Bai Gao Physical Description: A tree that looks like paper mulberry but has red patterns. Special Properties: Its sap looks like paint but tastes sweet. Those who eat it will feel full in the stomach and have their tiredness relieved. It can also be used to dye stones and jades. Jia Fruit Physical Description: AContinue reading “Chinese Lore- A Selection of Mythical Flora (6)”
Category Archives: Inspiration
Chinese Lore- A Selection of Mythical Fauna (5)
Ao (pronounced ou as in ouch) Physical Description: A massive turtle Special Properties: None Lore: When Nu Wa mended the hole in the sky, she was said to have broken off the four legs of an Ao to mark the furthest point in the four directions. There are also a legend of there being threeContinue reading “Chinese Lore- A Selection of Mythical Fauna (5)”
Remarkable Women in Ancient China (12)- Zhongli Chun (Zhong Wu Yan)
Who is she: One of the Four Greatest Uglies Wife to the Lord of the Kingdom of Qi in the period of the Warring States The actual historical figure’s name is Zhongli Chun but in dramas and movies she more often go by the name of the Zhong Wu Yan Notable Life Events: Still unmarriedContinue reading “Remarkable Women in Ancient China (12)- Zhongli Chun (Zhong Wu Yan)”
Chinese Lore- A Selection of Mythical Flora (5)
Qi Physical Description: A tree that looks like populus with red patterns, with tree sap the colour of blood and does not bear fruits. Special Properties: Coating a horse with its tree sap can tame it. Di Wu Physical Description: A barbed tree whose leaves are shaped like peppers and bears red fruits. Special Properties:Continue reading “Chinese Lore- A Selection of Mythical Flora (5)”
Nuances of the Chinese language (3)- Sampled Dialect Differences
This is probably the last of this set of serial posts. So I’ve talked about how three different dialects of Chinese sound like to me in the very first post. Today I will provide some concrete examples so you can see for yourself how different each is. Example 1: Different units for a kiss TheContinue reading “Nuances of the Chinese language (3)- Sampled Dialect Differences”
Remarkable Women in Ancient China (11)- Bao Qian Guang
Who is she: More commonly known as Bao Gu (Aunt Bao), she is one of the four greatest female physicians in ancient China Wife to Ge Hong, a renowned Daoist, physician and pharmacist. Both she and her husband were worshipped later as immortals. Notable Life Events: Born sometime in the Jin dynasty (266 to 420Continue reading “Remarkable Women in Ancient China (11)- Bao Qian Guang”
Nuances of the Chinese language (2)- Family Relationships
In direct contrast with English, there are a lot more distinct terms for describing immediate and extended family relationships. There are separate terms of an elder versus younger sibling as well as delineations of whether the relationship originates from the fraternal versus the maternal side. Now before I actually start, note that I’m mostly stickingContinue reading “Nuances of the Chinese language (2)- Family Relationships”
Nuances of the Chinese language (1)- Written versus Spoken
This new serial post is actually inspired by the fact two Internet friends asked me about the Chinese language, separately but with a coincidental timing that was very close to each other. So let’s start with the basics. First, we have to distinguish with the written language and the spoken language. There are only twoContinue reading “Nuances of the Chinese language (1)- Written versus Spoken”
Remarkable Women in Ancient China (10)- Wen Xiu
Who is she: Once concubine to the Last Emperor of China Puyi, otherwise known as Consort Shu or the Good-hearted Consort Notable Life Events: Born on 20th of December, 1909, to a Mongolian family that was part of the Manchurian Eight Flag army Entered Puyi’s Court at the age of 12 as Consort Shu (itContinue reading “Remarkable Women in Ancient China (10)- Wen Xiu”
Chinese Lore- A Selection of Mythical Fauna (4)
Blue Snake (aka Southern Snake) Physical Description: A fairly normal snake (further details unknown) Special Properties: Its head contains a strong poison but its tail can serve as a poison antidote. Lore: It was said that people living south of ancient China* has managed to create a very strong poison known as the Blue PoisonContinue reading “Chinese Lore- A Selection of Mythical Fauna (4)”
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