The Four Treasures of the Study are the writing tools with Chinese characters. Also known as “the Scholar’s Four Jewels”, namely, the writing brush, ink-stick, paper and ink-slab. The study got its name in the Northern and Southern dynasties, referring only to the study of the literati. The Four Treasures, varied and colorful, are famous […]
Clapper Talk or Chinese Kuaibanr is a traditional Chinese performance style in the north China. It is popular with its free style, lively language and simple rhythm. It is a kind of rhythmic talk or monologue to the accomplishment of specially made bamboo clappers and “sanxian”, a traditional Chinese three-stringed plucked instrument. It was invented […]
Chinese people like the red color a lot. China used to be called the “red country” in the past. Even now Chinese people like to refer themselves as “chi zi”, meaning the “red descendent”. Traditionally, red represents the motherland and authority. Official uniforms of the Tang Dynasty were red. In the Qing Dynasty, different shades […]
“hua biao”(ornamental pillar) is an exquisite structure in ancient Chinese architecture. It is mostly erected in front of bridges, palaces, city walls and tombs as symbols and ornamentals. It emerged in the late period of the primitive society and experienced a long historical evolution. People set up wooden posts at major crossroads as their street […]
In China, what the children expect for the Spring Festival is the gift money. And it is typically a Chinese cultural phenomenon. In some families, no one is allowed to leave after the feast on the lunar New Year’s Eve. With everyone sitting around the table, the seniors provide the juniors with the gift money […]
In ancient China, playing on a swing was not only a relaxation, but it is one of the activities during the Pure Brightness Festival. The swing was invented as a tool to help the people reach edible berries in high places. The Chinese word for the swing originally meant “moving around by holding leather ropes”. […]
A door god portrait is a Chinese decoration placed on each side of the entrance to the house. It is believed to prevent the evil from entering. The custom first began in the Tang Dynasty. Tang Taizong (599-649) once had trouble fall asleep at night because of a ghost harassing him. Two of his most […]
Kang Xi (1654-1722) was the 2nd emperor of the Qing Dynasty. His personal name was Xuanye. He was one of China’s most capable rulers. During his reign, he laid the foundation for a long period of political stability and prosperity. Under his reign, the Treaty of Nerchinsk was signed with Russia, parts of Outer Mongolia […]
Chinese characters that represent numbers also have their own special meanings. One (yi, “一”) The Chinese people believe that “one” (“一”) represents the beginning of everything. The famous ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi once said that, in the beginning of the universe, “’dao’ created one”. “One” here refers to the chaotic state that existed before anything […]
The ancient Chinese incorporated their observations and awareness of nature into the shapes of Chinese characters. Learn Chinese: 月(yue: “the moon”) The shape of this character is just like the meniscus. There is an ancient Chinese story named “Chang’e Flies to the Moon”. Chang’e is the wife of Houyi. She consumed the medicine of immortality […]