Facts About the Greek Mythological Creature Cyclops

Facts About the Greek Mythological Creature Cyclops The Cyclops were represented as strong, one-eyed giants in Greek mythology. Their name is also spelled Cyclopes, and, as usual with Greek words, the letter K may be used in place of the C. Pronunciation:  /saÉ ª.klaps/Also Known  As:  one-eyed giantsAlternate Spellings:  singular:  kyklops,  kuklops.   plural: cyclopes,  kyklopes,  kuklopes.Common Misspellings:  syclopsExamples:  When the volcano at Mt. Aetna smokes, it is, mythologically speaking, the result of the cyclops working at their forge. Who Were the Cyclops? According to the Greek epic poet Hesiod, the Cyclops were the sons of Uranus (Sky) and Gaia/Ge (Earth). Hesiod names the Cyclops Argos, Steropes, and Brontes. The Titans and Hecatonchires (or Hundred-handers), both known for their size, may have been other offspring of Uranus and Gaia. Even though Uranus was their father, he lacked paternal instincts. Instead, he had the nasty habit of keeping all his children imprisoned inside their mother, Gaia, who wasnt very happy about it. When the Titan Cronus decided to help his mother by overthrowing his father, Uranus, the Cyclops helped. But they were no better off with Cronus than Uranus. Instead of rewarding them for their assistance, Cronus imprisoned them in Tartarus, the   Greek Underworld. Zeus who, in turn, overthrew his own father (Cronus), set the Cyclops free. Since they were metal workers and blacksmiths, they repaid Zeus with a thank you gift of thunder and lightning. The Cyclops also gifted the gods Poseidon with a trident and Hades with the Helmet of Darkness. Their time in fortunes favor was limited, though. Apollo slew the Cyclops after they struck his son or were blamed for striking his son Asclepius with lightning. Pseudo-Hyginus, Astronomica 2. 15:Eratoshtenes says about the [constellation] Arrow, that with this Apollo killed the Cyclopes who forged the thunderbolt by which Aesculapius died. Apollo had buried this arrow in the Hyperborean mountain, but when Jupiter [Zeus] pardoned his son, it was borne by the wind and brought to Apollo along with the grain which at that time was growing. Many point out that for this reason it is among the constellations.Ut Eratosthenes autem de Sagitta demonstrat, hac Apollo Cyclopas interfecit, qui fulmen Iovi fecerunt, quo Aesculapium interfectum complures dixerunt. Hanc autem sagittam in Hyperboreo monte Apollinem defodisse. Cum autem Iuppiter ignoverit filio, ipsam sagittam vento ad Apollinem perlatam cum frugibus, quae eo tempore nascebantur. Hanc igitur ob causam inter sidera demonstrant. Cyclops as Described by Homer Besides Hesiod, the other major Greek epic poet and transmitter of Greek mythology was the storyteller we call Homer. Homers Cyclops are different from Hesiods, starting with their origin since they are the sons of Poseidon; however, they share with Hesiods Cyclops immensity, strength, and the single eye. The giant Polyphemus, whom Odysseus encounters in his ten-year return sea voyage from Troy, is a cyclops. Here are some passages from Theoi with less well-known information about the various Cyclops:​Tiryns Walls, by the CyclopsStrabo, Geography 8. 6. 11 :Now it seems that Tiryns [in the Argolis] was used as a base of operations by Proitos, and was walled by him through the aid of the Kyklopes, who were seven in number, and were called Gasterokheirai (Bellyhands) because they got their food from their handicraft, and they came by invitation from Lykia. And perhaps the caverns near Nauplia [in Argolis] and the works therein are named after them.TowersPliny the Elder, Natural History 7. 195 (trans. Rackham) :[On inventions :] Towers [were invented] by the Cyclopes according to Aristotle.In Dionysus War Against IndiaNonnus, Dionysiaca 14. 52 ff (trans. Rouse) :[Rhea summoned the rustic gods and spirits to join the army of Dionysos for his campaign against the Indian nation :] Battalions of Kyklopes came like a flood. In battle, these with weaponless hands cast hills for their stony s pears, and their shields were cliffs; a peak from some mountain-ravine was their crested helmet, Sikeloi (Sicilian) sparks were their fiery arrows [i.e. sparks from Mount Etna]. They went into battle holding burning brands and blazing with light form the forge they knew so wellBrontes and Steropes, Euryalos and Elatreus, Arges and Trakhios and proud Halimedes.

The impact of Burmese pythons on Floridas native biodiversity

The impact of Burmese pythons on Floridas native biodiversity Literature Review Southern Florida is famous for its subtropical climate and warmth. Although the region has developed a lot in recent years, there is still enough land left to accommodate thousands of animals and plants. Historically, Southern Florida has been home to diverse native species but lately, it has been invaded by native species that are proving hard to control (Carmichael Williams, 2006).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The impact of Burmese pythons on Floridas native biodiversity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the last few years, Python molurus bivittatus, popularly known as the Burmese python, has gained a lot of attention in Southern Florida. Managing the python’s population has proved futile and although its population is not supported well by existing scientific studies, so far more than 1,000 pythons have already been isolated from this region (Barker Barker, 2008). Burmese pythons a re mainly known to inhabit mangroves, lowlands, subtropical and tropical habitants within an area of 1200 meters. The pythons are overly dependent on bodies of water and wetlands and this remains by far their single most limiting factor (Baker Baker, 2008). Hundreds of native wildlife species have found a home in Florida’s Everglades National Park. In addition, the non-native Burmese pythons, which now scientists claim are a danger to native species, have established themselves in the national park. For the first time, scientists have undertaken a detailed analysis with a view to determining how the Burmese pythons could impact on a number of endangered native birds in Florida. They are also determined to assess the avian component of the Burmese python’s diet. Records show that the Burmese pythons moved to the Everglades from its native Southeast Asia region in 1979 (Baker Baker, 2008). Over the years, the species has increased in number and it is now estimated that there are tens of thousands of Burmese pythons in the region. Scientists from the South Florida Natural Resource Center, the Smithsonian institute and the University of Florida have undertaken studies to assess the predation behavior of the Burmese pythons on birds in the area. According to the findings, birds make up about 25 percent of the Burmese python’s diet. These birds include the endangered species as well (Dove et al, 2011, p. 127). Dove et al further contends that since the birds had not evolved in tandem with the Burmese python as a predator, in this respect, the python poses a great danger to the pollution of native birds within the region.Advertising Looking for report on biology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Between 2003 and 2008, a total of 343 Burmese python were collected by scientist in Everglades National Park. In their studies, the revealed that the intestinal tracts of eighty five of t he collected Burmese pythons contained bird remains. Using the collection specimen of bone fragments and feathers from the Smithsonian institute, the study identified more than 25 species of birds (Dove et al, 2011). Some of the varieties of birds revealed by the study include the limpkin and little blue heron. The two species are endangered. The study also identified the remains of another endangered species- the wood stork. The Burmese python is a real threat to conservation and control efforts because of its high reproduction rate. In addition, it consumes different species of birds and also tends to live longer (Dove et al, 2011, p. 127). The widespread and rapid invasion that characterizes the Burmese python is also believed to have been caused by its ability to adapt to diverse habitats, ability to move long distances, as well as a broader dietary preference (Snow et al, 2007). In comparison with the hatchlings of native species, those of the Burmese python tend to be much lar ger. They are also less susceptible to attacks by predators. Consequently, they can effectively compete with other predators for habitat, space, and food (Gibbons, 2011). There is a looming danger following the release of the pythons in the region since it is able to thrive in the Everglades, with its undisturbed and vast habitats. Although a larger population of the Burmese python is thought to occupy the ENP area, they have also been found to occupy more remote and new locations (Harvey et al, 2011). As competitors and predators, Burmese pythons remain a great threat to the wildlife within the South Florida region. A rising wild population of the Burmese pythons can cause great ecological problems in the region and also hinder efforts to successfully conserve the wildlife in the greater Everglades. Because Burmese pythons are excellent swimmers there is a growing concern that they could invade the Florida Keys area that is known to be biologically vulnerable. The dietary habits of the Burmese python also pose danger to indigo snakes as they compete for food. The federal and state governments have both identified this particular species as endangered (Reed, 2005, p. 256). There are also concerns that the human safety could be at risk. Although there lacks evidence to show that the species hunt humans, nonetheless, a number of Burmese python owners are believed to have been killed by these skins while in captive. There is also the danger that large Burmese snakes may stretch across the roads, thereby endangering the lives of motorists.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The impact of Burmese pythons on Floridas native biodiversity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Reference List Barker, D. G., Barker, T. M. (2008).The Distribution of the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus. Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc, 43(3):33–38. Carmichael, P., Williams, W. (2006). Floridas Fabulous Reptiles and Amp hibians.  Tenth edition. Hawaiian Gardens, CA: World Publications. Dove, C.J., Snow, R.W., Rochford, M.R., Mazzotti, F. J. (2011). Birds consumed by the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Wilson J. Ornithol. 123(1):126-131. Gibbons, J. (2011). Invasive Burmese pythons are taking a toll on Florida’s native birds. Web. Harvey, R. G., Brien, M. L., Cherkiss, M., Dorcas, M., Rochford, M., Snow, R. W., Mazzoti, F. J. (2008). Burmese pythons in South Florida: scientific support for invasive species management. Retrieved from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw286 Reed, R. N. (2005). An ecological risk assessment of nonnative boas and pythons as potentially invasive species in the United States. Risk Analysis, 25(3):753-7. Snow, R. W., Brien, M. L., Cherkiss, M. S., Wilkins, L., Mazzotti, F. J. (2007). Dietary habits of Burmese python, Python molurus bi vittatus, from Everglades National Park, Florida. Herpetological Bulletin, 101:5-7.Advertising Looking for report on biology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Domain Name System Security Extensions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Domain Name System Security Extensions - Essay Example It is a collection of extensions to DNS that offer the DNS clients origin verification of DNS data, data reliability and authenticated defiance of existence. When you spend some time on the Internet either sending an e-mail or browsing the Web, you make use of domain name servers without even recognizing it. DNS is an extremely important part of the internet but totally to the user. The DNS structure forms one of the principals and most vigorous distributed databases on the globe. With no DNS, the Internet would fail instantly, thus it must be properly maintained and the proper security system put in place to secure it from people with bad intentions. Similar to the majority of the early Internet protocols, DNS was not meant to bear it does nowadays. It was not made with an Internet-as-e-commerce stage in mind as it is today. It was too not made to deal with cache poisoning, phishers, farmers, denial-of-service attacks, spammers or any kind of scammer. DNS reached its twenty-fifth in 2008, and started showing its age with major flaws in the system. Mimoso (2008, p1) says DNS was made as a "modest" substitute of host tables that were applied in keeping track of network machines. The ending outcome was the DNS we have come to recognize and love: a protocol that interprets domain names into IP addresses. This is what was required back in January 1, 1983 when machines on the ARPANET were needed to change to the TCP/IP protocol. What's required today is DNSSEC, which help defend against various attack against DNS servers, be it enterprise servers or the root DNS servers that control the Internet and have double fruitfully been attacked. DNSSEC offers source authentication of DNS data, data reliability and genuine denial of existence, as per the project's website. Various problems have subdued widespread deployment, including issues with scalability and well-suitability with diverse DNS servers. It is generally believed that making the DNS safe is critically vital for securing the entire Internet; however implementation of DNSSEC particularly has been held back by the difficulty of working out a backward-compatible set that can scale to the range of the Internet, avoiding "zone enumeration" where necessary, positioning DNSSEC implementations over a wide range of DNS servers and clients, disparity among major players over who ought to own the Top Level Domains such as .com, .net and .org root keys and finally conquering the perceived complication of DNSSEC and DNSSEC operation. A number of these problems are in the course of being determined, and deployments in a range of domains have started to take place.

The Great Debaters Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Great Debaters - Movie Review Example One possible reason for the story not being well known is the basic character and foundational principles of Wiley College itself. From the historical description of the college the school’s basic character is unpretentious with a quiet demeanor preferring to be sublime and not one to seek the spotlight (cite). From its inception in 1873 emphasis and the primary focus of the school’s mission has been on offering a quality education in a environment in which developing the potential in the students has been the priority (Wiley College). 2. Farmer also says â€Å"We do what we have to do, so that we can do what we want to do.† What do you think that means? What things did the debate team â€Å"have to do"? What things did they gain the right to do? James Farmer, Sr. as a black man living in America during the 1930s had experienced the injustices of racism in his lifetime living in the south. Guessing his age in the movie between 35 and 40 he had lived and seen the plight and fight of black people who had only been removed roughly 70 years from slavery. Because of the short time blacks had freedom to make choices Farmer had come to the realization that in order to improve one’s self and others required continually enduring the ill treatment of society.

Research on Primark Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

On Primark - Research Paper Example Therefore, it is quite apparent that the research approaches and methods radically influence the research content. Research philosophy is a belief about the way in which data about a phenomenon should be gathered, analyzed and used. This thesis is a qualitative case study which focuses on an analysis of the HR policies prevailing in Primark. To carry out such a study in general we resort to two main approaches; Deductive reasoning; which works from the more general to the more specific subjects. Sometimes this is informally called a "top-down" approach. In such approach we take up the 'theory' and then try to apply it to the hypotheses that we intend to test. Gradually we narrow down to the testing of data and observations for their applicability to the theory/ theories to arrive at a confirmation of its applicability or not. Such an approach require that we enlist the HR principles concerning effective management, motivation, customer relationship management, employees turnover etc. and then see how the ideal situation applies to Primark, by taking relevant data from the company. The Inductive approach on the other hand begins with collecting data, specific observations, which then lead to broader generalization and theories. Such an approach in called as "bottom up" approach. The patterns thus detected are formulated into tentative hypotheses and we can therefore arrive at some general conclusion about our subject. This appears to be a more practical approach, as we need to collect data from different sources and then come out with the inferences after taking a look at the things projected by data. For example if we find that most of the employees are new to the company that effectively points towards a high employees' turnover. Similarly, if most of the employees express their resentment with the way staff matters are handled by the company, that goes on to indicate about lack of proper motivational strategies in the company. However this study is undertaken with a balanced mix of both these approaches so that we get to analyze the organization as well as established theories. Data Collection Requirements For this study, we need main input from the people working for Primark, for which one method is to take the company reports. But these annual reports mainly highlight the financial aspects and do not contain much info about the employees' issues. Secondly, the company's HR records could form the basis for setting up the record structure, but the company will surely not be forthcoming with their official requirements until it is a statutory requirement. This study is purely for academic purposes, so we'll have to look for other means of collecting data. Therefore, while secondary data can be had from earlier similar studies, books and annual reports, making use of questionnaire therefore appears to be the best option for collecting Primary data. Justification of Strategy Collecting data using a questionnaire seems to be the best approach under the circumstances, because with its help we will have detailed answers to some of our curious questions. Going over to each individual and then asking him/her the questions might not be a viable option because it requires enough time on the part of the respondent as well as on the part of th

A Rose for Emily Essay Example for Free

A Rose for Emily Essay Foreshadowing is an advance sign or warning of what is to come in the future. Foreshadowing is used as a literary device to tease readers about plot turns that will occur later in the story. In the story, â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† by William Faulkner, several examples are used to achieve the surprising but believable ending. The extremely strong scent about Ms. Emily’s house and the purchase of the poison are just what of these examples of foreshadowing in this story. The first example of foreshadowing is the horrible stench that the townspeople complain about. In the quote, â€Å"just as if a man any man- could keep a kitchen properly,† it shows how the women accuse the male servant of the smell because they stereotype how bad men are in the kitchen since it isn’t their place. Anthor accusation of the smell from the butler is Judge Steven when he states â€Å" its probably just a snake or rat that nigger of hers killed in the yard.† These two quotes suggest the smell to be from the butler but kept us on the edge of what the smell really was. The townspeople tried to resolve the issue, as some of the men decided to sprinkle lime around her house in hopes it would alleviate the stench. However, the smell did not dissipate for another week or two. If the odor had come from a mere snake or rat, the smell would have persisted for only a few days. In anthor section of the story Emily plans on buying arsenic. This is the next example of foreshadowing. â€Å"I want the best you have. I don’t care what kind,† this quote made by Emily to the town druggist when she wants the strongest poison. This questions the reader what she might need it for and why the strongest one. The druggist answers back to her, â€Å"they’ll kill anything up to an elephant,† the druggist made this point to let Miss Emily know that it kills huge animals not only just rats. When Emily goes home she finds written on the box, under the skull and cross bones- â€Å" for rats,† this suggest to the reader to think whether she might use it on herself or for someone else. Therefore in the ending of the story, when Miss Emily dies and the townspeople discover the corpse of Homer Barron, the reader recalls the use of foreshadowing, Miss Emily buying the poison and the horrible stench that was coming from the house. Faulkner in fact prepares the reader for Homer Barron’s death at the ha nds of Miss Emily almost from the very beginning. The use of foreshadowing throughout the story contributes to the unity of the story and allows the reader to accept the lovers’ fate as inevitable.

The Culture Of Vietnam English Language Essay

The Culture Of Vietnam English Language Essay The Culture of Vietnam which is the agricultural civilization based on the wet rice cultivating is one of the oldest of such in the Asia Pacific region. In terms of prehistory, most Vietnamese historians consider the ancient Dong Son culture to be one of the defining aspects of early Vietnamese civilization. There are some other characteristics that comprise Vietnamese culture: betel- areca nut chewing, teeth darkening, bamboo, respect for community and family value, hardworking and devotion to study. Long periods of domination and interaction with its northern neighbor, China, has resulted in Vietnams historic inclusion as part of the East Asian Cultural Sphere, known widely as Chinese Cultural Sphere with the accepting Confucianism as the philosophy of Mandarin class. However, the major stimulation of Vietnamese cultures development comes from indigenous factors. That is, Vietnamese culture with village culture as its representation is foundation that belongs to Austro-Asiatic culture and Chinese influence and Indian have just only been enrichment. Following independence from China in the 10th century AD, Vietnam began a southward expansion that saw the annexation of territories formerly belonging to the Chapman civilization (now Central Vietnam) and parts of the Khmer empire (today southern Vietnam) which resulted in minor regional variances in Vietnams culture due to exposure to these different groups. During French colonial period, Vietnamese culture received merchant influences from the Europeans, including the spread of Catholicism and the adoption of Latin alphabet-to this day, Vietnam is the only non-island nation of Indochina which uses the Latin alphabet to write the national language. In the socialist era, the cultural life of Vietnam has been deeply influenced by government-controlled media and the cultural influences of socialist programs. For many decades, foreign cultural influences were shunned and emphasis placed on appreciating and sharing the culture of communist nations such as the Soviet Union, China, Cuba and others. Since the 1990s, Vietnam has seen a greater re-exposure to Asian, European and American culture and media. Pod dwellers accounted for 29.6% of the population, their numbers rising 3.4% a year on average, while the head count of rural folks edged up by only 0.4% a year. About 70.4% of Vietnamese citizens currently live in bad areas, and although many are being influenced by the process of a growing economy, rural tradition and customs still play a vital role in shaping the stomping culture. Vietnamese give much to protecting their money, such that traveling to Vietnam means going to an older world for all Asian tourists In terms of societal levels of organization, the two most important units are là  ng (village) and nu?c (country). Vietnamese people usually say that là  ng goes hand in hand with nu?c. Intermediate organizational units like the huy?n (district) and t?nh (province) are not as important. The culture is like a vast ocean of people In rural Vietnam, kinship plays an important role. If it can be said that Western cultures value individualism, then it can also be said that Eastern cultures value the roles of family and clan. Comparing with Eastern cultures, Chinese culture values family over clan while Vietnamese culture values clan over family. Each clan has a patriarch, clan altar, and death commemorations attended by the whole clan. Most inhabitants are related by blood. That fact is still seen in village names such as à ?ng Xà ¡ (place for the à ?ng clan), Chà ¢u Xà ¡, Là ª Xà ¡, and so on so forth. In the Western highlands the tradition of many families in a clan residing in a longhouse is still popular. In the majority of rural Vietnam today one can still see three or four generations living under one roof. Because kinship has an important role in society, there is a complex hierarchy of relationships. In Vietnamese society, there are nine distinct generations. Virtually all commemorations and celebrations within a clan follow the principles of these nine generations. Younger persons might have a higher position in the family hierarchy than an older person and still must be respected as an elder. This complex system of relationships, a result of both Confucianism and societal norms is conveyed particularly through the extensive use of varying pronouns in Vietnamese language, which has an extensive array of honorifics to signify the status of the speaker in regards to the person they are speaking to. In the past, both men and women were expected to be married at quite young ages (by todays standards). Marriages were generally arranged by the parents and extended family, with the children having limited right to say no in the matter. In modern Vietnam, this has changed completely as people choose their own marriage-partners based on love, and in consideration primarily to their own needs and wants. The traditional Vietnamese wedding is one of the most important of traditional Vietnamese occasions. Regardless of Westernization, many of the age-old customs practiced in a traditional Vietnamese wedding continue to be celebrated by both Vietnamese in Vietnam and overseas, often combining both Western and Eastern elements. Depending on habits of specific ethnic groups, marriage includes various steps and related procedures, but generally there are two main ceremonies: Le an hoi (betrothal ceremony): Some time before the wedding, the groom and his family visit the bride and her family with round lacquered boxes known as betrothal presents composed of gifts of areca nuts and betel leaves, tea, cake, fruits, wines and other delicacies covered with red cloth and carried by unmarried girls or boys. Both families agree to pick a good day for wedding. Wedding ceremony: Guests would be invited to come to join a party and celebrate the couples happiness. The couple should pray before the altar asking their ancestors for permission for their marriage, then to express their gratitude to both grooms and brides parents for raising and protecting them. Guests will share their joy at a party later Formerly funeral ceremonies went as following: the body was washed and dressed; chopstick was laid between the teeth and a pinch of rice and three coins were dropped in the mouth. Then the body was put on a grass mat laid on the ground according to the saying being born from the earth, one must return back to the earth. The dead body was enveloped with white cloth, and put into the coffin. Finally, the funeral ceremony was officially performed. The deceased persons sons, daughters, and daughters-in-law had to wear coarse gauze turbans and tunics, and hats made of straw or of dry banana fiber. The deceased persons grandchildren and relatives also had to wear mourning turbans. During the days when the dead were still laid out at home, the mourning went on with worshipping meals and mourning music. Relatives, neighbors, and friends came to offer their condolences. The date and time for the funeral processio, must be carefully selected. Relatives, friends, and descendants take part in the funeral procession to accompany the dead along the way to the burial ground. Votive papers were dropped along the way. At the grave site, the coffin is buried and covered. After three days of mourning, the family visits the tomb again, or worship the opening the grave; after 49 days, the family stops bringing rice for the dead to the altar. And finally, after 100 days, the family celebrates the end of the tears. After one year is the ceremony of the first anniversary of the relatives death and after two years is the ceremony of the end of mourning. Nowadays, mourning ceremonies follow new rituals which are simplified; they consist of covering and putting the dead body into the coffin, the funeral procession, the burial of the coffin into the grave, and the visits to the tomb. The deceased persons family members wear a white turban or a black mourning band Religion in Vietnam has historically been largely defined by the East Asian mix of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, the so-called Tam Già ¡o, or triple religion, but today it has become more diverse including other religions such as cat holism, etc. Vietnamese Buddhism has typically been the most popular. The country also has a strong cultural norm of ancestor worship as well as animism. This fits perfectly with the triple religion, making it difficult for many Vietnamese to express exactly which religion they practice.[1] Of the three, Vietnamese Buddhism has always been the most popular with commoners Buddhism came to Vietnam as early as the second century CE through the North from central Asia and via Southern routes from India. Buddhism in Vietnam as practiced by the ethnic Vietnamese is mainly of the Mahayana school, although some ethnic minorities (such as the Khmer Krum) adhere to the Theravada school. Buddhism in Vietnam has had a symbiotic relationship with Taoism, Chinese spirituality, and the indigenous Vietnamese religion. The majority of Buddhist practitioners focus on devotional rituals rather than meditation. Buddhism is not practiced the same as in other Asian countries and does not contain the institutional structures, hierarchy, or sang has that exist in other traditional Buddhist settings. Due to this observation the estimate that 80% of the Vietnamese population is Buddhist is questionable, but does however show that many Vietnamese define their spiritual needs using a Buddhist worldview Besides the triple religion, Vietnamese life was also profoundly influenced by the practice of ancestor worship as well as native animism. Most Vietnamese people, regardless of religious denomination, practice ancestor worship and have an ancestor altar at their home or business, a testament to the emphasis Vietnamese culture places on filial duty. Along with obligations to clan and family, education has always played a vital role in Vietnamese culture. In the old days, scholars were placed at the top of society. Men not born of noble blood could only wish to elevate their status by means of studying for a rigorous Imperial examination which could potentially open doors to a position in the government, granting them power and prestige as Mandarin officials Vietnamese cuisine is extremely diverse, often divided into three main categories, each pertaining to Vietnams three main regions (north, central and south). It uses very little oil and many vegetables, and is mainly based on rice, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Its characteristic flavors are sweet (sugar), spicy (Serrano peppers), sour (lime), fish sauce, and flavored by a variety of mint and basil. Vietnam also has a large variety of noodles and noodle soups. Different regions invented different types of noodles, varying in shapes, tastes, colors, etc. One of the nations most famous type of noodles is pronounced fuh, a type of noodle soup originating in North Vietnam, which consists of rice noodles and beef soup (sometimes chicken soup) with several other ingredients such as bean sprouts and scallions (spring onions). It is often eaten for breakfast, but also makes a satisfying lunch or light dinner. The boiling stock, fragrant with spices and sauces, is poured over the noodles and vegetables, poaching the paper-thin slices of raw beef just before serving. Ph? is meant to be savored, incorporating several different flavors: the sweet flavor of beef, sour lemons, salty fish sauce, and fresh vegetables. In feudal Vietnam, clothing was one of the most important marks of social status and strict dress codes were enforced. Commoners had a limited choice of similarly plain and simple clothes for every day use, as well as being limited in the colors they were allowed to use. For a period, commoners were not allowed to wear clothes with dyes other than black, brown or white (with the exception of special occasions such as festivals), but in actuality these rules could change often based upon the whims of the current ruler. The à o t? thà ¢n or four-part dress is one such example of an ancient dress widely worn by commoner women, along with the à o y?m bodice which accompanied it. Peasants across the country also gradually came to wear silk pajama-like costumes, known as à o cà ¡nh in the north and à o bà   ba in the south. Monarchs had the exclusive right to wear the color gold, while nobles wore red or purple. Each member of the royal court had an assortment of different formal gowns they would wear at a particular ceremony, or for a particular occasion. The rules governing the fashion of the royal court could change dynasty by dynasty, thus Costumes of the Vietnamese court were quite diverse. The most popular and widely-recognized Vietnamese national costume is the à o Dà  i, which is worn nowadays mostly by women, although men do wear à o dà  i on special occasions such as weddings and funerals. à o dà  i is derived from the Chinese Xiao, although it consists of a long gown with a slit on both sides, worn over cotton or silk trousers. It is elegant in style and comfortable to wear, and likely derived in the 18th century or in the royal court of Hu?. White à o dà  i is the required uniform for girls in many high schools across Vietnam. Some female office workers (e.g. receptionists, secretaries, tour guides) are also required to wear à o dà  i. à o dà  i was once worn by both genders but today it is worn mainly by females, except for certain important traditional culture-related occasions where some men do wear it. In daily life, the traditional Vietnamese styles are now replaced by Western styles. Traditional clothing is worn instead on special occasions, with the exception of the white à o dà  i commonly seen with high school girls in Vietnam Traditional Vietnamese art is art practiced in Vietnam or by Vietnamese artists, from ancient times (including the elaborate Dong Son drums) to post-Chinese domination art which was strongly influenced by Chinese Buddhist art, among other philosophies such as Taoism and Confucianism. The art of Champ and France also played a smaller role later on. The Chinese influence on Vietnamese art extends into Vietnamese pottery and ceramics, calligraphy, and traditional architecture. Currently, Vietnamese lacquer paintings have proven to be quite popular Calligraphy has had a long history in Vietnam, previously using Chinese characters along with Ch? Nà ´m. However, most modern Vietnamese calligraphy instead uses the Roman-character based Qu?c Ng?, which has proven to be very popular. In the past, with literacy in the old character-based writing systems of Vietnam being restricted to scholars and elites, calligraphy nevertheless still played an important part in Vietnamese life. On special occasions such as the Lunar New Year, people would go to the village teacher or scholar to make them a calligraphy hanging (often poetry, folk sayings or even single words). People who could not read or write also often commissioned scholars to write prayers which they would burn at temple shrines. Vietnamese music varies slightly in the three regions: B?c or North, Trung or Central, and Nam or South. Northern classical music is Vietnams oldest and is traditionally more formal. Vietnamese classical music can be traced to the Mongol invasions, when the Vietnamese captured a Chinese opera troupe. Central classical music shows the influences of Champa culture with its melancholic melodies. Southern music exudes a lively laissez-faire attitude. Vietnam has got some 50 national music instruments, in which the set of percussion instruments is the most popular, diverse and long-lasting such as copper drums, gongs, lithopone, Dan to rung The set of blowing instruments is represented by flutes and pan-pipes, while the set of string instruments is specified. The Vietnamese folksongs are rich in forms and melodies of regions across the country, ranging from reciting poems, lullaby, chantey In the 20th century, in contact with the Western culture, especially after the national independence, many new categories of arts like plays, photography, cinemas, and modern art had taken shape and developed strongly, obtaining huge achievements with the contents reflecting the social and revolutionary realities. Up to 1997, there have been 44 people operating in cultural and artistic fields honored with the Ho Chi Minh Award, 130 others conferred with Peoples Artist Honor, and 1011 people awarded with the Excellent Artist Honor. At the start of 1997, there were 191 professional artistic organizations and 26 film studios (including central and local ones). There have been 28 movies, 49 scientific and documentary films receiving international motion picture awards in many countries Hà ¡t tu?ng (also known as Hà ¡t b?i): A theatre form strongly influenced by Chinese opera, it transitioned from being entertainment for the royal court to travelling troupes who performed for commoners and peasants, featuring many well-known stock characters. C?i luong: A kind of modern folk opera originating in South Vietnam, which utilizes extensive vibrato techniques. It remains very popular in modern Vietnam when compared to other folk styles. Hà ¡t chà ¨o: The most mainstream of theatre/music forms in the past, enjoyed widely by the public rather than the more obscure Ca trà ¹ which was favored more by scholars and elites. Water puppetry Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi: Water is a distinct Vietnamese art which had its origins in the 10th century. In Water Puppetry a split-bamboo screen obscures puppets which stand in water, and are manipulated using long poles hidden beneath the water. Epic story lines are played out with many different puppets, often using traditional scenes of Vietnamese life. The puppets are made from quality wood, such as the South East Asian Jackfruit tree. Each puppet is carefully carved, and then painted with numerous successive layers of paint to protect the puppets. Despite nearly dying out in the 20th century, Water Puppetry has been recognized by the Vietnamese Government as an important part of Vietnams cultural heritage. Today, puppetry is commonly performed by professional puppeteers, who typically are taught by their elders in rural areas of Vietnam. It is now extremely popular with tourists, and is performed at the National Museum in Ho Chi Minh city and in specialist theatres. In 2007 a Water Puppet troupe toured the USA to acclaim Vietnam has 54 different ethnics, each with their own traditional dance. Among the ethnic Vietnamese majority, there are several traditional dances performed widely at festivals and other special occasions, such as the lion dance. In the imperial court there also developed throughout the centuries a series of complex court dances which require great skill. Some of the more widely known are the imperial lantern dance, fan dance, and platter dance, among others Vietnamese martial art is highly developed from the countrys long history of warfare and attempts to defend itself from foreign occupation. Although most heavily influenced by Chinese martial arts, it has developed its own characteristics throughout the millennia in combination with other influences from its neighbors. Vietnamese martial art is deeply spiritual due to the influence of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, and is strongly reliant on the Viet Vo Dao (philosophy of Vietnamese martial arts). It is probably most famous for its scissor kicks. The general Vietnamese term for martial arts is Và µ-Thu?t, which encompasses all of the countless styles. Some of the more popular include: Vovinam Và µ Bà ¬nh à ?nh Quan Khi Dao Vietnamese martial art remains relatively unknown in the world today when compared to its counterparts from China, Japan, Korea or Thailand. However, this is seeing a definite change as schools teaching various styles of Vietnamese martial arts are starting to pop up all over the world, notably in countries such as Spain Vietnamese martial art is highly developed from the countrys long history of warfare and attempts to defend itself from foreign occupation. Although most heavily influenced by Chinese martial arts, it has developed its own characteristics throughout the millennia in combination with other influences from its neighbors. Vietnamese martial art is deeply spiritual due to the influence of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, and is strongly reliant on the Viet Vo Dao (philosophy of Vietnamese martial arts). It is probably most famous for its scissor kicks. Literature Vietnamese literature includes two major components which have developed simultaneously and are profoundly interrelated: Folk literature and written literature. Vietnamese folk literature came into being very early and had a profound effect on the spiritual life of the Viet. The folk literature always praised beauty, humanism, and the love of goodness, and contributed to the formation of a national sense. Legends, fairy tales, humorous stories, folk songs, epics and so on, have a tremendous vitality and have lived on until today. Written literature was born roughly in the 10th century. Up to the 20th century, there had been two components existing at the same time: works written in the Han characters (with poems and prose demonstrating the Vietnamese soul and realities; thus, they were still regarded as Vietnamese literature) and works written in the Nom character (mostly poems; many great works were handed down to the later generations). Since the 1920s , written literature has been mainly composed in the National language with profound renovations in form and category such as novels, new-style poems, short stories and dramas, and with diversity in artistic tendency. Written literature attained speedy development after the August Revolution, when it was directed by the Vietnamese Communist Partys guideline and focused on the peoples fighting and work life. Modern Vietnamese literature has developed from romanticism to realism, from heroism in wartime to all aspects of life, and soared into ordinary life to discover the genuine values of the Vietnamese people. Classical literature generated such masterpieces as Truyen Kieu (Nguyen Du), Cung oan ngam khuc (Nguyen Gia Thieu), Chinh phu ngam (Dang Tran Con), and Quoc am thi tap (Nguyen Trai). The Vietnamese had brilliant female poets such as: Ho Xuan Huong, Doan Thi Diem, and Ba Huyen Thanh Quan, centuries ago. In Vietnamese modern prose, there were authors who could emulate whomever in the world, namely, Nguyen Cong Hoan, Vu Trong Phung, Ngo Tat To, Nguyen Hong, Nguyen Tuan, and Nam Cao. They were joined by excellent poets: Xuan Dieu, Huy Can, Han Mac Tu, and Nguyen Binh. Regrettably, their great works that faithfully reflected the country and the times have yet to appear Vietnam has a number of UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites, as well as cultural relics deemed as Intangible heritage. These are split into specific categories: Cultural heritage sites Hoi An: An ancient city and trading center. Imperial city of Hu?: Complex of monuments in the former imperial capital. My Son: Ancient temple complex of the former Champa civilization in Quang Nam province. Natural heritage sites Phong Nha cave, Quang Binh province. Ha Long Bay Intangible Cultural Heritage Nhà £ nh?c: A form of Vietnamese court music. Space of Gong culture in the Central Highlands of Vietnam Ca trà ¹ Quan h? There are a number of other potential world heritage sites, as well as intangible cultural heritages which Vietnam has completed documents on for UNESCOs recognition in the future. Vietnam celebrates many holidays, including traditional holidays which have been celebrated in Vietnam for thousands of years, along with modern holidays imported predominantly from western countries. Among the traditional holidays, the two most important and widely celebrated are the New Year although the latter has been losing ground in recent years With the adoption of your child from Vietnam comes a whole new Vietnamese culture that you will want to share with your family. 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