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 »
The following ancient Chinese fable about the value of persistence as a pathway to success was told to Chinese students and would-be government officials preparing to take their final and imperial examinations. (Please click or tap on any thumbnail to view it in full screen and make it readable.) This Article was published
A Chinese Fable : The Carp that Leapt Over the Dragon Gate Read More »
Traditional children’s games and toys have undergone a number of changes over the past hundred years. The simple handcrafted leaf boats of rural China have given way to sophisticated computer games. However, there is a growing trend among parents and educators to return to non-tech or traditional toys and games for children, especially during Covid
The Lunar New Year and Children at Play Read More »
Once again, the Ghost Month Festival has officially begun in Taiwan (on August 19th) and there has been a rush to purchase enough ghost money to last until the Gates of Hell close for another year, on September 16th. (Please click or tap on any thumbnail to view it in full screen and make it
Wandering Spirits Arrive in Taiwan Read More »
All over Taipei, rows and rows of large round red lanterns have been put up outside temples, department stores, local businesses, homes and throughout public parks and gardens, in preparation for the final celebration of the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival. (Please click or tap on any thumbnail to view it in full screen
New Year Lanterns Under a Full Moon Read More »
Our guide was motioning for us to hurry, as our small group stood appreciating the cool blasts of air in the main lobby of the Taipei National Palace Museum (NPM) on an unusually hot late autumn morning. As we walked towards the Curio Gallery, where some of the NPM lacquerware collection was on display, our
The Possessions of Emperors : Chinese Lacquerware Read More »
