China, Feng Shui

Ancient Chinese Secret: The 8 Trigrams of Bagua

The 8 trigrams of Bagua (八卦) are a set of ancient symbols with mystical meanings. These symbols pervade Chinese civilization. The eight trigrams have influenced the development of many aspects: martial arts, fortune telling, fengshui, literature, religion, architecture, and philosophy are just some of the areas that are based on or influenced by the eight trigrams. The ...

Raven Montmorency

The eight trigrams of the Chinese Bagua.

Banned: China Goes Hard on Foreign Soft Cheese

China has banned the import of foreign soft cheese, angering foreign trade officials who say it is unjustified. The nationwide ban — which came into place earlier this month — stops foreigners providing soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, Gorgonzola, and Stilton, to China’s relatively small but growing soft cheese market. Chinese officials say foreign ...

James Burke

5 Sleeping Positions That Reveal Your Destiny

Who would’ve thought that even the way you sleep can reveal things about you? According to traditional Chinese medicine, sleeping positions indicate character and destiny. In Chinese, this ancient field of study is referred to as 相學 (xiàng xué). 5 Sleeping positions 1. Side-sleepers Side-sleepers are the kings of sleeping. Side-sleeping has connotations of good ...

Armin Auctor

Brunette female sleeping on her right side under a sheet and blanket.

10 Benefits of Sitting Cross-Legged in the Lotus Position

Sitting cross-legged is regarded as the most basic form of meditation postures. How you sit will affect the level of tranquility you reach during meditation. For a beginner, this is a very important foundation. 10 benefits of sitting cross-legged Everyone can achieve sitting cross-legged in the lotus position, with the legs crossed, even if you ...

Hermann Rohr

A Buddha statue.

How Tang Dynasty General Yuchi Jingde Became a Chinese Door God

Yuchi Jingde, also known as Wei Chigong, was one of the most celebrated military figures of the early Tang Dynasty, and he thus became a Chinese Door God. He and another great Chinese military general of the same era, Qin Shubao, adorn the doors and gates of temples, homes, and businesses in China and Chinese ...

Jack Roberts

Colorful painting of door god on the traditional sliding wooden poles door in Guangzhou in China.

Which Chinese Tea Is Best for You?

There are many types of Chinese tea, each with unique tastes and health-enhancing properties. Here are some benefits and practical uses of five common teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Green Tea Made from Camellia sinensis leaves, green tea has potent antioxidants called catechins, which help eliminate free radicals responsible for DNA damage. Because ...

Raven Montmorency

Loose Chinese Tea Leaves on a table

Foods to Avoid When Taking Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) advocates a healthy and balanced diet. As a matter of fact, according to traditional Chinese medicine, food plays more than just a nutritional role in the body. Food, when selected in accordance to its relation in the five elements theory, can have a medicinal effect on the body. Therefore, when being ...

Hermann Rohr

Jasmine Tea and the Gratitude Fairy

Jasmine Tea (茉莉花茶) is named “the spring scent of China,” and it is a blend of both tea leaves and fresh jasmine flowers. The tea absorbs the fragrance of the blossoms and they complement each other. According to a Chinese tea legend, it is said that jasmine tea originated from a Beijing tea trader, Chen ...

Emma Lu

White jasmine flowers in bloom.

The Clever Solution of Wing Flaps on Song Dynasty Hats

Why were the ministers of the Song Dynasty required to wear hats with wide wing flaps? The reason Song Dynasty hats featured protruding side flaps is surprising. The founding emperor, Zhao Kuangyin, also known as Emperor Taizu, came up with the idea to solve a problem. After ascending to the throne, Zhao was concerned that ...

Jack Roberts

Portrait of Chinese Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty.

10 Don’ts When Drinking Tea

Regarded for thousands of years in the East as a key to good health, happiness, and wisdom, tea has also caught the attention of researchers in the West, who are discovering the many health benefits of different types of teas. However, there are also don’ts when drinking tea. Studies have found that some teas may ...

Emma Lu

Seen from below, tea leaves with a blue and white tea pot and cup sit on a glass table.