Antique Table Lamps and the Eight Immortals
by Maurice Robertson
Every age and every society has its saints and sages and with its long history, China has produced a great number, some so ancient, as to be lost, except for the echo.
One of the great Chinese philosophies is Taoism, the founder of Taoism is believed by many to be Lao-Tzu (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of Confucius. He was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his lifetime. The result was his great teaching, the Tao Te Ching. Many believe however, that whoever Lao-Tzu was, he is probably a mythical character, symbolizing the combined great wisdom teachings of the era.
Central to religious Taoism are the eight spiritual beings known as the “eight immortals” (Xian in Chinese) and perhaps intended to be allegorical, these super-humans or perfect persons (chin jean) came to be worshipped and emulated by Taoists. These perfect beings dwell far away in an untroubled place, where they experience an effortless existence of physical freedom. They are ageless, eat nothing but air, drink nothing but dew, and enjoy the power of flight, they truly exemplify the Taoist virtue of spontaneity and spiritual transcendence.
These powerful eight beings are said to have been born in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) or Song Dynasty (960-1279). . Among the Eight Immortals, a number seem to have had actual historical existences. They were “real people.” Nevertheless, the many stories that have accumulated, describing the magical and mysterious lives of these immortals, make it well-nigh impossible to distinguish historical from mythological reality.
The eight Immortals frequently appear in Chinese literature, mythology and art and each has a symbol and special power. As a group, they are associated symbolically with good fortune as well as the “eight conditions of life”, youth, age, poverty, wealth, high rank, and common people, feminine and masculine. Today, the eight immortals represent the hope for long life and abundant good fortune in the present world.
The immortals are said to live on the mythical island of the blessed, or, Penglai Shan, It is said to be surrounded by water so weak that it will not hold a ship, yet they alone can walk across it. They are always shown together in artwork except maybe, on rare occasions, in Chinese Opera.
Each of the immortals is represented with his / her attribute. The eight immortals are.
Zhongli Quan who is represented as a fat hermit. With his feather fan he can bring the dead back to life. He has is the secret of longevity.
Zhang Guo Lao is an old man that carries a bamboo tube drum. The purpose of this drum is to announce his arrival. He rides a white donkey and has the power of invisibility.
Lu Dongbin, across his back he wears a magic sword used to slay dragons and demons. In his hand he carries a fly brush. He is said to have traveled the earth for over 400 years slaying dragons.
Li Teiguai walks with a crutch and is famous for carrying a smoking gourd. It is said the smoke from it can pull the spirit right from your body.
Han Xiangzi is famous for the lute he carries. He can make flowers bloom with his music, and soothe the wild animals. He is the patron deity of musicians.
Ts’ao Kuo-ghin,the finest dressed of the Eight Immortals. He is always shown wearing formal court dress and carrying castanets.
Lan Caihe carries a basket of flowers. She is the second woman amongst the Immortals and is always shown wearing a tattered blue gown and only one shoe. This immortal can be represented as both male and female.
He Xiangu, the last of the immortals, is a young girl; she carries with her a magical Lotus flower. She is the second of the two female Immortals; and was brought into the group of Immortals by Lu Dong-Bin after he rescued her from a demon with his magic sword.
China, no matter what the current trend, rarely gives up its much loved ancient heroes and the eight immortals are high on the list of much loved, by example, Why is the number 8 considered lucky by the Chinese? This has a lot to do with these immortals, or, in the words of Shelley, “as if their nature were resolved into the surrounding universe, or as if the surrounding universe were resolved into their being.”
The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique table lamp lighting with an on-line range of over 100 unique, antique and vintage lamps on view. Lamps are shipped ready wired for the U.S, the U.K and Australia. For more information you are invited to visit their web site at -:http://www.antiquelampshop.com(c) The Antique and Vintage Table ampc Co 2009
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How Regular Street Flushing Helps Keep The Roads And Your Home Clean
by Nir Dotan
Even cities with the most disciplined citizens can find their roads dirty with debris, garbage and dust. Residents in urban areas really benefit from regular street sweeping and street flushing.
Debris, trash, road dusts and other small dirt from the road are removed through regular street cleaning. These different dirt and debris would have otherwise been washed into storm drains, possibly blown by the wind into your garden and your home. Big debris that is washed into the storm drains can even clog catch basins.
Street flushing involves flusher trucks that use strong water pressures to remove debris from the road onto the side of the curb. The dirt and debris are then removed from the curb using a vacuum sweeper. This process of street flushing keeps the roads clean not just for aesthetic purposes but for environmental purposes as well. Roads should be kept clean with street flushing because keeping the roads litter-free also means keeping the roads clean keeps the roads safe for users. Street flushing also helps maintain good air quality and prevents the debris and other pollutants on the road from reaching surface waters through the storm drains and the city sewer system.
Street flushing is also important in urban areas such as the Greater Toronto Area during the Spring Thaw. This is when the snow from winter melts and all the debris and the dirt in the snow are left on the roads. The debris does not only make the roads look ugly but they can be hazardous to drivers too. Roads should be kept clean and clear for them to be safe to pedestrians and drivers.
Street flushing also helps in keeping homes in the GTA clean. In certain areas where there are industrial zones, the dusts and the dirt on the roads can get more severe. All the dust and the dirt in the road can get blown into the homes. When the roads are not kept clean, you can expect that you will need to have your air filters and the filters on your air-conditioning unit cleaned more often.
When the roads are cleaned regularly, then there are lesser dusts not just on the road but also in the air. Dusts that are less than ten microns in size can still contain toxic substances. This means that aside from those who have respiratory problems who have trouble breathing when there is too much dust in the air, other people can experience health problems too.
There are plenty of reasons the roads can get dirty and if the roads and the surrounding areas in your home are dirty then your home can easily get dirty too. You home can get dirty not just through the wind but through the dirt on your shoes, the dirt your pets bring in, etc.
When the roads are kept clean, there really are great benefits to the residents of Ontario and the other places in the Greater Toronto Area. This why it is important for the cities to have a good street flushing program and why private companies and industries should also participate in keeping the streets and even the parking spaces clean. Industries should also implement best practices to prevent fugitive dusts from getting released into the roads. Store spaces and companies should hire parking lot sweepers.
Nir Dotan Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of cutting edge companies such as http://www.theroadcleaners.com/
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Get the Best Decking and Flooring in Phoenix
by John Waters
Is your outdoor decking on its last leg? Do you wish you had beautiful outdoor flooring that is the envy of friends and guests? This article will provide you with tips on how to get the best decking and flooring in Phoenix. Whether you’re looking to replace your existing decking or have one put in, the following information will be beneficial to you and will help you avoid costly mistakes.
Your deck or patio should be an extension of your home. In Phoenix, you and your family can enjoy a deck year ’round - it should be a space as livable as any of your indoor rooms! Whether you’re looking for a quiet, romantic area to enjoy your evenings or a place to entertain friends, we will work with you to design a space that suits your needs.
You can easily get perfect decking or flooring in Phoenix! Start by assessing your current space and then think about your wants, needs and budget. Hire professional designers to create a custom drawing that shows the basic layout of your new deck or patio. From there, it’s all up to the imagination.
There are many options that can be built in to your deck or patio. Some of the design elements you can include are:
- Decks of simple or sophisticated design made from wood or composite materials
- Patios of any design or material (wood, stone, etc.)
- Pool and spa patios and decks with water features
- Brick entrances and driveways
You can even incorporate additions like an outdoor kitchen, outdoor firepits, extra seating, a pool - anything that will help to create a true outdoor living environment for you, your family and your friends. By using high-grade materials and quality workmanship, you can enjoy your deck or patio for years to come.
Getting the best decking and flooring in Phoenix is really as simple as a three-step process: budget, design and implementation. By defining how much you want to spend, planning out what you’d like to see in your design and choosing someone to help you implement your ideas, you’ll be amply prepared when the time comes to start the project.
Once you have a budget in mind, you’ll want to spend some time defining your unique needs and wants so that you can get the most out of your decking and flooring. If you haven’t done so already, spend some time looking through various designs online or in magazines. Check out what your friends and family have done in their yards. You may think you know exactly what you want but the more you see, the more ideas you’ll have and the more comfortable you will feel with your final decision moving forward.
Once you have a basic design in mind, you’ll need to choose a professional decking and flooring landscape designer in Phoenix that will work with you on implementing your ideas. There are many factors that go into choosing the right company and you need to prioritize what is most important to you. In addition to things like price and time to completion, you should also take into consideration things like how long the company has been in business, how many workers they employ, if they have received any awards or special recognition in the area, what kind of warranty or guarantees they offer and if they have follow-up or maintenance plans. These things are very important when it comes to choosing a professional decking and flooring landscape designer in Phoenix, so make sure you cover all points. After that, you’ll have beautiful decking and flooring in no time!
John Waters is the Owner of Creative Environments Design and Landscape, the largest and most respected landscape design company in Arizona. Visit us at http://www.creativeenvironments.com
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Street Sweeping Right Outside Your Home Helps The Environment
by Nir Dotan
There are many factors that are important if one wants to live in a healthy environment. People know about the basics of healthy living such as proper food intake as well as exercise. We all know what we basically have to do in order to live a long and fruitful life but sometimes more is needed and some of these things are not exactly in our radar right now. One of the most important things that we need to remember to do is street sweeping. Understandably, a lot of people think that this is something that does not need to be done. They think that there is no point in performing sweeping the streets because it would still become dirty and therefore all the effort would just go to waste. While there may be some truth in this, this does not mean that street sweeping must not be done and that it does not have any benefits whatsoever to require such effort.
In Ontario, people understand that it takes more than the basic stuff to live a healthier life. If one were to sweep the street in front of their house, this could already have some benefit especially for the lungs of the people in their neighborhood. This is because the presence of dust particles will be lessened to some degree and a lot of people have some lung problems because of dust and dust mites. Aesthetically there would be a lot of help as well. Removing all the dead leaves and numerous pieces of litter from the streets can make the place look much better.
In Ontario, street sweeping is a must as well. GTA is particularly a highly populated area in this province and along with the increasing number of people, there is also an increase in number of garbage. The importance of street sweeping can be highlighted during a heavy downpour. Moira river can rise to a level that can flood a lot of parts in Ontario and while this cannot be helped, clogged drainages can only exacerbate the problem. If street sweeping is not performed regularly, the sewer system can clog up and increase further the flood waters.
Thus it is important to regularly sweep the streets of garbage, leaves and whatever that could block to easy passage of water. Street sweeping does not seem to be important most of the time because floods are not that common in Ontario or in GTA. However, this should not mean that people can put their guards down. They should understand the necessity of street sweeping and the benefits of such practice on the inhabitants of Ontario. There are many ways to perform street sweeping. In a lot of places, the local government provides this service. There are compact street sweeping machines and workers who are hired as street sweepers as well.
However, this should not mean that people should just leave everything to the local government to perform a task that would ultimately benefit them. One can perform such task on their own little way by simply taking care that which is in his immediate vicinity. Our homes become cleaner to because of it as the dust and garbage would not get into our houses. Health is important and for that we should do our part.
Nir Dotan Nir Dotan is a writer and promoter of cutting edge companies such as http://www.theroadcleaners.com/Serving_The_Greater_Toronto_Area
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Common Acne In Teenagers
by May Tan
Acne is considered pimples, zits, blackheads, and whiteheads. These are all part of the same irritating ailment that affects so many, especially teenagers. In fact, many people consider acne the most irritating thing about puberty. At a time when teenagers tend to be very self conscious and are going through physical changes, cracking voices, menstrual cycles, facial hair, and hair growing in strange places, these darn pimples come along to make things even more complex. Where in the world do they come from?
Common acne is officially known as acne vulgaris. This blemish producing blight is caused by multiple factors. During puberty the body produces an excess of the male hormone testosterone. Also, female menstrual cycles cause changes in the body that throw the hormone balance a bit out of whack. Add to this the other changes in the adolescent body that begins the process of turning them into adults, and acne is on its way. Much of the problems caused by acne come from the bacteria that is normally present on skin, a staff like bacteria that grows in abundance, especially in clogged pores filled with dead skin cells.
Other things can cause acne as well, or make it worse. Exposure to too much chlorine can cause a long lasting and nasty type of acne, and use of anabolic steroids can cause acne, in addition to many other health problems that they can cause.
For many years people thought that acne was caused by poor hygiene, and kids would scrub their faces raw in an effort to open up pores and get rid of pimples and blackheads. That actually may make the problem worse by damaging the skin. Also for many years people thought that certain foods would make some people more prone to acne. Fried foods were blamed, as was chocolate. This may have been a natural assumption. Teenagers often eat candy bars and other chocolate foods. Also teenagers tend to be fans of fried foods, such as hamburgers, French fries, tator tots, fish and chips, and fried chicken. Many people associated oily skin with greasy foods, but there is no medical or scientific connection. Acne is a nasty, but natural part of growing up.
Most people outgrow acne as their bodies change and puberty ends. In fact, by the time most people reach their twenties they are through with the ravages of acne. For a few people it may hang on longer, but for the vast majority of people it is a temporary and passing thing. Time will cure most cases as a person passes into adulthood.
The types of acne blemishes are divided into two different categories, inflamed and non-inflamed. Non-inflamed blemishes are called blackheads or whiteheads. The whitehead is a clogged follicle that plugs the skin pore. The mass is made up of dead skin cells. The blackhead is in essence the same thing, but it has opened up and become oxidized, creating the darker tint. Many people think that blackheads come from dirt, but that is not the case.
Inflamed blemishes are those that are commonly call pimples or zits. These blemishes are usually reddish and look inflamed. The red pimple is classic. A bit more troublesome is the larger cyst. Pimples develop when a whitehead does not turn into a blackhead and plugs the pore so that it can be expelled. Instead the pore wall breaks down and becomes a repository for oil, dead skin cells, bacteria and other debris of the body. White blood cells congregate in the blemish to fight the infection, and form a puss substance, that can become painful. Everyone is familiar with pimples. The larger cyst can be even more painful, and it can flair up again and again and may require medical attention.
There are many misconceptions about acne. Some people think that the sun will cure acne and seek a suntan as a cure all. However, this has no positive effect, simply darkening the skin just makes pimples harder to see, and the side effects can be wrinkles and skin cancer in later life. However, there are many treatments available for acne that can lessen the impact it has on the lives of the victims. Many good over the counter remedies, natural remedies, and when needed prescription, drugs can help.
Learn how to get free sample of acne treatment products at http://www.acnetreatment-products.com
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