Archive for category Person in History
Zhou Gong – Chinese God of Dreams
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Notable Figures on February 12, 2011
Zhou Gong, also known as the Duke of Zhou, Zhou Gong Dan or Shu Dan, was the brother of King Wu of Zhou, the first King of the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC).
He was a great strategist and thinker of the early Zhou Dynasty and played a vital role in consolidating the newly-founded Zhou Dynasty. He was also one of the ancient sages most admired by Confucius.
Zhou Gong was also regarded as the God of Dreams as there was a saying from Confucius:” I no longer dream of the Duke of Zhou” which means I do not have a dream about Zhou Gong’s good governance. Read the rest of this entry »
Greatest Navigator Zheng He
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Notable Figures on December 10, 2010
Zheng He, also called Ma Sanbao, was born born in Kunming City of the province of Yunan in 1371 AD. He was the greatest navigator in ancient Chinese history.
In his life time, he successively led his fleet travelled more than 50,000 kilometers and visited more than 30 countries. His first voyage was from 1405 to 1406. During that time, he visited Champa (Vietnam), Java (Indonesia), Sumatra (Lhokseumawe), Lamuri (Banda Aceh), Calicut, Polembang (Palembang) and Malacca. Read the rest of this entry »
Cao Cao
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Notable Figures on September 1, 2010
Cao Cao (155～220), also called the Emperor of Weiwu, is a famous statesman, strategist, poet during the period of Eastern Han Dynasty (25~220). In his lifetime, he unified the northern China and also contributed to the foundation of the kingdom of Wei (220-265).
He showed an aptitude for study when he was very young. He was well versed in both literature and martial arts and is almost omnipotent. Praised as the most successful ruler at that time, he played an important role in unifying the North China, resuming the economical production, stabilizing the social order, the development of agriculture, etc.
Cao Cao is not only a brilliant ruler, but also a great poet. Based on the content, his poetry can be divided into three categories: the disturbances during the period of the late Han Dynasty (202BC~220), his wishes of unifying China and his stubborn enterprising spirit. One of his most famous poems is Tortoise Lives Long.
Cao Cao is always a controversial historic character, which makes him more sincere. However, no one could deny that he is an outstanding statesman, strategist and poet.
the Twelve Beauties of Jinling – Qin Keqing
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Beauties on August 10, 2010
Qin Keqing is one of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling (refers to the twelve excellent ladies) in the book of The Dream of Red Mansions. She is one of the most significant character and her real identity and early death are also amongst the most mysterious in the book.
Qin Keqing is the adopted daughter of Qin Bangye and wife of Jia Rong. However, she also has an affair with her father-in-law. She is described as one of the most beautiful and most lamentable women in this book.
She was more of a delusory figure than a real person in this book. In the chapter five, Jia Baoyu dreamed that he was led by fairy Jing Huan (Qin Keqing) to a fantasyland. Read the rest of this entry »
Fragrant Concubine – Xiangfei
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Beauties on August 1, 2010
Fragrant Concubine (1734~1788), also called “Xiangfei” or “Rongfei” in Chinese history, is the only Uighur maiden among the forty Empresses of Emperor of Qianlong (1711~1799).
In 1759, Xiangfei’s family helped the Qing troops put down a rebellion between ethnic groups. They were called to the Palace to confer a title. In order to show their gratitude, Xiangfei’s family chose Xiangfei to serve the Emperor of Qianlong. She was soon fully favored by the Emperor. Later, she was conferred the highest-ranking imperial concubine by the emperor.
However, she was more of a legendary figure than a real person in the Chinese history. It was said that her body emitted fragrant aura since she was born. Even the butterflies would come around her due to the fragrance. However, why Xiangfei’s body emitted fragrant aura is still a mystery. Some hold that it was caused by the special tea Xiangfei often drank. Some others argue that the distinctive environment of her childhood was the answer.
The fragrant concubine’s burial ground is also a mystery. Which place is her last resting place, Xinjiang province, Taoranting (the weeds heap) of Beijing, or the Royal Garden Tomb of Qing Dynasty? No one knows.
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