传统中国文化八大主题中英翻译

中国传统文化Traditional Chinese Culture

1 书法艺术The Art of Calligraphy

2 中国画的含意The Significance of Chinese Paintings

3 重新发现孔子Rediscover Confucius

4中医和西医的差异Differences between Chinese and Western Medicines

5 戏曲的作用The Role of Operas

6中国人崇尚的颜色:黄和红China’s Favorite Colo r: Yellow & Red：

7筷子的重要性The Importance of Chopsticks

8 茶的格调The Elegance of Tea Drinking

1. 书法艺术The Art of Calligraphy

有批评家指出，不同的书法风格有不同的政治寓意。拿王羲之的书体来说。他的书法在他有生之年被批评为非正统的书体，然而在他去世几十年之后又被认为是正统的书体。

Some critics suggest that different genres of Chinese calligraphy have different political implications. Take Wang Xizhi for an example. His calligraphy was repudiated as unorthodox during his lifetime but, only a few decades after his death, was established as an orthodox genre.

从历史上看，中国书法和政治紧密相连。2000多年前，秦始皇建立了官方的汉字体系。新的简化文字使得书法不那么复杂了。它允许人们使用带有更多直笔的文字，因此用毛笔写起来更加容易。这种书体被称为隶书。逐渐地，其他书体也出现了，最终形成中国书法的五大书体：篆书、隶书、楷书、行书、草书。

Historically, Chinese calligraphy and politics were closely intertwined. Over 2,000 years ago, Emperor Qin Shihuang, established the official Chinese writing characters(汉字). The new, simplified characters made writing calligraphy less complicated. It allowed people to use characters with more straight strokes(笔划), thus making it easier to write with brushes(毛笔). This created the Li genre. Over time, other variations were also developed, which eventually lead to the formation of the five genres in Chinese calligraphy. These were the Zhuan, Li, Kai, Xing and Cao genres(五种书体).

中国老百姓很喜欢书法。很多人把它作为提高文化修养的一种方式。老人用书法来健身。他们觉得当聚精会神写字的时候，精气上升，身体康健。

Ordinary Chinese people like calligraphy a lot. Many people practice calligraphy as a way to raise their cultural accomplishment. Older people use calligraphic writing as a method to keep fit. They believe that when a person concentrates on writing calligraphy, his inner well-being is stimulated.

2. 中国画的含意The Significance of Chinese Paintings

中国画虽然大都有相似的主题，但是可以现场表演，非常有趣。牡丹、梅花、山川、屋舍都是中国画常见的主题。在很多重大的庆祝和纪念活动中总能看到画家的身影。

It`s interesting that Chinese paintings can be created on the spot, even though most of them have

similar subjects. Peony(牡丹), plum blossoms(梅花), mountains, creeks(溪水) or cottages(屋舍) are very popular. There are often painters at significant celebratory and commemorative events.

中国画的一大特点是具有教育功能。早在2000年前人物画就用来纪念英雄或鞭笞奸臣了。唐朝的大臣试图在绘画中加入儒家思想。宋朝出版一份官方的绘画指南，从而提高了人物画、山水画和器物画的作画标准。这份指南把绘画分为10种类型，涵盖了各种宗教信仰、孔孟之道和国家政权。这种分类方法从官方角度定义了绘画的价值和重要性所在。

Their educational function is, in fact, a unique feature of Chinese painting. Human profiles were used as a method to either glorify heroes or condemn traitors 2,000 years ago. Tang Dynasty officials even tried to bring painting into Confucian ideology. The Court of the Song Dynasty published an official guide to paintings. This raised criteria not only for human profiles but also for landscape and object paintings. It classified paintings into ten categories covering religious beliefs, Confucianism and state power. This classification gave an official definition of the value and significance of the paintings.

山水画旨在描绘五岳名山，而瓜果和禽鸟画用来象征或赞颂神明。这样的作画方式，通过借物喻人来传达道德观念。比如说，牡丹和孔雀代表财富，梅、兰、竹、菊代表优雅和涵养，松柏代表忠诚。

The purpose of landscape paintings was to portray the five mountains, while fruit and birds were used to exemplify or eulogize the Gods. In this case, the subjects were used as references to people in order to deliver moral messages. For example, peony and peacocks（孔雀）represented wealth and fortune; plum blossoms, orchids(兰花), bamboo, and chrysanthemum(菊花) represented elegance and accomplishment; and pine trees and cypresses symbolized loyalty.

艺术家通常反对实用思想。他们喜欢赋予作画主题以含义。竹子象征诚实，而松树象征永不放弃的精神。艺术家也喜欢山水画。山水画不需要很多训练，它完全取决于画者的个人性情、笔法和自身感触。大多数的现代业余绘画爱好者常作山水画。他们主要的绘画目的是休闲和自我陶醉。比较有成就的艺术家们可以有机会公开展示他们的画作。这可能就是他们绘画生涯的巅峰了。

Artists are usually against pragmatism. They like to give meaning to the subjects they paint. Bamboo symbolizes integrity and pine trees symbolize never giving up. Artists also like landscapes. It doesn`t take a lot of training to paint landscapes. It all depends on the painter`s personality and ability, as well as his unique touch. Most of today`s non-professional painters follow the landscape style. The objective of these painters is purely entertainment and self-satisfaction. The more successful artists have the opportunity to exhibit at public functions. That is probably the climax of their painting careers.

3. 重新发现孔子Rediscover Confucius

孔子是中国古代的一位伟大的思想家、教育家、政治家，也是儒家学说的创始人。他的重要影响一直延续至今。

Confucius was a great philosopher, an educator, a politician, as well as the founder of confucianism, which still has a tremendous influence over people today.

儒家思想似乎又风行起来了。就我所知，中国有五六百万的孩子在学习《论语》；不少企业家把儒家思想引进到企业管理中；中国政府也试图通过倡导道德、公正和廉洁的儒家思想，来解决经济调整发展带来的社会问题。儒家思想被广泛运用于中国社会。

Confucianism seems to be back in fashion again. About five to six million Chinese students are currently studying The Analects of Confucius. Some companies are using Confucianism as a management tool. The government is also promoting the Confucian values of ethics, fairness, and honesty. They see it as a way to address the social problems that have emerged as a result of the accelerated economic growth. Confucianism has extensive application in Chinese society.

儒学的核心要义是：“仁、义、礼、智、信”

The essences of Confucianism are Benevolence, Righteousness, Courtesy, Wisdom and Trust

儒家思想是中国传统文化的主干。孔子的哲学体系以“仁”为核心，《论语》记载着他的政治学说。儒学是一套伦理道德，强调的是为人处事的正派、人际关系的和谐以及个人对国家的责任感。在孔子看来，政治上的诚实是以人品的正直为基础的。

Confucianism is the backbone of Chinese culture. Confucius developed his philosophy around the concept of benevolence. The Analects of Confucius is a record of his political views. Confucianism represents a set of moral principles because it stresses fairness and harmony in human relationships, as well as the individual`s social responsibility for their country. For Confucius, political honesty is based on individual ethical integrity.

孔子还是个了不起的教育家，他平等对待学生，教给他们民主、开放的观念。用美国学者的话说就是：培养能够自然从容并适应环境的君子。

Confucius was also an accomplished educator. He treated his students as his equal by teaching them democratic and open-minded ideas. In the words of the American scholars, Confucius wanted to train his students to become more unrestrained and adaptable to external influences.

儒家学说也在世界其他地方逐渐引起了重视。这也许与中国经济的高速发展所带来的各种政治、文化，以及环境等问题的巨大挑战有关。个人主义在商品社会中的极端发展，对社会的和谐与进步构成威胁，必须寻求另一种价值观来取得平衡。而孔子的学说恰好提倡以“礼”来处理人际关系及与自然的关系，对于和谐社会的构建大有益处。

There is also an increasing awareness of Confucianism in other parts of the world. This may be a result of various political, cultural, and environmental challenges due to China`s growing economic importance. As a result, the rise of individualism in the community has become a serious threat to social harmony and progress. A different set of values is needed as a counterbalance. Confucianism emphasizes "courtesy" and "respect" when dealing with people or nature so it should be very beneficial for building harmony in any society.

正如一位学者所说，21世纪的生存问题，必须回到25个世纪之前孔子的智慧中去寻求解决的答案。

A scholar once said that answers concerning our survival could be found in the wisdom of Confucius, even though he lived more than 25 centuries ago.

4. 中西医的差异Differences Between Chinese and Western Medicines

通常的中医以表里结合的方法，贯通诊疗、辩证施治。这就是为什么有人认为中医是全面的治疗方法。相反，西医依症下药。比如，如果病人觉得嗓子疼，西医会作为咽喉疾病来治，

而中医则可能会把它与病人的胃部紊乱联系起来。

Usually, a Chinese medicine practitioner approaches on the home and abroad perspective, emphasis its entirety and dialectical implications. This is why some people view it as a holistic medicine. In contrast, a Western doctor deals to recipe with symptoms. For instance, if someone has a sore throat, a Western doctor will treated it as a throat problem while a Chinese doctor may link it to the disorder of the patient’s stomach.

中医诊病讲究“望、闻、问、切”四法。西医则依靠症状观察和诊断证明，比如体温和其他检测结果。中医通过观察表征，比如舌苔的变化，来判断病人内脏的病情。相反，西医是基于对相应内脏的检查来判断病情的。进而通过检查体征来进一步确诊。西医采用化学药物和手术来治疗，而中医使用草药和针灸进行治疗。

A Chinese doctor examines its patients by using methods like observing, smelling , asking and feeling(望、闻、问、切). His Western counterparts rely on symptoms or evidence, like body temperature and lab tests. A Chinese doctor determines the problem of patients’ interior organs through observing very exterior signs such as complexion or the tongue. A Western doctor, on the other hand, makes his judgment based on the results of lab tests on the internal organs. He then reinforces its judgment by examining exterior symptoms. A Western doctor uses chemical-based medicines and surgery, but a Chinese doctor relies on some herb medicines and acupuncture.

中医一般会建议病人用西药进行急症治疗，而用中药进行调理康复治疗。从实际情况看，中医可能对于治疗一些病因不明的功能性疾病更加有效。

Usually a Chinese doctor will recommend Western medicine for intensive treatment and Chinese medicine for the recovery. In fact, Chinese medicine is probably more effective in treating some functional diseases, while the cause is difficult to discover.

5. 戏曲的作用The role of operas

在古代中国，戏曲是传播知识和道德教化的工具。戏曲多以历史事件、民间传说、古典小说为背景。戏曲宣扬的是传统价值观念和道德标准，比如惩恶扬善、忠贞不二。戏曲能够弥补教化的不足，特别是在农业社会。

In the traditional Chinese society, opera was used as vehicles to spread knowledge and ethical teachings. Most operas were based on historical events, folklore or classical novels. They promoted traditional values and moral principles such as punishing the evil and eulogizing the good, loyalty and kindness and denunciation of ungraceful. Operas were able to fill the gaps of education and teaching, especially in the agricultural society.

京剧是中国文化的精华。所以他成为外国友人来华的必看的项目。京剧作为传统艺术形式仍然吸引着大量的现代观众。京剧曲调舒缓、简单，有别具特色的服装和脸谱。京剧的服装明显受到明代服饰的影响：颜色多样，庄严肃穆。袖口处的甩袖在舞动时别有韵味。

Beijing Opera is the cream of the Chinese culture. As such it has become a must-see item to entertain foreigners. As a traditional art form, Beijing Opera remains appealing to a large group of Chinese audience. It is very slow and monotonous. Its costumes and facial masks are more attractive. It has real distinct Ming Dynasty influence on Beijing Opera costumes. They are colorful and majestic. Two long pieces of wide silk at the end of the sleeves create a graceful feeling during dancing.

不同的服装显示出人物社会地位的差别。尽管使用了同样的布料，皇亲贵胄的服饰上有更多的修饰，而穷人的服饰比较简单、较少装饰，这表现出他们社会等级的差异。现代的服装设计者也从京剧的服饰中汲取灵感。

Different styles of costumes are used to reflect the status of different characters. There are more decorations in the costumes of nobles, while those of the poor tend to be simple and less elemental, as the same materials are used for all costumes to ensure the desired hierarchical presentation. Present-day designers are also borrowing from Beijing Opera for their work.

脸谱反映出人物的品格。运用不同颜色来表现不同人物是一个重要手段。京剧有数千种脸谱，而每张脸谱都对应一个人物。从脸谱颜色可以辨出忠奸。一般来说，白色代表奸猾，黑色代表正义，黄色代表勇敢，蓝色和绿色代表反叛，金色和银色代表佛陀和神仙。

Facial masks can reflect qualities of different characters. Facial masks using different colors are important ways to portray a character. There are hundreds of different facial mask designs and each character has its own design. People can tell a hero from a villain by the colors of the masks. In general, white usually represents treachery, black represents righteousness, yellow represents bravery, blue and green represent rebellious fighters, while gold and silver represent Buddhism and divinity.

6. China’s Favorite Colors

中国人似乎很喜欢红黄两色，你看，中国国旗就是由这两种颜色组成的。很多重大场合或重要书籍的装帧总会用到这两种颜色。国庆节天安门广场摆放的花坛，也是以这两种颜色作主调。

Chinese people seem to like the red and yellow colors a lot. The two colors are used for the Chinese national flag. They are also the predominant colors for the cover design of some important books, as well as in the decorations for major events, such as the flower display in Tian’anmen Square during the National Day holidays.

Yellow:

中国人对色彩的好恶除了受地理、气候的影响外，也受到传统五行说的影响。从地理方面说，中国是个地域广阔的国家，北方寒冷，人们喜欢暖色；南方炎热，人们喜欢冷色。在暖色中，汉民族最崇尚黄色。这也许是因为汉民族的发源地是黄土高原，这个地域满目黄土之色。The color preferences of the Chinese people are influenced by the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth, in addition to geographical locations and weather. China is a huge and geographically diversified country. It is cold in the north so people there like warm colors. But it is just the opposite in the south. Of all the warm colors, the Han people like yellow especially. Maybe because the Hans originated in the Yellow River Plateau, a region where yellow was the prevailing color.

从五行说来看，金、木、水、火、土所代表的五色分别是白、青、黑、赤、黄，其中黄为主色，位在中央。在中国古代社会，黄色是皇权的象征。在两千多年前的汉代，朝廷就确立了黄色的权威地位。从隋朝起，黄色成为皇家专用的颜色。皇帝的龙袍称作黄袍；皇帝的文告用黄纸写成，称黄榜；皇帝颁发的历书用黄纸印刷，称为黄历。

As far as the five elements are concerned, the corresponding colors are white, green, black, red, and yellow. Yellow is the predominant color and is situated in the center of the diagram. Yellow was also the color representing the imperial court in traditional China. It was established as the authoritative color representing the Emperor during the Han Dynasty more than 2000 years ago. During the Sui Dynasty, yellow was officially designated as the exclusive color for the imperial family. It was used in the Emperor’s clothes, the paper on which the Emperor published his decrees, and the calendar that was printed by the Imperial Court.

Red:

中国人也非常喜欢红色。中国在过去一直被称为赤色国度。至今，中国人还称呼自己为“赤子”，意思是红色的后代。

Chinese people also like the red color a lot. China used to be called the red country in the past. Even now, Chinese people like to refer ourselves to Chizi, meaning the red descendant.

在古代，红色表示故土和权威。唐朝的官服就是红色的。在清朝不同形状的红翎子被用在不同的官服上表示品阶。时至今日，官方文件的标题仍然用红色，所以被称为红头文件。Traditionally, red represents the motherland and authority. Official uniforms of the Tang Dynasty were red. In the Qing Dynasty, different shades of red were used on official caps to show different ranking. Even nowadays, headlines of official documents are still painted in red. This is why they are called red-head documents.

中国老百姓也特别重视红色，因为它象征福气。比如，婚礼上要使用红色的“双福”字，新娘要穿红色嫁衣。而在西方的婚礼上，新娘穿白色的晚礼服。在春节期间，人们给孩子们派装了钱的红包表达良好祝愿。门的两侧要贴上红色的对联。即便挂在门上的门神钟馗也是红色的。

Red is also a highly-regarded color among ordinary people, because it represents happiness. For example, the character Double-Happiness used for weddings is red. The bride wears red clothes, which is different from the white gowns of the west. During the Chinese Spring Festival, people will give Hongbao or red packets with money inside to the children as well wishes. Couplets hanging on both sides of the doors are written in red. Even the outfit of Zhongkui, the door god whose portrait is hung on the door is red.

中文的红表示美好。“红颜”，指红颜色，也指漂亮的姑娘。“红”也是中国女孩子的名字中被使用最多的字。

The meaning of Red equals prettiness in Chinese. The expression ‘Hong Yan’ meaning red color is a synonym of a beautiful girl. Red is also one of the most popular character used in the names of Chinese women.

7. The Importance of Chopsticks筷子的重要性

在17世纪，英国商人听说中国有1亿人，打算去中国卖勺子。他想即便每个勺子只卖一个便士，他仍然可以赚一大笔钱。但是他没有成功。中国人使用筷子，不用勺子。

In the 17th century when the British businessman heard that there were one hundred million people

in China, he was determined to go there and sell spoons. He thought even if a spoon would only sell for one penny, he would still make a fortune. But he didn’t succeed. The Chinese people use chopsticks not spoons.

有很多关于与西方的刀叉相当的中国筷子的起源研究。一种理论认为，过去的中国是农业社会，主要以植物为食，筷子用起来很方便。相反，西方人以游牧为主，以肉类为食，所以刀叉很好用。还有人认为，中国的工业不发达，所以认为用木制的筷子；西方是工业社会，所以使用金属餐具。

Some people did some research on the origin of China’s chopsticks compared to the knife and fork in the west. One theory has it that China was an agricultural society and relied on vegetables for food. Chopsticks were very convenient to those for eating. The westerners, on the other hand, were nomads and lived on meat. The knife and fork were more practical. Others believe that China didn’t have much industry and therefore people use chopsticks made of wood. The west was an industrial society, so their eating utensils were made of metal.

不管为什么中国人用筷子而西方人用刀叉，这都是两者的文化差异的结果。中国文化以合为中心，强调大同与和谐。西方文化强调个人主义。在吃的方面，筷子和刀叉代表了两种不同的文化。中国人喜欢大家在同一碗中夹菜，一起吃。筷子的使用避免了有些人吃的比其他人多。这样不仅很好地保持的合众思想，也避免了个人主义行为。西方人自己用自己的餐，因此没有限制吃饭的方式。

Whatever the reasons why the Chinese use chopsticks and westerners use knife and fork, it is a result of their respective cultures. Chinese culture is developed around collectivism, which stresses communion and harmony. The western culture emphasizes individualism. In terms of eating customs, chopsticks and knives and forks are two desperate expressions of this cultural difference. The Chinese like to have communal meals where everybody eats out of the same bowl of food. Chopsticks were used in order to discourage people from eating more than others. This was not only a good way to preserve collectiveness, but also to limit individualism. Westerners eat their meals on their own, and there’s no restriction on how to eat.

而且，中国的用餐礼仪非常严格。要尊重老人。用餐时，每个人都要等老人开始吃才能动筷子。西方人就简单地说声“请自便”就开始吃了。这就缺少了中国餐桌的火热气氛。

In addition, table manners are very strict during the Chinese meal. Respect has to be given to the elderly. Each time a dish is served, everyone has to wait until the elder person starts. The westerners will simply say “Help yourself” to start. This lacks the warm atmosphere which prevails at the Chinese dinner.

8. The Elegance of Tea-Drinking茶的格调

在古典小说中，如果有人大碗喝茶来解渴，会被说是“饮”，就像喂牲口喝水。有学问的人使用精致的茶杯喝茶，被称为“品”。

In classical novels, if someone drinks tea out of a big cup to quench his thirst, the character used to illustrate this action is "yin (drink)", like a cow drinking water. Scholars would use fine cups to drink tea and the character to use is "pin (savour)".

品茶是一项复杂的休闲活动。先要有环境。在古代，品茶要在清泉流过大理石的地方，或者在春色蒙蒙的禅院里，又或者在日落时分的林中。现在，为了达到这样的气氛，茶室经常以国画、书法或古式家具作为装饰，旁边有一位身着古装的女子弹着古筝。

Tea drinking is a very sophisticated pastime. It starts with the environment. In the past, tea drinking should take place in a setting where "spring water runs on marbles" or "in a monastery in misty spring" or "in the woods during sunset." Nowadays, in order to recreate such an ambience, tea houses are always decorated with traditional paintings, calligraphy and furniture, with a girl in traditional costume playing the Guzheng, a traditional Chinese musical instrument.

过去，人们用铁壶煮茶，纸袋装茶叶，瓷杯子喝茶。水是来自头年梅花枝头的雪，融化了之后用瓦罐埋在地下储存的。现在，人们使用各种各样的茶具，最受欢迎的宜兴茶壶。由于环境污染没有人再收集雪水了，人们采用白开水代替。

In the old days, people used iron kettles to boil water. Tea was placed in a paper bag. Porcelain cups were used for drinking. The water came from melted snow which was collected from plum blossom trees the previous winter and stored underground in a jar. Today people use different tea sets but the most popular ones are the pots made in Yixing. No one collects snow any more because of pollution so people use bottled water instead.

茶有很多种类，红茶、绿茶、乌龙茶、普洱茶等。前三种茶的加工方法相同，但是普洱茶与它们完全不同。普洱茶中有一种益生真菌。这种真菌在茶叶加工好之后会自行发酵。这就是为什么年代越久的普洱茶越珍贵。

Tea has categories: red tea, green tea, Wulong tea and Pu'er tea, to name a few. The first three types of tea area processed using similar methods but Pu'er tea uses a totaly different method. It contains a kink of fungus which is believed to be healthy. The fungus will ferment on its own after the tea is processed. This is why expensive Pu'er tea is always quite old.