Today, Chinese masks are usually associated with Chinese New Year or Chinese opera. Those are the two most common occasions when we can see people wearing them. In the past, they had more functions - from scaring evil spirits to celebrating various events. If you were wondering what do all these masks actually mean, you will find the answer to that and many other questions here.
Chi Lin, or Qilin (麒麟), or Kirin in Japanse, is a mythical animal shaped like a Chinese Dragon with one, or sometimes two, antlers with similarities to the Western Unicorn. Hence, the Chi Lin is also often translated as Chinese Unicorn.
Pi Xiu (貔貅), or Pi Yao in some modern translation is one of the celestial beings in Chinese mythology besides the four major celestial beings (Azure Dragon of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Tortoise of the North).
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.
The Dragon Turtle is a Chinese mythological creature with the head of the Celestial Dragon and the body of a Celestial Tortoise, hence the name 'Dragon Turtle', and is one of the most important mythological creatures in Chinese culture and Feng Shui.
Goldfish hold a special place in Chinese culture, symbolizing prosperity, abundance, and good fortune. Their vibrant colors, graceful movements, and serene presence make them more than just ornamental fish—they are living emblems of wealth and success. In Chinese, the word for goldfish (金鱼, jīn yú) sounds like "gold" (金, jīn) and "abundance" (余, yú), reinforcing the belief that keeping goldfish can attract financial luck and continuous prosperity.
China, as well as many other Eastern cultures, is deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy and metaphysics, with symbolism plays a very big role even in today’s Chinese culture in the form of Feng Shui. An important characteristic of Feng Shui is to use charms and decorations to enhance your house’s or business’s harmony with its surroundings, which is believed to improve positive energy while also protecting it from bad luck.
The Feng Shui amethyst crystal tree or amethyst gem tree is a popular charm/cure in traditional Feng Shui that can be used in a variety of applications from attracting wealth fortune to improving relationship harmony to attracting true love, among others.
The three-legged money frog statue is one of the most popular Feng Shui cures or enhancers that is especially associated with fortune and wealth. The statue is based on a mythical three-legged frog that, according to Chinese folklore, appears every full moon near houses or businesses that will soon receive good fortune.
Practicing Feng Shui at home requires the understanding and balance of its three major aspects: Qi (the life force occupying all living things), Bagua (your home’s natural center of energy), and the elements (water, fire, earth, metal, and wood). Like the other elements, water is crucial for Feng Shui. When it’s calm like in a lake, it represents wisdom, intuition, and insight.
