(何謂君子) 5 min read Chinese often use the term junzi (君子) to describe a person of good character. Before the time of Confucius (孔夫子, c. 551–479 BCE), junzi referred to princes or aristocrats. Confucius and his followers redefined the term to mean a person of exemplary ethical qualities and high learning. Although the term—in […]
What Makes a Virtuous Person—According to Confucius Read More »
(半部论语何以治天下) Many historical figures have profoundly shaped Chinese civilization through their political, philosophical, military, cultural, and technological influence. Defining Figures is an open-ended series of profiles of individuals whose actions and ideas left transformative, lasting legacies in the development of Chinese civilization, spanning three millennia. While countless others made significant contributions, those featured in this
Confucius on Governing Read More »
(蔡伦造纸) 4 min read The biography of Cai Lun (蔡伦) in the Records of the Later Han Dynasty (后汉书), compiled in the 5th century, states: “In ancient times, writing was generally done on bamboo strips or on pieces of silk, which were called paper. But silk was expensive and bamboo was heavy, making both
Cailun, the Inventor of Paper Read More »
(敦煌遗书中的秘密) 4 min read Twenty kilometers from the town of Dunhuang (敦煌)—a major crossroads on the ancient Silk Road—lie hundreds of Buddhist cave temples carved into cliffs bordering an endless expanse of sand dunes. Collectively known as the Mogao Caves (莫高窟), this complex represents one of the world’s greatest repositories of Buddhist art and
The Forgotten Secrets of the Dunhuang Read More »
(海外华人来自何方) 6 min read According to a 2020 United Nations estimate, approximately 10.7 million people of Chinese ethnicity live outside China. If their descendants are included, this figure rises to at least 60 million. Among this population, the largest communities reside in Thailand, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, the United States, Singapore, Canada, and other
Who are the Chinese Overseas? Read More »
(中国的节日) 5 min read Festivals, deeply embedded in Chinese traditions, are key parts of Chinese culture. They are not only markers of the seasons to be celebrated, but also powerful expressions of cultural identity, values, and social cohesion. They provide occasions for social interactions, family gatherings, and the transmission of cultural knowledge to the
(孙悟空何许“人”也？) 5 min read In 629 CE, during the Tang dynasty (唐朝), Xuanzang (玄奘), a Buddhist monk, set out from the Tang capital of Chang’an (长安)—present-day Xi’an (西安)—on a pilgrimage to India. His journey followed routes long used by merchants trading with the Western Regions (西域), along what are now collectively known as the
Who is Sun Wukong? Read More »
(佛教艺术的宝库—敦煌) 5 min read From the 4th to the 14th centuries CE, the city of Dunhuang (敦煌), in northwest China, stood at a critical junction on the ancient Silk Road—a network of trade routes connecting China with Central and West Asia. To the east, the Silk Road led more than 1,500 kilometers to China’s
Dunhuang—the Crown Jewel of Buddhist Art Read More »
(年画的魅力) 3 min read One of the traditional practices for celebrating the Chinese New Year is decorating one’s home with New Year woodblock prints known as nianhua (年画). Blending folk art, popular belief, and cultural symbolism, nianhua has remained popular for more than a millennium and continues to be appreciated today. Symbolic motifs
The Charm of New Year Woodblock Paintings Read More »
(画里的秘密) 3 min read The painting Night Revelry of Han Xizai (韩熙载夜宴图) is set in the waning years of the Southern Tang dynasty (937–975), a time of political instability and impending crisis. It was commissioned by Li Yu (李煜, 937–978), ruler of the Southern Tang, who considered appointing Han Xizai (韩熙载) chancellor after ascending
The Painting with a Secret Plot Read More »
