Category: Chinese History

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Fu Hao: an exceptional woman in early China

“Fu Hao’s childbearing will be good . . .  After thirty-one days, … she gave birth; it was not good; it was a girl.”

 Among many divinations that king Wu Ding of Shang (1250-1192 BC) made about his beloved spouse Fu Hao, the one about her childbearing was predicted to be good. But it wasn’t; she gave birth to a girl. Why was having a daughter with his beloved wife (also a military general and priestess) so bad, in spite of the fact that her mother was so powerful? This may have to do with the fact that Fu Hao was the exception, not the rule.

By Ilina Tatiana (edited by Nic Doering)

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Five Things to Know About… the Erhu

The erhu is a Chinese two-stringed musical instrument played with a bow. Although you’d never guess it now, the erhu was rare in northern China before the 1920s. It was introduced to Beijing by innovative musician Liu Tianhua (1895–1932) and it quickly became very popular. Now it can be seen played in virtually every park in the capital!

Read on to find out five fascinating facts about the erhu!

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The Dog in Traditional Chinese Culture

It might be the Year of the Rabbit but at Cultural Keys we’ve been inspired by our two recent rescue dogs, Teddy and Mr. Percy, to look in more detail at the dog in Chinese history, art and legend. Each month we’ll look at a different aspect of the dog in traditional Chinese culture as well as introduce you to a few special pups who need your help!

China’s relationship with the dog is a long one. In fact, dogs may have been domesticated in East Asia as long as 25,000 years ago – long before China even existed. It’s well known that China is the home of several famous dog breeds such as the Pekingese and the Chow Chow, but what else do you know about the dog in traditional Chinese culture?

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The Days of Spring Festival 2023

Chinese New Year, known as Spring Festival (春节) in Chinese, is much more than just New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! Starting from New Year’s Day, the entire festival actually lasts 15 days! Read on to find out more information about some of the most important days of the festival and the history and traditions to be aware of, as well as exactly which date they fall on! 

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