A long time ago, in ancient China, there were four beautiful women who are now known as the "Four Great Beauties" 四大美女 (Sì Dà Meĭnǚ). They were said to be the most beautiful ladies in ancient China. Each of them has been the source of an expression used to describe someone of remarkable beauty.
This time I will share with you a fable from the book "Leaves From My Chinese Scrapbook "by Henry Balfour (as always, you can find the link to this book at the end of the article). Based on Confucius' teachings, this story focuses on Mr. Fan's son, Tzŭ-hua, and a modest man named Shang Ch'iu-k'ai. Through their story, we learn an important lesson about the power of faith and the influence one person can have on others.
Qiu Jin was born in 1875, during the final decades of the Qing dynasty—a time of deep unrest in China. Foreign interference, internal rebellions, and the decline of imperial rule created a nation in crisis.…
The Hungry Ghost Festival is one of the Chinese major festivals that is focused on venerating the ancestors, just like other festivals like the famous Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping Festival) and the Double Ninth Festival.The Hungry Ghost Festival is also known as the Zhongyuan Festival (中元節), and is celebrated every 15th day of the 7th month. As with any other Chinese Festivals
The stories of great emperors are frequently rich in insights and teachings that transcend time in the history of ancient China's wisdom. One of these stories is the Yellow Emperor fable by Lieh Tzu, about an emperor whose journey from self-indulgence to self-discovery reveals the real meaning of contentment and the way to effective leadership.
As the name “Double Seventh” suggests, the Festival is held every 7th day of the 7th month. However, keep in mind that as with other Chinese Festivals, the Double Seventh Festival, or also called Qixi Festival (七夕), is celebrated based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar rather than our Gregorian Calendar, so it is celebrated on different dates each month, typically around July or August.
Fortune-telling is an important part of Chinese social life and culture. Suan Ming (算命), or fate calculation, has a long history in China, with roots in divination and primordial religion. Nevertheless, many aspects of it have persisted to the present day and continue to be quite popular, even among young people.
In the realm of ancient Chinese philosophy, wisdom flowed like a serene river, carried by the teachings of great minds such as Lieh Tzu, a devoted disciple of Lao Tzu. Among Lieh Tzu's profound parables, the fable of “The Two Robbers” stands as a timeless lesson about the art of perception and the profound insight it bestows.
The Chinese Elm (Ulmus Parvifolia) is one of the most popular types of bonsai trees that are grown by many bonsai and gardening enthusiasts.
A key reason for this popularity is because unlike many other types of bonsai trees that are difficult to manage and need lots of concern and time, the Chinese Elm bonsai is relatively easy to handle due to its large natural resilience and vigor.
In fact, many bonsai experts would recommend the Chinese Elm tree for beginners and first-timers who are just looking to cultivate their first bonsai. The Chinese Elm, for instance, can tolerate several neglects due to its vigorous nature and can thrive both indoors and outdoors for versatility.
For much of history, women in China were expected to follow the “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” (三从四德), a Confucian doctrine that emphasized submission to fathers, husbands, and sons. Their roles were largely confined to…