Journey to the West
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Four Great Classical Novels on October 29, 2010
Journey to the West，written by Wu Cheng’en (1505–1580), also called “Xi You Ji” in Chinese and Monkey in English, is regarded as one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The story contains many layers of meaning and can be read on different levels, such as a fantasy, an adventure, the self-cultivation of the Monkey King and even a social satire.
This novel was based on the real events in history. During the period of late Sui Dynasty and early Tang Dynasty, a monk named Xuanzang (602 – 664), who was a famous Buddhist scholar, traveler and translator, went to India to further his study of Buddhism. Read more »
Peachwood Charm
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Myths on October 27, 2010
Peachwood charm, also called tao fu in Chinese, is the early form of the Spring Festival couplets. The famous couplets go that “Firecrackers ring out the old, Couplets ring in the New”. Here, couplets refer to peach wood charms.
According to the book of Shan Hai Jing, there was a big peach tree on Dushuo Mountain at the seaside. Its branches could stretch three thousand miles long. There also existed a ghost cave nearby. Concerned that the evil spirits might harm the human beings, the Jade Emperor assigned two gods Shen Tu and Yu Lei to guard the gate of the cave. If the evil spirits were found to cause any harm, the two gods standing under the peach tree would tied them up and fed them to the tigers. Read more »
Chinese Tunic Suit
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Clothing on October 25, 2010
Chinese Tunic Suit, also called “Zhongshan Zhuang” in Chinese, is a kind of traditional male attire. It has led the trend of Chinese male clothing fashion for many years and is also regarded as one of the popular clothes worn by men in recent years.
It was named after Sun Zhongshan, the pioneer revolutionary of modern China. Between 1920s and 1930s, the government civil servants in China were all required to wear it. Gradually, it became the male uniform at that time and was even regarded as the national dress at that period. Read more »
Hundun
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Myths on October 23, 2010
Hundun is one of the four fiends in ancient Chinese mythology. The other three fiends are Qiongqi, Taowu, and Taotie.
According to the ancient literature of Shan Hai Jing, it was depicted as a dog-like or bear-like monster with four wings and six feet. It was red all over its body. Although without five sense organs (ear, eye, nose, skin, tongue), it had a thorough knowledge of dance and music.
Legend goes that the ancient emperor Hong was described as a shameless and vile, obstinate, stupid, and unfriendly person. He had no descendants and only regarded himself as his closest friend. Read more »
Tusu Wine
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Drink & Food on October 21, 2010
Tusu Wine is a kind of famous wine traditionally drunk during Spring Festival. Ancient Chinese believed that drinking the wine could flush away the previous year’s maladies and bring good luck.
Several kinds of Chinese herbs, such as rhubarb and the root of fangfeng, will be immersed in wine to make the Tusu wine. It is said that the original ingredients of the wine is a prescription attributed to Hua Tuo, a renowned pharmacist during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and Three Kingdoms Period (189-280). It can disperse cold, expel epidemic diseases and ward off some diseases. Read more »
Follow Me
