China

Missing University Student Luo Wanlu Found Behind Bars

Luo Wanlu, an information engineering student from Shenzhen University, traveled to Hong Kong on July 29, but he suddenly went missing. According to media reports, Luo was arrested for shoplifting. She had stolen merchandise worth about HK$2,400 from three beauty stores. Luo told a friend at her university on July 29 that she was going ...

Max Lu

How Ancient Chinese Clothing Indicated Rank and Status

Ancient Chinese clothing worn by emperors, noblemen, and officials used color and pattern to signify rank. The association of rank to a particular color and pattern was known as the Regulation Attire System. In accordance with the yin-yang and five element theory, blue, red, white, black, and yellow represent East, South, West, North, and Central, ...

Nspirement Staff

Qing Dynasty imperial clothing.

Berberine: The Essence of the Golden Thread

Before going on long trips, it is common for Chinese people to assemble a set of Chinese herbal medicine pills in order to prepare themselves for minor medical emergencies. Taking berberine is a must. Many of my patients often come to my clinic to purchase these herbal pills before they travel. Berberine is one of ...

Raven Montmorency

Old brown medicine bottles lined up on a shelf.

Young Man in China Tried to Patent the Drug ‘Ice’

In Dezhou City of Shandong Province, China, a young man studied the synthesis of the drug known as”Ice” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) after his failures in trying to set up several businesses. Drawing on his junior high school chemistry education and after countless trials and errors, he finally succeeded in synthesizing the desired drug. He planned to apply for a patent ...

Nspirement Staff

Chinese Zodiac Signs: How Can All Snakes Be the Same?

According to Chinese zodiac signs, everyone born in a particular year shares the same characteristics of a particular Chinese zodiac sign. For example, everyone born under the Chinese zodiac sign of the snake has the characteristic of the snake — intelligent, calm, intuitive, introspective, and organized. However, you might be wondering: “How can every person ...

Emma Lu

Statue of a snake, along with the other animals in the Chinese Zodiac, in a fountain.

The Legendary Silk Road

The legendary Silk Road connected the famous big cities of China with those of India, and reached all the way to the Mediterranean Sea from the period 100 B.C. until the year A.D. 1500. It was a route that opened up many countries for trade. Chinese tradesmen exchanged mainly Chinese silk in return for Roman ...

Nspirement Staff

The Fascinating Origin of Chinese Dough Figurines

On the birthday of Emperor Qianlong, there was drumming and music in the royal palace, and the atmosphere was lively. The emperor met with other royalty and officials, and accepted their blessings and salutations. The palace was filled with a large number of stunning gifts. Liu Yong went to Emperor Qianlong, saluted him, and offered ...

Emma Lu

Photo of clay figurines of the Sanxing, or Three Stars Gods, taken at a temple in Hong Kong.

Legend of the Chinese Hawthorn

A long time ago, a businessman remarried after his first wife died. However, the new wife disliked her stepchild and wanted to get rid of him. “What’s the best way to do it?” she pondered. “I can’t kill him, nor can I poison him to death, because people will find out.” Finally, she got an ...

Emma Lu

Bright red hawthorn berries with green foliage seen against the blue sky.

How a Lowly Servant in Ancient China Won the Respect of an Empire

There is a story from ancient China about Emperor Tang Wenzong, the 15th emperor of the Tang Dynasty, who had an exquisite pillow carved of precious white jade that he hid among his draperies. However, one day it disappeared. Emperor Tang was shocked, as his inner palace was very secure. Only his concubines could gain ...

Jack Roberts

Black and white photo of three men dressed in ancient Chinese clothing.