Chinese Culture, Editor's Pick

8 Exemplary Mothers of Ancient China: The Pillars of Virtue and Valor (Part 1)

Throughout history, mothers have played a profound role in shaping cultures and values. In ancient China, the phrase “when you drink water, think of its source” illustrates the deep appreciation for one’s origins and the foundational role of mothers. This article, the first in a two-part series, explores the lives of some of the most ...

Mikel Davis

A flowering Cymbidium hybrid orchid.

Karma and Consequences: Tales of Moral Retribution in Traditional Chinese Culture

The concept of moral retribution is fundamental in traditional Chinese culture. The saying “People act, Heaven watches” implies that every choice between good and evil shapes your future. Regardless of modern belief, this principle continues to influence actions and events. The Song Dynasty scholar Hong Mai documented various actual events of karmic retribution in his ...

Mikel Davis

Rock painted with the Yin-Yang symbol sits on a beach.

Eminent Monk of the Tang Dynasty: The Life and Miracles of Pan Liao Quan

Pan Liao Quan (812-861) was a revered monk during the Tang Dynasty, whose life was marked by spiritual phenomena from the very beginning. Born in Sha County, Fujian Province, to Pan Dezhang and a mother surnamed Qiu, his early life already hinted at his future monastic significance. The unyielding fist A notable event occurred right ...

Emma Lu

Asian monk walking through grass toward a giant Buddha statue.

Fate and Fortune: Fang Guancheng’s Guardian Angels

In the tumultuous times of the Qing Dynasty, a man named Fang Guancheng (1696-1768) from Tongcheng experienced a life filled with both fortuitous encounters and narrow escapes from peril. His early years were marked by adversity when his father was forcibly conscripted into the army due to involvement with a distinguished author whose works sparked ...

Mikel Davis

Illustration of an ancient pathway, a serene landscape, and the guiding presence of guardian figures to accompany a traveler in ancient Chinese clothing.

The Unconventional Hero Ji Gong: A Tale of Deception and Salvation

During the Song Dynasty, a story unfolded that would echo through the ages, a tale of cunning, bravery, and the unexpected heroism of the mad monk Ji Gong. Though centuries old, this narrative carries a timeless message that resonates even with the modern world, particularly when we consider the dangers and deceptions that lurk in ...

Max Lu

Illustration of a monk in traditional Chinese robes carrying a tattered fan and standing in a Chinese village with a suspicious looking character behind him.

Acts of Kindness Bring Divine Favor

In the bustling town of Jiaxing, there lived a scholar named Zhu, who was originally from Huizhou. Gifted and eager to study from a young age, Zhu faced the unfortunate demise of his parents when he was just in his early teens. This calamity forced him to abandon his education, but not his acts of ...

Max Lu

Illustration of an ancient Chinese village with a river running through it.

Pingyang, the Princess Warrior of the Tang Dynasty

In the annals of history, princesses are often envisioned as delicate figures adorned in finery, far removed from the harsh realities of battle. Yet Princess Pingyang, the sister of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, shatters this stereotype, standing tall as a warrior heroine of her era. In the year A.D. 617, the father of ...

Mikel Davis

Illustration of Princess Pingyang, the princess warrior of China's Tang Dynasty.