Who is She? One of the known female generals in ancient China and potentially the only one that had spent some time in a humble situation Notable Life Events It is not really known what is her actual birth name but it has been passed down since Ming literature that her name is Hong YuContinue reading “Remarkable Women in Ancient China (26)- Liang Hong Yu “
Category Archives: Inspiration
The Role of Etiquette in Chinese culture (2)- Left versus Right
There are two aspects to which left versus right is important in Chinese culture. The first is that unlike Western society where right is considered the power position, it’s the reverse in Chinese culture. By the power position, I mean both seating arrangements and whether you walk to the left or right of someone else.Continue reading “The Role of Etiquette in Chinese culture (2)- Left versus Right “
The Role of Etiquette in Chinese culture (1)- Titles and Personal Addresses
This topic is actually inspired by my study in translation (I started my graduate certificate in translation in the middle of July) and I thought etiquette does play a very important role in Chinese culture, all the way from ancient times. Before I delve into the topic area of this post, I will just listContinue reading “The Role of Etiquette in Chinese culture (1)- Titles and Personal Addresses “
Remarkable Women in ancient China (25)- Zhao Rao
Who is she? The nanny of Emperor Ling of Eastern Han dynasty, the last second Emperor of the dynasty Notable Life Events The only known fact about her origin is that she was a palace maid but eventually selected to be nanny to Emperor Ling In January of AD 168, the death of Emperor HuanContinue reading “Remarkable Women in ancient China (25)- Zhao Rao”
Remarkable Women in Ancient China (24)- Xun Guan
Who is She? A girl who lifted a siege at the age of 13 Notable Life Events The fifth generation grand-daughter of Xun Yu, a major advisor to the warlord Cao Cao who won the titanic struggle of the famous Three Kingdom period at the end of the Han dynasty, Xun Guan was born inContinue reading “Remarkable Women in Ancient China (24)- Xun Guan”
Fictionalising Historical Figures in Chinese culture
I don’t think Chinese is the only culture that fictionalises historical figures. I mean, this is a practice that is still ongoing when we think about historical fiction as a genre whenever it leverages a well known historical figure. But this is the focus of this post given the nature of this blog. I’m notContinue reading “Fictionalising Historical Figures in Chinese culture”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (26)
This is the last post for this particular series. Lin Physical Description: A hound-like beast with tiger-like claws, scaled. Special Properties: It is good at jumping and pouncing. Consuming its meat can cure some health condition Gui Physical Description: A turtle-like creature with a red head and a white body. Special Properties: It has fireContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (26) “
Remarkable Women in Ancient China (23)- Qiu Jin
Who is She? A feminist, revolutionist and writer/poet Notable Life Events: Born in 1875 (end of the Qing dynasty) as Qiu Gui Jin, to a family of government officials- her great-grandfather was a provincial governor, her grandfather and father held official positions in Taiwan. She got married in 1896 which was considered late for herContinue reading “Remarkable Women in Ancient China (23)- Qiu Jin”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (25)
Dai Bird Physical Description: An owl-like bird with three eyes and ears. Special Properties: Its call sounds like that of deers. Consuming its meat cures diseases to do with too much moisture. Yao Physical Description: A pheasant-like bird with a long tail, a red body and an indigo beak. Special Properties: The sound its makesContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (25)”
Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (24)
Fei Fei Physical Description: Shaped like a racoon dog but a white tail. Special Properties: Adopting it as a pet removes anxieties. Long Chi Physical Description: Looks like a horned pig. Special Properties: Consuming its meat prevents nightmares. Flying Fish Physical Description: A pig-like fish with red patterns on its body. Special Properties: Consuming itsContinue reading “Chinese Lore- a selection of mythical fauna (24)”
