Known more commonly in the West as Kwan Yin, this merciful Goddess is worshipped and revered all through Chinese culture. She is considered a bodhisattva, a being in Buddhism that has achieved a high level of enlightenment. For non-Buddhists, she is simply seen as a Goddess. In some regions, early images of Guanyin are male [...]
As we near the end of 2014, it’s time to look ahead to the next year on the Chinese calendar: the year of the Sheep. Sometimes associated with the ram or the goat, the new year starts on February 19th 2015. If that seems different from last year, it’s because the Chinese year is based [...]
In Chinese culture, the symbol of the sheep is a very lucky one and the docile animal plays a role in many myths and tales through history. The written character for “sheep” was often used for “luck”, and the animal has been considered lucky ever since. Sheep were a common wedding gift, adding to their [...]
To people who’s first language is English, trying to understand Mandarin Chinese can seem like an impossible task. It’s certainly not going to be something you can master in a single afternoon but there are a few handy hints to helping you pronounce Mandarin Chinese. The language has 21 consonants and 16 vowels, and there [...]
For varying reasons, many Americans are looking to China to adopt babies. For one thing, the process for Chinese adoptions is very well-documented and it’s a more predictable system than American adoptions. All adoptions for the entire country are managed by the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) so you always know who you have [...]
Representing the Chinese Emperor himself, the symbol of the dragon is a potent one in Chinese culture. Of all the many animal symbols that are important in the history and culture of China, it’s the dragon that reigns supreme. Unlike the dragon found in Western mythology, a Chinese dragon is usually a long and sinuous [...]
China is a nation of romantics. Chinese people adore love stories and have communally passed down many ancient tales of romance and love through the generations. Though there are literally hundreds of love stories in Chinese culture, there are several that are remembered most often and considered beloved tales. Among the most famous of China’s [...]
Animal symbolism has a long history in Chinese culture. The famed zodiac animals are one such example of creatures representing notable characteristics and themes. However, this is not the only instance of Chinese animal symbolism; there are several creatures, both real and mythical, that represent romantic themes and ideas related to love. Mandarin ducks are [...]
In Chinese history, there were hundreds of emperors throughout various periods or dynasties. Listed below are some interesting facts about emperors of China. The first emperor of China: Yin Zheng of Qin Dynasty (221 BC–206 BC) The last emperor of China: Pu Yi of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD) The Chinese emperor who reigned for the [...]
Asian nations played an important role in the development of martial arts. Among the many forms of martial arts originated in the Orient, Chinese kung fu, Japanese karate and Korean tae kwon do certainly top the list. Chinese kung fu is a general designation to any form of the various Chinese martial arts, especially those [...]