Hakka culture
Hakka culture () refers to the culture created by Hakka people, a Han Chinese subgroup, across Asia. It encompasses the shared language, various art forms, food culture, folklore, and traditional customs. Hakka culture stemmed from the culture of Ancient Han Chinese, who migrated from China's central plain to what is modern day's Southern China during the 6th to 13th century, and intermixed with local non-Han ethnic groups such as the Miao people. It has also been influenced by the cultures of surrounding Han Chinese groups, such as the Cantonese and the Hoklo. Having historically lived in the mountains of Southern China and being minority groups in many of the surrounding Chinese provinces, Hakka have developed a culture characterized by reservedness, stability, and frugality.
Carved wood vahanas in National Museum
The "vahanas" are both the symbol and the emblem of the deity that they carry. In Hindu iconography, positive aspects of the vehicle are often emblematic of the deity that it carries such as "Nandi", the bull, vehicle of Shiva, represents strength and virility. "Parvani" the peacock, vehicle of Kartikeya, represents splendor and majesty. The "Hamsa", vehicle of Saraswati, represents wisdom, grace and beauty.