The Chinese Culture Company
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!
Happy Year of the Rabbit! In 2023, Chinese New Year (called 春节 Chūnjié, Spring Festival in Chinese) falls on January 22nd, and lasts 15 days, finishing with the Lantern Festival on February 5th. What are the origins of this festival, and how can you best welcome in the Year of The Rabbit?
Continue reading “Essential things to know about Spring Festival 2023!”
“In my dreams, I am a deer running to the land of bliss. In reality, I am a chicken to be thrown to a boiling pot”.
Su Shi (1037-1101) wrote these lines when, facing deadly serious accusations, he was interrogated in prison. A life-changing experience, it even made the poet reconsider his diet! But how did a statesman of national prominence, once called by Emperor Renzong (1010-1063) a future grand councilor, get himself into this situation?
By Ilina Tatiana (edited by Nic Doering)
One of the many attractions for visitors to the Huizhou region of China (modern day Huangshan and Xuancheng cities in Anhui and Wuyuan County in Jiangxi) is the beautiful architecture. The white walls and dark grey tiles have become famous around the world as typically Chinese. One distinctive feature of Huizhou architecture is the stepped roof, known in Chinese as as 马头墙 (Mǎ tóu qiáng): horse head wall.
Read on to find out more!
Continue reading “Five Things to Know About… Horse Head Walls!”
Scrolling through social media, you might see pictures of cute cats. An interface between our personal and social lives, pets’ photos help us express ourselves while keeping a distance. An old trick. Just as we post pictures with cats, Song Dynasty literati (well-educated scholars and/or officials) exchanged poems about the reclusive flowering plum.
By Ilina Tatiana
Continue reading “A Flower In Seclusion: The Plum Blossom in Song Dynasty Poetry”