Y is for Yin and for Yang

For years and years I've looked at versions of this illustration and called it a symbol for yin and yang, and, yes, in a way it is.  However on the card, if you can decipher the writing, it says it is Taiji, a complex philosophical perm meaning the Supreme Ultimate.

To add to the confusion, if you like, in the west we tend to use the word Taiji (or T'ai Chi) to describe the martial art which should more correctly be called Taijiquan (or T'ai chi ch'uan), or Supreme Ultimate Fist.

Yin and yang come into it because they demonstrate how apparent opposites can in fact be complementary and depend on each other.  This is central to the principles of Taijiquan where students are taught to meet brute force with softness.

The wording on the card has been taken almost directly from Wikipedia.  The card is one published by an on-line company, taobao.com, popular in China.

X is for Xinjiang

Xinjiang is a province in the north west of China, close to Mongolia and Kazhakstan. It contains the Tianshan mountains which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2013 because of their untouched beauty and contrasts, along with being the habitat for a number of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.

The caption on the reverse of the card reads, "The Spring of Tianshan Mountains - Zhaosu Army Horse Breeding Farm". It is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever received, very large though at 23 x 11.5 cm (9 x 4.5 in) and difficult to store safely.

Map of China

A recently arrived map of China. I am very taken witht he different patterns for what I assume are different provinces of China.  It would have been nice if there had been a key.

The horse drawn carriages of Emperor Qin Shihuang

I had heard of the Terracotta Army, I suppose most people have, but I hadn't realised until I received this card that there was much more to it than the name implies - terracotta soldiers.  There is indeed the army of 6000 or so soldiers but that is just in Pit 1 of the excavated sites.  There are three other pits, the second containing cavalry and chariots, and the third is a command post.  The fourth is empty.

It is said that going to China and not seeing the Terracotta Army is like going to Egypt and missing the pyramids.

The card shows one of the two carriages excavated from the site.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Made for Postcrossing

I've noticed quite often recently cards which have been specifically produced for Postcrossing, and this is one of them.  On the reverse there is a box printed and clearly labelled (if rather small) "Postcard ID".  I can think of no other reason for a postcard ID.

As you can see, it's from China and appears to be an impression of Beijing, with vendors and crowds of people.

West Chamber - Lovesickness

A card from China which arrived in an envelope shows part of the Story of the Western Wing. also known as the Romance of the West Chamber.  This is a very well known and ancient Chinese tale based on a version dating from the 7th century. The scene shown is called "Lovesickness".

The reason the card was in an envelope because inside was this wonderful stamp book:

I couldn't show it all in once because it's longer than my scanner.  It appears to be the story of travelling tadpoles, searching for their mother.  After visiting a shrimp, a goldfish, a crab and a tortoise, they find their mother in the final step.

In my search for information about the stamps, I found a site that may be useful for identifying Chinese stamps because you can search for them by category (architecture, flowers etc.) as well as by date of issue.

This is a post for Sunday Stamps, now hosted by Violet Sky at "See it on a Postcard!"

The Great Wall of China

Two views from the Great Wall of China, built east to west along the northern borders of China in 206 BC.  In spite of persistent claims, it isn't visible from outer space.  However it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The top postcard shows the wall at Jinshanling, one of the best preserved sections.  The bottom postcard shows the Wangjinglou Tower, built at the highest part of the Wall.

Map and stamps from China

I've been trying to look through all my map cards - I have a LOT of them - but can't find any others of China.  I'm almost certain this is the first one I have been sent that is a map of a part of China, sent from China.  It is the Shichai district of Beijing, popular with tourists because of the three lakes and an abundance of temples and residences.

It came with equally wonderful stamps.  The problem I have with Chinese stamps is that I frequently can't tell what they represent though they are almost always very beautiful.  This time, though, I do recognise the Wulingyuan scenery, second from the left.

This is a post for Sunday Stamps, now hosted by Violet Sky at "See it on a Postcard!"

Hongcun, Anhui

Hongcun is one of the two Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui, now inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.  There are only about 150 houses in the village but they date back to the 12th century and have preserved a remarkable water system which runs through every house in the whole village.  This is the second card I have received from this beautiful place.

Here, on the river's verge, I could be busy for months without changing my place, simply leaning a little more to right or left. 
- Paul Cezanne

Chinese opera performer

There are many different forms of Chinese opera, the most famous being the Beijing opera.  As this card was bought in Hong Kong although sent from Shanghai in China, I assume that it shows Cantonese opera.  It shows one of the most common style, the white and red face.

The foundation is white and the red colour from around the eyes fades down the cheeks towards the chin.  The make-up can denote certain characteristics.  The headdress too, has significance because it can denote status and age, while the hairstyle can show the character's emotions.

I'd be delighted to be able to see a Chinese opera for the make-up and costumes alone.

This is a post for Postcard Friendship Friday hosted on Beth Niquette's blog, The Best Hearts are Crunchy.  Just click on the button to visit and join in.

On this first day of the Month of Letters, my first envelope is on its way to the Netherlands, containing a handmade postcard.  There won't be too many handmade cards going out - it takes me forever!

Temple of Heaven, Beijing

An unusual view of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing was sent to me from China, at least it's unusual in that I've only ever seen parts of the temple complex before and this view shows most of it.  The grounds cover nearly 3 square kilometres.

The structures are highly symbolic with heaven being represented by circles and earth by squares. Heaven is also represented in the blue roof tiles of all the buildings.  The number nine represents the emperor and can be found in the nine plates and nine rings surrounding the Circular Mound Altar.

The complex is a UNESCO World heritage Site for its influence on Chinese architecture and importance in the evolution of the Chinese civilisation.

Afternoon garden

Rather mysteriously titled "Afternoon garden", this card comes from China.  It looks so beautifully peaceful.

Map of Barcelona metro

I've had a few postcards arriving recently with what I call mismatches between the country sending and the actual image on the card.  This is one of the most recent, sent from China but showing a transport map, probably a metro system - in Barcelona.  It took a magnifying glass to get that far, though if I'd looked at the back first I might have found it easier...

I don't think this is a card picked up on holiday, in fact I'm sure it isn't.  There is a .cn website mentioned.  Perhaps a Spanish metro system seems more exotic as a postcard.

Alice in Wonderland

I usually favour traditional designs and illustrations for books I read as a child, I suppose mainly because they are familiar to me.  However I'm prepared to make an exception in this case.  The postcard was sent to me from China but it seems the deign came from Korea.

Rhodes or somewhere

Although the card was sent to me from China, after a lot of digging around the internet, I'm fairly sure this is a map of Rhodes drawn by Konrad von Grünenberg in his description of a journey from Kontantz to Jerusalem in the 15th century.

You can see a much larger version here.  I find it amazing that something like that can survive for 600 or so years.  I somehow doubt my postcard will make it that long.

Southern Gate, Wulingyuan Scenery

Another in my selection of cards showing the fantastic scenery of the Wulingyuan scenic and historic interest area in China.  This one, called the Southern Gate, gives an idea of the scale of things - there is a small figure at the bottom right.

Previous cards have shown:
Yunqing Terrace
Fairy presenting flowers
Warrior training a horse
No. 1 Bridge under heaven (my favourite of all the names).

A wedding in Wuzhen

The Venice of the East, Wuzhen, is a village that grew up at the junction of two rivers.  It used to be an important transport crossroad and very prosperous.  Now tourism is the major source of income.  It has recently been renovated and rebuilt in the traditional style.

The back of the card has the single word "wedding" in English and there does appear to be a wedding procession crossing the stone bridge.  In a traditional Chinese wedding, though there are many variations, the groom would send a sedan chair to collect the bride whose feet must not touch the bare ground.  She would wear a red scarf to make sure she didn't see any evil along the way.  Red symbolises joy and good fortune, while yellow/gold symbolises good luck and freedom from care.

Potala Palace, Tibet

I would give a very great deal to be able to see this place in person but as it is I must be very thankful for this postcard, which arrived almost entirely unscathed through the postal service.

The magnificent building you can see is the Potala Palace built by the fifth Dalai Lama.  The White Palace was completed in 1648 and the Red Palace in 1694 but, before these, there was already a palace known as Potala, and earlier still there are legends of a sacred cave used in meditation by Emperor Songsten Gampo. The finished building has 13 storeys and is 117 metres high.

It almost goes without saying that it inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

No. 1 Bridge under Heaven

The No. 1 Bridge under Heaven, also known as Bridge Across the Sky, Bridge Under the Sun or Tianxia Diyi Qiao, can be found in the Wulingyuan Scenery of the Hunan province in China.

The bridge, a naturally occurring stone arch, is approximately 360 metres above ground and 40 metres long.  There are paths up to it and across but I think I'd prefer to admire from a safe distance.  I have no head for heights.

It's easy to see why this whole area of spectacular scenery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Not only is it scenically amazing, but it's also home to a number of endangered species.

Click on the button to visit Jocelyn's cuckootree to take part in Our Wonderful World Tuesday.

Fantastic view

The writing you may just be able to see says "Fantastic view of Xingping", and a fantastic view it is.  The people who live in the town of Xingping, once the largest along the river Li, pride themselves on living in the most beautiful place in the world, and they do have a point.

The various peaks all have descriptive names and stories attached.  The town itself is at the foot of Five Fingers Hill, while others are called Camel Hill, Snail Hill, Pen Holder Hill, and so on.  Two are said to look like a nun and monk arguing,