Category Archives: Inspiration

Chinese Lore- A selection of Mythical Flora (1)

Shadow Wood Physical Description: A tree distinguishable because in the day-time, each of its leaves has one hundred of the Chinese character that means “shadow” on it while at night its flowers will shine like stars. This tree will only bear fruit every 10 000 years. Its fruits are as large as a melon, withContinue reading “Chinese Lore- A selection of Mythical Flora (1)”

Remarkable Women in Ancient China (3)- Ban Zhao

Who is she: The first female historian in Chinese history, a renowned politician and poet Author of the influential text “Lessons for Women” that is inextricably linked to female suppression Notable life events: Born into the prestigious Ban family (which was reputedly the descendants of a famous philosopher in the Warring State Period) as theContinue reading “Remarkable Women in Ancient China (3)- Ban Zhao”

Remarkable Women in Ancient China (2)- Empress Dou

Who is she: Wife to Emperor Wen, mother to Emperor Jing and grandmother to Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) A woman who has risen from a root of poverty to have influence across three different reigns Notable life events: Born into a poor family in the province of Qinghe in theContinue reading “Remarkable Women in Ancient China (2)- Empress Dou”

Remarkable Females in Ancient China (1)- Dugu Qieluo

If you are curious why I’m doing this series because you missed last week’s post, check it out here.  Who is she: Wife to Yang Jian, founder of the Sui dynasty (581-618 AD) which was built on the demise of the Northern Zhou dynasty when Yang Jian made its last Emperor yield the throne toContinue reading “Remarkable Females in Ancient China (1)- Dugu Qieluo”

Remarkable Females in Ancient China- coming to you soon!

Yes, I’m creating yet another lot of quarterly serial posts both so I can more or less stick to it and it might dovetail into other related posts (still chewing over possibilities). So essentially, this lot of new posts will feature remarkable female figures from ancient China that I compiled mostly from Chinese Wiki andContinue reading “Remarkable Females in Ancient China- coming to you soon!”

Chinese Lore- Legendary Chinese String Instruments (Guqin) (3)

Now, the last of this series: Pillar Circler Appearance & Characteristics: Its name came from a story published in a famous ancient text: a renowned female singer from the Han region in the Zhou dynasty who was travelling to the Qi kingdom but ran out of money half way and so had to resort toContinue reading “Chinese Lore- Legendary Chinese String Instruments (Guqin) (3)”

Chinese Lore- Legendary Chinese Broadswords and Knives (Dao) (2)

The broadsword that I’m describing today has really dramatic and awesome lore.   No. 7: Cold Moon Appearance & Construction: Forged by Madam Xu of the Warring States period before the Qin Dynasty.   Lore: There is a very grand lore surrounding this blade. Specifically, it goes as follows: Madam Xu was originally a scholarContinue reading “Chinese Lore- Legendary Chinese Broadswords and Knives (Dao) (2)”

Chinese Lore- Legendary Chinese Broadswords and Knives (Dao) (1)

Another of my Chinese lore posts and this time it would stretch across a number of posts. Pictures for some of the “weapons” in this submission can be seen at http://baike.baidu.com/view/795444.htm. What’s available are for no 4 up to no 9. Same as usual, I’m starting with no. 10 and working backwards to no. 1.Continue reading “Chinese Lore- Legendary Chinese Broadswords and Knives (Dao) (1)”

Chinese Lore- Legendary Chinese String Instruments (Guqin) (2)

Continuing from last time, here’s the next snippet and the last one of this series will be posted this Friday/Thursday. Scorched Tail Appearance & Characteristics: Made from a scorched block of wood from a Chinese parasol tree, its name is derived from the fact that the tail of this instrument shows visible scorch marks. Lore:Continue reading “Chinese Lore- Legendary Chinese String Instruments (Guqin) (2)”