adversity, chinese culture, chinese history, disasters, divine intervention, emperor taizong, historical anecdotes, locust infestation, ming dynasty, plague, resilience, sacrifice, tang dynasty, tradition, vows, wisdom

Learning From History: How the Ancient Chinese Responded to Plagues and Disasters

The recent pandemic is, without a doubt, one of the greatest catastrophes we have experienced in our lifetimes. Yet, in the long annals of Chinese history, numerous accounts exist of plagues and other calamities of similar scale. These instances from antiquity provide us with invaluable insights into how emperors and common folk alike managed to ...

Mikel Davis

Ancient Chinese observing a globe mechanism.

A Brief History of Chinese Drums

Did you know Chinese drums were used initially for combat because drums were considered all-inclusive magical weapons in ancient China? The beautiful sound of battle drums was essential for boosting the morale of an army from a distance. In this article, you’ll learn the history behind the ancient Chinese drums and why these ancient drums ...

Viena Abdon

Chinese drums.

Etiquette of the Chinese Lion Dance

The Chinese lion dance plays a vital role in Chinese culture. This dance is often featured during grand business openings, cultural and religious celebrations, and New Year’s. Therefore, it’s fulfilling to encounter a lion costume during events featuring beautiful dancers moving to a lively rhythm.  In addition, you could view the Chinese lion dance as ...

Viena Abdon

A Chinese lion dance costume.

The Importance of Family Teaching and Discipline in Chinese Culture

Since ancient times, the Chinese have paid special attention to family discipline and family education. Famous scholars in history, from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and on down to the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), have all left advice for their family members based on their own experiences. There are also many forms of ...

Mikel Davis

Drawing of a girl wearing ancient Chinese clothing standing in front of a table holding a scroll made from bamboo.

Luxury Explained: Why Jade Costs More than Gold

Jade has been etched into Chinese royalty for centuries, and to this day, it is still revered as one of the most precious stones. Unlike gold, it has a more elegant history and was previously only used by kings and noblemen. Today, it is more accessible to the masses, but it can cost significant money ...

Mike West

Carved jade.

Chinese Tea Culture: Elements of Making Good Chinese Tea

Whether you are planning to attend a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, or just want to make flavorful Chinese tea at home, there are a few essential factors you should know about Chinese tea culture. Making good Chinese tea requires a careful combination of elements. Water purity, water temperature, tea infusion capability, type of teapot, tea ...

Emma Lu

Tea service for Chinese tea ceremony.

Red Ink Taboo: Never Write Chinese Peoples’ Names Using Red Ink

In China, there is a big red ink taboo when it comes to writing other people’s names using red ink (pen). Let’s explore the reasons behind this. In ancient times, a death row criminal’s name was written in chicken blood, and later this evolved to being written in red ink. Thus, in all official records, the names of death sentence ...

Max Lu

In China, it is a big taboo to write other people’s names using red ink (pen).

Ancient Chinese Poem: Family Education Emphasized Morality and Character Building of Their Children

China has a civilization with a history extending back over 5,000 years, and has always been famous for its emphasis on “family education” and building the moral character of its children. The ancients taught their children to cultivate morals to enable them to “consolidate their family, govern their country, and make the world peaceful.”  This valuable ...

Michael Segarty

Two ancient Chinese talking.uilding of Their Children

New Zealand: A New World, a New Life, With Endless Possibilities

There are many reasons for people from China wanting to migrate to New Zealand. It is a peaceful, stable, democratic, and prosperous country with great people, great scenery, and good quality of life. Mary chose New Zealand because of her family pressuring her to get married. She left China when she was 33. Mary once ...

Michael Segarty

Woman sitting on a hill at sunset.

How a Blooming Flower Taught a Young Monk Not to Show Off

Once, there was a homeless youth who went to a temple where he was fortunate enough to be accepted. After he had a bath and shaved his head, the young monk looked quite attractive. The temple master took care of him and taught him basic lessons. He was quite smart and diligent, and soon the master ...

David Clapp

Statues of 3 monks with a flowering plant hanging nearby.