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The Chinese Culture : Time In The Chinese Culture

Decent Essays

Time in the Chinese Culture Time orientation in the Chinese culture is another phenomenon related to Confucianism principles. The Chinese culture is very past-oriented, which according to Sagar means they “honor tradition and are respectful of elders” (2012, p. 59). This past-time orientation began because Confucius lived in a time where there were many wars and an overall decline in social morality, so he decided to look to the past for a better model to help reform society (Li, 2008). Confucianism, and therefore a large majority of Chinese culture, have been very past-oriented and looked to those that came before them with great respect and esteem ever since. Another Confucius principle is one that deals with the flexible attitude the Chinese have towards time. When dealing with different matters, there is a heavy emphasis on the “right occasion” and the “right opportunity” (Li, 2008, p. 67). The Chinese believe that things will happen at the right time and when one tries to force things to happen when it isn’t right it won’t work. Things will happen when they are meant to and when it is ‘right’ (Li, 2008). Environmental Control in the Chinese Culture The value orientation in Chinese culture centers greatly around the concept of yin and yang, which are opposing forces. Yin is negative energy, cold and female; yang is positive energy, hot and male. Whenever there is an imbalance between the two, that is when illness can occur. The concept of yin and yang, among other

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