Chinese Culture & History

    Han Dynasty in China

    During the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), agriculture, handicrafts, and commerce were well developed. During the reign of Emperor Wudi (Liu Che, 140-87 B.C.), the Han regime reached the period of its greatest prosperity. The multi-ethnic country became more united Continue Reading

    Middle Dynasties in China

    Han Dynasty was followed by the Three Kingdoms Period (220-265) of Wei, Shu, and Wu. It was followed by the Jin (265-420), the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589), and the Sui Dynasty (581-618). A jade item displayed at Beijing Forbidden Continue Reading

    Ming and Qing Dynasties

    In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Nanjing, and reigned as Emperor Taizu. When his son, and successor, Zhu Di, ascended the throne, he started to build the palace, temples, city walls, and moat in Beijing. In Continue Reading

    Modern Era in China

    The Revolution of 1911 is of great significance in modern Chinese history: the monarchical system was discarded with the founding of the provisional government of the Republic of China. The victory was soon compromised by concessions on the part of Continue Reading

    Getting Good Luck in a Zodiac Year — Wearing Red

    According to Chinese tradition, there are some things that people can do to fend off bad luck in a zodiac year. By Wearing Red — Drive Away Bad Luck wear red clothesWear red clothes.Red is one of the luckiest colors Continue Reading

    What is the ‘God of Age’ Star (Tai Sui)?

    Tai Sui doesn’t actually exist as a real star! (It roughly corresponds to Jupiter, which takes 11.86 years to orbit earth, and is probably where the idea for the star came from). It’s an imaginary star that changes position exactly Continue Reading

    What a Year of the Rooster Is

    The Rooster is tenth in the Chinese zodiac. Each year is related to an animal sign according to a 12-year cycle. Years of the Rooster include 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, and 2029. Are You a Rooster? Continue Reading

    The Rooster’s Personality

    People born in a year of the Rooster are very observant. Hardworking, resourceful, courageous, and talented, Roosters are very confident in themselves. Active, Amusing, and Popular Among a Crowd Roosters are always active, amusing, and popular within a crowd. Roosters Continue Reading

    Winter is coming, as autumn is here

       Meanwhile, in Sichuan Province, people put a few red beans in water and drink it on this day. The brew is called “立秋水 (autumn begins water),” and also serves the purpose of dispelling summer heat.    Believe it or Continue Reading

    Chinese Cloisonne (Jing Tai Lan)

       During the reigns of Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911), cloisonne improved and reached its artistic summit. Colors were more delicate, filigrees more flexible and fluent, and scope was enlarged beyond the sacrifice-process wares Continue Reading