The Chinese have over the centuries, developed a belief system and symbols for warding off evil. Various methods continue, even now, to be used to prevent bad spirits from entering one’s home or workplace. During the Tang dynasty (618-907) posters of door gods were among the more popular methods of seeking protection. These traditional posters […]
The Chinese Lunar New Year : Door Gods and Firecrackers Read More »
History and traditions are closely related to the lives of our ancestors. For the Taiwan Truku, also known as Taroko people, their society is a kinship or ‘gaya’ society, where home is the center of the tribal unit. Grandmothers and mothers are significant in the passing of the tribe’s oral history and traditions to the
The Woven Threads of Truku Ancestral Spirit Culture Read More »
“Duo Bao Ge” (多寶格) is the Chinese term given to the imperial “treasure boxes.” Their sole purpose was to store small and intricately carved objects. These wooden boxes and cases with their lacquered drawers, shelves of various sizes and shapes were individually made to contain a specified number of objects. Craftsmen from within China, as
Favorite Treasure Boxes of the Emperors Read More »
Exploring the diverse culinary traditions and cultures within our international and local communities, past and present, offers readers unique opportunities to learn about the rich histories and changing cultures that are associated with different countries and their food traditions. (Please click or tap on any thumbnail to view it in full screen and make it
Past and Present Culinary Traditions Read More »
Chinese emperors of the royal Zhou dynasty traditionally worshiped the harvest moon in autumn. Being an innovative agricultural society, they thought that heavenly worship rituals, especially to the god T’ien, would bring about future and bountiful harvests for the people. (Please click or tap on any thumbnail to view it in full screen and make
The Mid-Autumn – Moon Festival Read More »
Living in Asia is not boring. If you’ve been here for a while you most likely have a treasure chest of cross-cultural stories that will leave your listeners shaking their heads in either agreement or disbelief. Whatever the case, shared stories are a big part of our Taiwan overseas experience. Martial law was still in
Ghost Month : Serving the Good Brothers Read More »
A week ago, a male cicada unexpectedly “landed” on my balcony. I was busy puttering at the other end when he arrived. It was only when I began to hear some strange clicking noises that I stopped what I was doing and went to check them out… (Please click or tap on any thumbnail to
The Cicadas’ Loud Songs of Summer Read More »
Asian dragons and myths are inexhaustible topics, especially around the time of the Dragon Boat Festival. In Chinese, the word for dragon is “long,” and is associated with the earth branch of the five elements. The dragon is considered the most powerful of all the creatures within the Chinese zodiac; however, it is ranked number
The Mythical and Powerful Dragons of Asia Read More »
Holding sticks of lit incense between both his hands, Mr.Wang looked at where his ancestors were resting and bowed to them. Sheets of paper money were removed from their bundles and burned. This money, I was told, will then be transformed as the smoke rises, taking it to their ancestors.
Tomb Sweeping – A Time of Remembrance Read More »
My love of Chinese folk art began many years ago, during our trip to the old Shang dynasty capital city of Zhengzhou in Henan Province. It was the week before the Lunar New Year and city marketplaces were teeming with crowds of gigantic proportions. (Please click or tap on any thumbnail to view it in
A Curious Chinese Folk Art Encounter With A Tiger Read More »
