Essay: History of Chinatown

The story of Chinatown is the story of a neighborhood, an immigrant neighborhood, where the old country still lives inside the new one. The past and the present are inseparably woven together in this neighborhood defined by Broadway, California, Kearny and Powell streets. In the mid-1840’s, following defeat by Britain in the first Opium War, a series of natural catastrophes occurred across China resulting in famine, peasant uprisings and rebellions. The Chinese were met with ambiguous feelings by Californians. In 1850, San Francisco Mayor John W. Geary invited the “China Boys” to a ceremony to acknowledge their work ethic. However, as the American economy weakened, the Chinese labor force became a threat to mainstream society. Racial discrimination and repressive legislation drove the Chinese from the gold mines to the sanctuary of the neighborhood that became known as Chinatown. The success and survival of Chinatown depended a great deal on the family and district benevolent associations which served as political and social support systems to newcomers. The members strove to meet the basic needs of the community, and represented a united voice in the fight against discriminatory legislation process.
Oldest chinatown:
The oldest Chinatown is in Bonondo (Philippines) Founded in 1594, Binondo was created by Spanish Governor Luis Pérez Dasmariñas as a permanent settlement for Chinese immigrants. The Spanish gave a land grant for Binondo to a group of Chinese merchants and artisans in perpetuity, tax-free and with limited self-governing privileges.
Description of one Chinatowns of my choice:
Chinatown New York, New York’s Chinatown is the largest of Chinatowns in the United States. They have the largest Chinese population and civilization on the western side of the hemisphere. Chinatown is located on the lower portion of Manhattan. It consists of two square miles of shops, homes, restaurants, and much more for the Chinese community. The buildings in Chinatown today are the same buildings built throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Rent on some of the apartments and store fronts in Chinatown are some of the highest rates in the city due to their new building of luxury housing throughout their community. The buildings in Chinatown are now tightly packed in together, but the blocks have expanded to add more room for the constantly growing Chinatown.
Research on history of Chinese New
The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival as it’s been called since the 20th century, remains the most important social and economic holiday in China. It is unclear when the exact beginning of the New Year celebration in China is. Normally, it was said to start from the year end religious ceremony during the Shang Dynasty 1766  – 1122 Before Christos. To tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the “Year”. The “Year” looks like an ox with a lion head and inhabits in the sea. At the night of New Year’s Eve, the “Year” will come out to harm people, animals, and properties. Later, people found that the “Year” fears the color red, fire, and loud sounds. Though the holiday is only about a week-long, traditionally it is a 15-day holiday during which firecrackers are lit, drums can be heard on the streets, red lanterns glow at night, and red paper cutouts and calligraphy hangings are hung on doors. Celebrations conclude on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival.
Children are also given red envelopes with money inside. Many cities around the world also hold New Year parades complete with a dragon and lion dance.
Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar has a year 12 or 13 months. The months have twenty-nine days or 30 days. Seven times in the nineteen years an extra thirteenth month inserted.
The beginning of a month is determined by perception, usually involving quite a few years ahead, but the calendar is not, however, fully forward.
The Chinese year starts on the second new moon after the winter solstice December 21.
The days and months of the Chinese calendar have no names, but are numbered from 1 to 7 (Monday is the first day, Tuesday the second, etc.) and from 1 to 12 (month 1, month 2, etc.). In a leap year is a thirteenth not numbered month. The place of this extra month depends on the movements of the Sun through the signs of the Zodiac, as in the Hindu calendar.
Since the time of the first, mythical, Yellow Emperor in 2697 BC (the year 0 for the Chinese), the Chinese calendar from a cycle of sixty years, each with its own name. This is done by two rows of names used cyclically. The first row contains the five elements: wood, fire, Earth, metal and water. The second row of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac: goat, monkey, chicken, dog, pig, rat, Buffalo, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, snake and horse.
The 12 animals of the zodiac.
This is the most widespread legend about Chinese zodiac. The cat and the rat were good friends and neighbors. When they heard of this news, the cat said to the rat: ‘We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late.’ The rat then promised to awaken his friend and go together. However, on the morning when he got up, he was too excited to recall his promise, and went directly to the gathering place. On the way, he encountered the tiger, ox, horse, and other animals that ran much faster. In order not to fall behind them, he thought up a good idea. He made the straightforward ox carry him on condition that he sang for the ox. At last, the ox and he arrived first. The ox was happy thinking that he would be the first sign of the years, but the rat had already slid in front, and became the first lucky animal of the Chinese zodiac. Meanwhile his neighbor the cat was too late so when it finally arrived, the selection was over. That’s why other animals appear behind the little rat and why the cat hates the rat so much that every time they meet, the cat will chase and kill it.
• People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease.
• People born in the Year of Ram are elegant and highly accomplished in the arts. They seem to be, at first glance, better off than those born in the zodiac’s
other years.
• People born in the Year of the Horse are popular.
They are cheerful, skillful with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much.
• People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate.
• People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn.
They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust.
• People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are
virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste.
• Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however Other
People have great respect for them.
• People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others.
• People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals.
• Studious and gallant with tremendous inner strength. Will not retreat from goals. Quiet, but always well informed.
• People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people´s confidence because they know how to keep secrets.
• People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail.