2026 – Sue The Wordsmith

Galloping into Good Fortune : Welcoming the Vibrant Year of the Fire Horse!

The Chinese New Year of 2026 welcomes the Horse, a symbol of energy, freedom, and forward motion, and the mood around it always feels especially lively. The festival itself goes back more than three thousand years to ancient agrarian China, where families celebrated the turn of the lunar calendar with offerings to ancestors, prayers […]

Sheltering Stories : The Enduring Art of Oil Paper Umbrellas in Meinong, Taiwan

Publications / 2026, Author : Sue Babcock, Culture / January 31, 2026

Nestled in southern Taiwan’s Meinong, a Hakka haven, exquisite oil paper umbrellas embody cultural heritage. Rooted in ancient Chinese traditions, these handcrafted items blend bamboo frames, layered cotton paper, artistic motifs, and tung oil waterproofing. Symbolizing prosperity and protection, they feature in weddings and rituals. Revived amid modernization, they attract tourists, preserving Hakka artistry and storytelling through vibrant, symbolic designs.

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