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Cultural Allusions in Bridge of Birds
There are numerous allusions to actual Chinese cultural practices and events in Bridge of Birds, including the following:
 * Bamboo Dragonfly - The traditional Chinese version of the illuminating flying toy was made of bamboo. This version contained two blades that functioned as the propeller. They were connected to a thin rod. When you would rub the rod with your palms, it would rotate and release the bamboo dragonfly. Because there is no electricity involved, the bamboo dragonfly did not fly to great heights. A helicopter-sized version features in the novel.
 * Dragon Boat Festival - A Chinese holiday is celebrated by boat races on the fifth day of the fifth lunar moon, which is the same day the Chinese poet Chu Yuan died in 277 B.C. On this day citizens throw bamboo leaves filled with rice into the water symbolizing the attempt to distract fish from eating his corpse. In Bridge of Birds, a man dressed as the dead poet appears to rob the celebrants during the ceremony.
 * Dragon Dance - The dragon dance is an important part of traditional Chinese culture. The dragon dance expresses happiness and wishes. Usually performed by a group of people with stage props that they will use to form the head, body, and tail of a dragon. They perform the many different forms and models of the dance during celebrations. Master Li and Number Ten Ox perform this dance when they celebrate at the end of "Bridge of Birds".
 * Legalism - Literally means “school of law”. This philosophy had three subjects: fa, shu, and shi. Fa meant “law or principle” and the law code must be clearly written and made public. Laws should reward those who obey them and punish those who break them. Shu meant “method, tactic or art” and this meant that secrets were to be employed by the ruler so others cannot take control of the dynasty. Shi meant “legitimacy, power, or charisma” and this meant that the position of the ruler was what held power. In the novel, the Duke of Ch'in espouses this philosophy.
 * Moon Festival - Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Mooncake Festival, or the Zhongqui Festival. Customs include eating mooncakes, matchmaking, carrying lanterns, burning incense, and Fire Dragon Dances. In Bridge of Birds, Number Ten Ox visits the city of Peking during the hectic Moon Festival.
 * Tomb Festival - Known as Qingming Festival in China, but is also referred to as Tomb Sweeping Day because one of the major customs for this day is sweeping the tombs. This is a day spent honoring the dead. People will visit the graves of their ancestors to clean them, leave offerings of food, and honor the dead. Master Li and Number Ten Ox take the time on this day to honor their dead ancestors in "Bridge of Birds".
 * Yama King - Judge of the dead in Chinese folk religion. When people die he would either grant them good fortune because they led a good life, or punish them if they led a life of evil deeds and misfortune. This religious figure is alluded to in "Bridge of Birds" when characters speak about what they want to be reborn as in their next life.