Chinese Culture, Featured

The Legend of the Liquor Well: Lessons for People

During the Ming Dynasty, there was a legend of liquor well in Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province. According to the records of Fan Garden, a Taoist traveler came here. He drank heavily in a bar and left immediately after finishing. He seldom thanked the bar owner, and the owner did not ask him to pay for ...

Nspirement Staff

A well.

Sun Simiao Waited 50 Years for Li Shimin

In traditional Chinese culture, Buddhism emphasizes predestined relationships among people: between husbands and wives, relatives and friends, and rulers and ministers. The encounter between Sun Simiao and Emperor Taizong of Tang, born Li Shimin, was also predestined. Sun Simiao was a Chinese physician and writer of the Sui and Tang dynasties. He was titled China’s “King of Medicine” for ...

Nspirement Staff

Emperor Taizong.

Timeless Virtues: The Honesty and Frugality of Prime Minister Sima Guang

Sima Guang (1019-1086), a prime minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, also known by his courtesy name Junshi, was a native of Sushui Township in Xia County (present-day Shanxi Xia County), Shaanxi Province. He was a renowned historian. When Sima Guang was born, his father, Sima Chi, served as the Guangshan County magistrate in Guangzhou. ...

Mikel Davis

Statue of Sima Guang.

Fan Zhongyan’s Diligence and Resilience

Fan Zhongyan’s mother, Mrs. Xie, had a difficult life, experienced much hardship, and tasted many bitter experiences. As a result, she placed great hope in her son. Inspired by the dedication of Mencius’ mother, Mrs. Xie devoted herself to her son’s education. Fan Zhongyan disciplined himself like the famed Chinese philosopher Yan Hui and worked ...

Mikel Davis

Fan Zhongyan.

 Haichunxuan Pagoda: Ancient China’s Architectural Technology

Originally known as the “Filial Piety Pagoda,” the Haichunxuan Pagoda’s story is deeply intertwined with the life of Yuchi Jingde, a founding minister of the Tang Dynasty who received the title of “Duke of E” for his loyal and brave service to the country. During his youth, Yuchi Jingde and his mother sought refuge in ...

Emma Lu

Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.

Mastering Resilience: The Strategic Wisdom of Sima Yi

Sima Yi, a distinguished figure of the Three Kingdoms period, is widely celebrated for his political acumen and strategic brilliance. As a key architect of the Western Jin Dynasty, his strategic confrontations with Zhuge Liang are particularly revered. This article delves into the core principles underpinning Sima Yi’s enduring success and explores how these timeless ...

Mikel Davis

Houhai Lake in China.

The Virtue of Silence: The Tale of a Compassionate Healer

In the annals of Qing Dynasty lore, the story of Wei Lianfang’s father stands out as a beacon of compassion and medical expertise. A physician of great virtue, he treated all who sought his help with unwavering dedication, regardless of their financial status. His generosity knew no bounds; for those too impoverished to afford treatment, ...

Max Lu

Blocks spelling out the word 'silence.'

Welcoming the Wood Dragon: A Look Into the Year 2024

The dragon is a unique figure in Chinese culture. It stands for strength, honor, luck, and success. People worship the dragon as a supernatural being with unmatched talents and greatness. But this creature is more than just a zodiac sign in China and Japan; it’s a symbol with a long history in myth and tradition.  ...

Viena Abdon

Portrait of an Asian dragon swimming in the sea.

Traditional Chinese Wisdom: It’s a Blessing to Suffer Losses

During the Ming Dynasty, there was a scholar named Wu Zitian. His mother passed away early, and his father remarried. His stepmother favored her own son over him, treating him poorly. Over time, he harbored feelings of resentment in his heart. Later, he married, and his stepmother also treated his wife poorly. Feeling discontent, he ...

Mikel Davis

Asian American couple outdoors on their wedding day.