Throughout the long tapestry of Chinese history, few groups have held a position as unique, complex, and frequently misunderstood as the imperial eunuchs. To modern readers, the practice of castration may seem distant, yet within…
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.
Have you ever noticed how your energy shifts with the changing seasons, or why a particular color or flavor seems to calm your mind after a long day? In traditional Chinese thought, these are not…
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.
In the bustling rhythm of modern life, the concept of “balance” is often thrown around casually. We speak of work-life balance, balanced diets, or feeling “off-balance” when stressed. Yet, few frameworks explore this concept with…
When many people hear “Traditional Chinese Medicine” (TCM), they often picture a bowl of bitter herbal soup or thin needles inserted into the skin. While these are indeed important tools, they represent only the surface…
