THE TRAVEL GUIDE
READING TIME: 3 MIN
CHINA: BETWEEN RITUALS AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS
China and its culture, as mysterious as it is legendary, is one of the oldest civilizations in the history of the world. An amalgam of contradictions, it is composed of almost futuristic cities like Hong-Kong and Shanghai, historic villages, and their vast rice fields and natural landscapes like Yunnan.
China is full of breathtaking locales with stories where rituals and traditions mingle.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MASSAGE
Massage is one of the five pillars of Chinese medicine. Traditional massage is called Tui na (pronounced "twee-naw"), translates to "pinch and pull”. A true ritual, it brings together more than 300 techniques, chosen according to the needs of each body. Massage offers benefits not only for the body, but also for the mind. It helps to harmonize energies, stimulate the immune system, revitalize the body, and provide a calm state and improved sleep.
CALLIGRAPHY
Art holds an extremely important place in Chinese culture. Calligraphy, the well-known art of decorative writing, is the most prominent of the four major artistic disciplines. It is much more than a means of communication, it is also a painting, and a creative way to share one's ideas. Calligraphy adorns all forms of arts in China, including silk, paper, and ceramics. This mingling of the arts is common and the exacting discipline of calligraphy stands apart as both ritual and tradition.
CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS
China is without a doubt the country where the martial arts are most prevalent in the world, and the various disciplines are an integral part of Chinese culture. Kung-Fu or Tai-Chi-Chuan are part of the citizens’ everyday lives, and they are utilized as much more than a means of self-defense. This art is practiced both for physical health and mental discipline, helping to boost overall well-being and for the positive circulation of Chi, the life energy. It is an art of coordination, integration, and values, the perfect harmony between body and mind.
MEALS IN CHINA, A time OF SHARING AND RESPECT
Chinese dishes are full of delicious spices and flavors, each more different than the next: it is a world of real culinary richness. Like many countries, there are certain conventions in China associated with dining manners. For example, it is frowned upon to rest your chopsticks vertically across your rice bowl, this is synonymous with death.
In restaurants in China, dishes are shared, each person serving themselves from communal plates. China is full of culinary traditions, like eating hot noodles on your birthday (a symbol of longevity) and eggs (symbols of happiness).
THE RITUAL OF THE TEA CEREMONY
Tea drinking in China is a 4,000 year old tradition. The tea ceremony called "Gong Fu Cha", which translates to “making tea with skill”, emerged in the 18th century. This method of presenting tea is practiced daily by the Chinese, but is also considered an art when presented by tea masters. This ceremony utilizes specific tools and equipment, and special attention is paid to the temperature of the water and the duration of the steeping, to maximize the flavors and aromas of each type of tea. Indeed, the teapot is an extremely important element; we prefer a terracotta version, that best keeps the heat, fragrance and flavor of the tea.
Natural And
ORGANIC
FRENCH
MANUFACTURING
Ethical
production
Clean
Cosmetics
ECO-RESPONSIBLE PACKAGING
JOIN THE MELCHIOR & BALTHAZAR JOURNEY
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive beauty tips, news and special offers.