古代官吏颈上的朝珠

朝珠由108颗珠子贯穿而成，挂于颈上，垂在胸前。朝珠的质料有东珠、翡翠、玛瑙、蓝晶石、珊瑚等。每盘朝珠有四个大珠，垂在胸前的叫“佛头”，在背后还有一个下垂的“背云”，在朝珠两侧，有三串小珠，左二右一，各10粒，名为“记捻”。按清《会典》规定，自皇帝、后妃到文官五品、武官四品以上，皆可配挂朝珠，朝珠虽然是装饰品,但一般官员和百姓不能随意佩带。对于佩带何种质地的朝珠，也有严格的区分和等级规定，从官员胸前所佩带朝珠质地的好坏，可以看出官员的品级高低来。官员觐见皇帝时必须伏地跪拜，只要朝珠碰地，即可代替额头触地。朝珠的直径越大，珠串就越长，佩挂者俯首叩头的幅度就可减小，这可以说是皇上对不同官职的不同恩赐。


在清代，上至皇帝，下至一定品级的官员都带朝珠。朝珠，尤其是皇帝的朝珠它有特定的含义，比如说东周朝珠，它是皇帝上朝戴的，像红珊瑚朝珠呢，它是皇帝祭日戴的，绿松石朝珠是皇帝祭月戴的。另外，朝珠它是一个人身份和等级的象征，比如说东珠朝珠，当年清代开国元勋多尔衮，还有大贪官和珅，当时在追究他们罪状之一就有一条，私匿东周朝珠。这串朝珠无论从工艺、从它的特征，从它的装饰方法都符合官制朝珠的特征。

History of Mastercard

A pioneer of the payments industry, MasterCard Worldwide has a remarkable heritage of success and innovation. Through the decades, MasterCard has demonstrated a commitment to making commerce faster, more secure and more convenient, while fostering relationships that drive value for all stakeholders and advance global commerce. Below are some of the company’s key highlights since its inception.

1966

Founded as the Interbank Card Association (ICA).

1968

Begins formation of global network with banks outside the United States.

1969

ICA acquires exclusive rights to the “Master Charge” name and the trademarked interlocking circles.

1974

Magstripe becomes a standard feature on all "Master Charge" cards.

1979

Renamed “MasterCard” to reflect commitment to international growth, following the purchase of “Master Charge” name and trademark by the California Bank Association.

1983

MasterCard introduces hologram security device, an industry first.

1985

MasterCard acquires an interest in Europay International's predecessor, EuroCard.

1987

MasterCard is the first-ever payment card issued in the People’s Republic of China.

1988

MasterCard acquires the Cirrus® ATM network

1990

MasterCard unveils a co-branding strategy and becomes the industry's co-branding leader.

1991

Europay and MasterCard launch Maestro®, the world’s first online point-of-sale debit network.

1997

Launch of Priceless®, award-winning advertising campaign, which first airs in October, and runs in 98 countries and in 46 languages. This campaign significantly raises brand awareness and usage—and enters “MasterCard” into the lexicon of everyday usage.

2001

Launch of MasterCard Advisors professional services, the largest global consultancy focused on the payments industry.

2002

MasterCard merges with Europay International to create MasterCard International—one worldwide company with one management team and converts to a private-share corporation in June 2002. MasterCard is in the best position to achieve its goals as an industry leader and to help the company’s customers achieve profitable growth.


MasterCard launches and completes initial trial of its MasterCard PayPass™ contactless payment program in Orlando, Florida, with Chase, Citibank and MBNA.

2005

Additional financial institutions begin issuing MasterCard PayPass in 2005 and 2006. Card Technology magazine presents MasterCard with two “Breakthrough” Awards for its PayPass technology.

2006

MasterCard transitions to a new corporate governance and ownership structure. MasterCard Inc. begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol MA.


MasterCard introduces new corporate name, MasterCard Worldwide, and adopts a new corporate signature and tagline, The Heart of Commerce™, to reflect the company’s globally integrated structure and strategic vision of advancing commerce worldwide.

2007

MasterCard Worldwide launches knowledge leadership initiative with the Worldwide Centers of Commerce.

2008

Launch of IPS (Integrated Processing Solution) global platform for debit & prepaid issuer processing.

2008

MasterCard Europe and Europay France Integrate Operations in France.

2008

Acquired Orbisom, Ltd., a leading payments solutions software provider for major financial institutions.

Shall we disclose CVV number to card agent?

As a credit card user, I believe you have been advised or told by friends or banks to keep your CVV number undisclosed. CVV number is a three digit number on the back of credit card. It is needed to identify the credit card when an online transaction is being done.

So you know that the CVV is confidential. Do you feel kinda insecure when the card agent takes your card and has the card's both side photocopied?  Here's Bank Negara Malaysia's explanation.

"Please be informed that documents requirement for an application will be at the discretion of the bank based on types of loan, its internal policies and risk management.  Credit cardholder should take necessary steps to minimize the risk of being a victim of fraud and not to provide credit card details to an unknown party. In this regard, if you feel that the requirement for photocopy of your credit card by the credit card agent to facilitate approval is unreasonable, you are advised to check and seek explanation from the Card Centre of the bank.

 

We also would like to highlight to you that all financial institutions must abide to Section 97 of Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 where they should not reveal, publish or otherwise disclose to any person of any information or document whatsoever relating to the affairs or account of such customer."

"东西"从何而来

何来“东西”一词?

中国古代的术数用金、木、水、火、土，推算相互生克的道理和运势，这“五行”又和东西南北这“五方”相配，测出古今变革，人生命理、万事冲撞及依附的关系。

宋朝的理学家朱熹好学多问，有次他在巷子里碰到精通五行的好友盛温和，问道：“你提着篮子去干什么啊？”

盛温和幽默的回答：“去街门买东西”。当时还没有“东西”一说法。

朱熹不解地问：“买‘东西’？这是什么意思？为何不买‘南北’？”

盛温和并没有直接解答，他笑着回敬说：“真不明白？你这位大学问家真是聪明一世糊涂一时啊。你把五行和五方对照一下就会豁然开朗了。”

朱熹独自思付，“东”即“木”，“西”为“金”，“南”属“火”，“北”乃“水”……突然他如梦初醒，原来盛温和是用了诙谐的语言说，“上街去买金木之类，可装入篮子的物品”！若说“南北”当然不对了，篮子里怎么可以装水和火呢？

从此，“东西”就成为了物品的代名词直至今天。