In China the tribute system began from the earliest days to provide both an administrative means to control vassals, as well as a means for which to provide exclusive trading rights to those who paid tribute from foreign regions. The process of tribute from a foreign nation to China allowed reciprocal trade under both imperial protection and imperial regulation, and barred entry into this trade by those who did not participate. It was an integral part of the Confucian philosophy and was seen as equivalent to the familial relation of younger ...

See also:

Tribute, Tribute - Chinese practice of tributes as trade regulation, Tribute - Western European notions of tribute in medieval times, Tribute - Tribute in the modern era

Read more here: » Tribute: Encyclopedia II - Tribute - Chinese practice of tributes as trade regulation

See also:

Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Chi Chuan - Overview, Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan training and techniques, Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan styles and history, Tai Chi Chuan - Family tree, Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan in the present, Tai Chi Chuan - Modern forms, Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan as a health practice and a form of traditional Chinese medicine, Tai Chi Chuan - Citations to medical research

Read more here: » Tai Chi Chuan: Encyclopedia II - Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan as a health practice and a form of traditional Chinese medicine

Researchers have found that long-term T'ai Chi practice had favorable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of falls in elders. The studies also reported reduced pain, stress and anxiety in healthy subjects. Other studies have indicated improved cardiovascular and respiratory function in healthy subjects as well as those who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients also benefited fro ...

See also:

Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Chi Chuan - Overview, Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan training and techniques, Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan styles and history, Tai Chi Chuan - Family tree, Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan in the present, Tai Chi Chuan - Modern forms, Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan as a health practice and a form of traditional Chinese medicine, Tai Chi Chuan - Citations to medical research

Read more here: » Tai Chi Chuan: Encyclopedia II - Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan as a health practice and a form of traditional Chinese medicine

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year which has been designated the Year of the Monkey, 4701. The date is computed on the basis of the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar which harmonises both the lunar cycle and the solar year by incorporating astronomical observations of the phases of the moon and the apparent path of the sun.

The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the second new moon (lunar) after the winter solstice (solar). The winter solstice occurs when the apparent path of the sun reaches its lowest point on the horizon.

(See also: Chinese New Year, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Chinese New Year: Year of the Monkey  

The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. In China today, the Gregorian Calendar is used for most day to day activities, but the Chinese calendar is still used for marking traditional holidays such as Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), Duan Wu festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, and in astrology, such as choosing the most auspicious date for a wedding or the opening of a building. Because each month follows one cycle of the moon, it is also used to determ ...

Including:

Chinese calendar - History
Chinese calendar - Legendary beginnings Chinese calendar - Early History Chinese calendar - The Taichuli calendar Chinese calendar - The True Sun and Moon Chinese calendar - The Gregorian Reform and the 1929 time change
Chinese calendar - Calendar Rules Chinese calendar - Year Markings
Chinese calendar - Regnal Years Chinese calendar - The Stem-Branch Cycle Chinese calendar - Solar Year versus Lunar Year
Chinese calendar - Hours of the Day Chinese calendar - The Chinese Zodiac Chinese calendar - Solar term Chinese calendar - Holidays Chinese calendar - Purpose of the Intercalary Months Chinese calendar - The relevance of the calendar today
Chinese calendar - Practical uses Chinese calendar - Cultural issues

Read more here: » Chinese calendar: Encyclopedia - Chinese calendar

Chinese calendar - Regnal Years. Traditional Chinese years were not continuously numbered in the way that the BC/AD system is. More commonly, official year counting always used some form of a regnal year. This system began in 841 BC during the Zhou dynasty. Prior to this, years were not marked at all, and historical events prior to this cannot be dated exactly. In 841 BC, the Li King Hu of Zhou (周历王胡) was ousted by a civilian uprising (国人暴动), and the country was governed for the next fourte ...

See also:

Chinese calendar, Chinese calendar - History, Chinese calendar - Legendary beginnings, Chinese calendar - Early History, Chinese calendar - The Taichuli calendar, Chinese calendar - The True Sun and Moon, Chinese calendar - The Gregorian Reform and the 1929 time change, Chinese calendar - Calendar Rules, Chinese calendar - Year Markings, Chinese calendar - Regnal Years, Chinese calendar - The Stem-Branch Cycle, Chinese calendar - Solar Year versus Lunar Year, Chinese calendar - Hours of the Day, Chinese calendar - The Chinese Zodiac, Chinese calendar - Solar term, Chinese calendar - Holidays, Chinese calendar - Purpose of the Intercalary Months, Chinese calendar - The relevance of the calendar today, Chinese calendar - Practical uses, Chinese calendar - Cultural issues

Read more here: » Chinese calendar: Encyclopedia II - Chinese calendar - Year Markings

Minor Adjustments, Major Difference in Feng Shui

" I explain that energies do change annually and there are some adjustments she needs to make every year to make positive frequencies active. Using the Nine Star Chart that indicates annual planetary cycles and their effect on her home's energy, I recommend that she move her bed so that she faces west. She should also convert her dining area in the southwest into a work area. Put yellow sunflowers here or cover the table with a white or yellow cloth to stimulate the earth frequencies here for prosperity. At the entry area, she should try to let in more western light by opening the door or windows and put yellow flowers at the door."

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Minor Adjustments, Major Difference in Feng Shui

Feng Shui and Religion

It is important to understand that feng shui is not a religion. Feng shui is the recognition or understanding of the laws of nature, that there are certain patterns of energy. For every force, there is an equal and opposite force. For every cause, there is an effect. This natural phenomenon exists whether you believe in it or not.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Feng Shui and Religion

Feng Shui: Violating Natural Laws

In the philosophy of feng shui, everyone has a unique energy that radiates from their body. If the house's energy is not harmonized with a person's energy, it causes the body's internal energy to be scattered. Lacking focused energy, it is easy to be anxious and nervous, to say things one does not mean, to sleep with out getting rest. Unable to think and act at one's full potential makes people get into conflicts, eat the wrong things, do the wrong things and be involved in many mishaps.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Violating Natural Laws - About Feng Shui

Integrating the Energies with Feng Shui

In the philosophy of feng shui, before you were born, you existed as part of the five elements in nature. At the instant you are born, the energy field created by the placement of the planets when you enter the world affects you, and in many ways, determines your lifehart" that defines your life in accurate detail and what your dominant element is. I call this your "birth element".

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Integrating the Energies with Feng Shui

Feng Shui Giving Us Direction

In Taoist thought, everything is made of qi or energy. In modern terms, this is a perspective of the laws of nature which views our world as made of multiple energy phases or magnetic patterns. Consequently, everything around us has the potential to affect our well-being. Qi is the energy that gives us life, that makes rivers flow and plants grow. Qi is our spirit, our emotions, our subconscious, our creative intellect. Imagine if you could see all the wavelengths of light from ultra-violet to infra-red, you would see that qi is everywhere. It is in the chair you are sitting in, it is in the words you are reading, flowing in the space around you. Qi is the essence of existence.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Feng Shui and Qi

Feng Shui in Times of Trouble

Very often in times of trouble and desperation, we may run to the closest source of solace and expect it to resolve our problems. However, we must understand that just as most problems or illnesses do not occur over night, solutions also require time to work its healing ways. Too often, feng shui is not considered from the beginning to "prevent the fire," rather used when it is too late to "put out the fire." In considering feng shui in our planning, we can gain insight on how to best pave a road to success.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Feng Shui in Times of Trouble

Synchronizing Energies

Feng shui is about "synchronicity." Being in sync with the natural patterns of energy is like focusing a picture. Everything becomes clear. You understand who you are, you know what your purpose in life is, and you realize how to deal with problems. The different elements of your life comes into place - you are better able to pursue your goals, meet the right people, and be in the right place at the right time. Feng shui lets your existence take on a new force.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Synchronizing Energies with Feng Shui

Business Traveling and Sales

As with the feng shui for a house, the feng shui for an office similarly involves many factors, from the owner's energies, the building's location, interior layout, site, local and global economics and so forth - 60 factors in all. The key points are that the business type and its location matches the owner's frequencies and ideally, everyone in an office should be placed where they can naturally work to their full potential. The personal offices of the owner and the major money makers are especially important in feng shui.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Business Traveling and Sales

Feng Shui, Astrology and Chi

The Chinese astrology or birth chart is taken from the date and time of birth. It is a statistical record of the energies that existed at a specific time and has an accuracy of about 90%, however, the effect it has on a person is only about 3.3% because there are many other factors such as personality, background, education, culture, health and so forth that also influences a person's life.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Feng Shui, Astrology and Chi

When 1+1=0 - Feng Shui and its relation to other factors

Ever since we were children, we were taught that good deeds brought good returns - that one plus one equals two. However, in reality, there are many things that do not add up and simply do not make sense. When one plus one equals zero - when hard work brings no results.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: When 1+1=0 - Feng Shui and its relation to other factors

Three Problems Ten Solutions

The phone rings and I answer it. Before I could say a word, a woman introduces herself as Vicki and begins firing a series of questions. Is it bad feng shui that her main door faces a stairway? What can she do about it? What happens if there is a low ceiling in her living room? Do exposed beams in the master bedroom affect her feng shui? How can she correct them?

I tell her that in feng shui analysis, there are 60 factors involved. This should also be coordinated with each resident's birth chart and personal energies. Because even if a person has good feng shui - being in a low period of his/her life path, having a personality that is stubborn or weak, having bad habits, being malnourished - all these things play a part in influencing a person's success, relationships and health in life.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Feng Shui and its relation to other factors

Feng Shui and Stair Cases

First, we must understand what a staircase is before we can know how it affects us. Staircases are made up of many steps, each protruding out as a potential source of danger. When we are not careful, it is easy to stumble or hurt ourselves on the steps. Staircases are also vertical shafts that penetrate through each floor, making a "hole" in the building, especially in high rises. In feng shui, staircases are known as a source of sha chi or potentially harmful or degenerating energy. Therefore, in order to understand what effect it has on us, we must know the residents' birth elements and where the staircase is located. Different people and different stair locations have different effects.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Feng Shui and Stair Cases

Feng shui is a philosophy that creates an environment which is ergonomic; it lets us work efficiently, comfortably and successfully by following the patterns of nature. Think of yourself as a boat, it is simply easier and more effective to sail with the current and wind rather than against it. This idea is one of the basic concepts of feng shui. Imagine your house as an extension of yourself, like a shirt that you can wear. If you were to wear the shirt so that your neck were to fit through the sleeve, you probably would not function very well, finding it very constrictive and hard to breathe. In feng shui, a house is designed to fit the body comfortably.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Feng Shiu, An Introduction

Use Feng Shui to Make the New Year Better

Every year the energies around us change and affect us differently. In feng shui, cosmic energies play a big role in affecting our well-being. As the earth rotates around the sun, day turns into night and seasons change. The shorter days of winter tend to depress us while spring and summer tend to rejuvenate us. Our financial well-being is related to sunspots on the top of the sun, while sunspots on the bottom of the sun are associated with economic recession. The moon's gravitational forces are known to cause earthquakes and floods.

Read more here: » Feng Shui: Use Feng Shui to Make the New Year Better