularly helps you feel better because endorphins released by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus during exercise produce a feeling of happiness and well being.