[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ironically known as "China's fifth great invention" (after the historical paper-making, the compass, gunpowder, and printing), memes are now an inherent part of Chinese people's daily lives. It's almost a little bit weird to talk to your Chinese friends without using memes.

They are a useful tool to express attitude and emotions, or to say what cannot be said directly.

As China's Spring Festival approaches, various memes are being saved in mobile phones so people can chat with the friends and family with whom they'll spend the holiday.