Chinese Culture, Featured

The Amazing Vision of a Tutor in the House of Cai Jing

In today’s world, it can be easy to get caught up in the pursuit of fame and fortune. However, it is important to remember that those who can look beyond the present and anticipate the future will be better prepared for whatever life throws their way. This is exemplified in the story of Zhang Yu, ...

Hermann Rohr

A page from a rare Chinese book showing a line drawing of people in traditional Chinese clothing at a banquet.

Miraculous Efficacy of Ancient Chinese Medicine

Chinese culture has endured for the past 5,000 years and traditional Chinese medicine has always been an inseparable part of it. Modern-day people, especially the younger generation, often perceive this ancient Chinese medicine to be somewhat unsophisticated and less advanced than present-day pharmaceutical medicinal practices. Ancient practitioners of Chinese medicine often left detailed records of ...

Emma Lu

An illustration of ancient Chinese doctor, Li Shizhen.

5 Gifts You Should Avoid Giving to Chinese

Giving presents shows how much you care about that person and value your connections. When you offer someone a gift, no matter the reason, you typically express your feelings of affection and gratitude for them. But in Chinese culture, specific presents are taboo because of their bad luck implications.  When are Chinese gifts given? Gift-giving ...

Viena Abdon

Chinese gift-giving.

The Cultural Significance of Chinese Numbers and Their Combinations

Numbers hold a significant place in Chinese culture, as they are believed to represent different aspects of life, including fortune, harmony, and love. Numbers can be taken as either a good omen or a bad sign, but there is no denying the distinction between the two.  Here, we will explore the significance of the lucky ...

Viena Abdon

Lucky number 8 on the background of wooden keg lotto pieces.

A Scholar Who Failed the Imperial Exam Became the Emperor’s Teacher

During the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, there was once a scholar who traveled a great distance from his hometown to reach the capital in order to sit for the Imperial Exam. Although he was knowledgeable, he failed to pass the exam. People who knew him felt sorry for him. Annoyed at this outcome, ...

Mikel Davis

Chinese landscape painting with a pavilion on a lake next to a bridge.

Hongzhi Emperor Zhu Youcheng, the Supreme Leader of China

The Hongzhi Emperor was the first and only monogamous emperor in Chinese history. He was the 10th emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and during his reign, people lived steady and prosperous lives in all aspects. In addition, the Hongzhi Emperor was a great musician, poet, and painter who was also thought to be the creator ...

Ratul Saha

The Hongzhi Emperor and Empress Xiaokangjing.

The Wisdom Behind Chinese Martial Arts

There is wisdom in Chinese martial arts. If you’ve always been curious about kung fu and other forms of martial arts, learn the knowledge that traditional Chinese martial arts have to teach. Chinese martial arts is an underlooked venue for self-betterment and improvement in a world where being a busy bee can suffocate. As incredible ...

Mike West

A martial artist practicing kung fu.

Finding Your Essential Self: The Ancient Philosophy of Zhuangzi Explained

Zhuangzi – also known as Zhuang Zhou or Master Zhuang – was a Chinese philosopher who lived around the 4th century BCE. He is traditionally credited as the author of the ancient Taoist masterpiece bearing his name, the Zhuangzi. The work of Zhuangzi has been described as “humorous and deadly serious, lighthearted and morbid, precisely ...

Troy Oakes

Illustration of Zhuang Zhou, author of one of the foundational texts of Daoism.