What is the most auspicious day in a year?
To answer that, we might as well first talk about something in the ancient Book of Changes. Numbers from 1 to 10 have either yin or yang characteristics.
Oct 11, 2019•8 min
A Thousand Whys
A Thousand Whys is tailor-made for curious minds about China and the Chinese culture.
This podcast offers fascinating facts about what this ancient civilization has to offer, covering a wide range of topics including history, philosophy, literature and arts, lifestyle, science, and the natural world.
Subscribe to learn "what are the Chinese ways and why", for free.
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Episodes
Who invented silk and how?
Smooth and shiny, soft yet strong, silk is considered a symbol of luxury for thousands of years. It frequents runways of fashion weeks, and is the popular choice of royalty and nobility. But did you know that silk was one of the longest kept industrial secrets in the world? Have you ever wondered how silk was invented?
Oct 01, 2019•8 min
Why do some Chinese people tend to have more meat upon the arrival of autumn
Autumn is here! As nature will soon cast its magic on mountains and woods by adding various charming colors, the weather is also getting colder and colder. In China, especially in the north of country, many people follow such a folk custom called as "pasting the autumn fat" by eating more meat at this time of year. Sounds weird? But don't draw a conclusion so easily until you finish listening to this episode with our host Shen Ting.
Sep 22, 2019•8 min
You’ve got a date with the moon
Every year when the summer heat is gone, and the moon is full and bright, it’s time to celebrate. On what the Chinese call the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Moon Festival, the moon is the absolute center of attention. Do you have any idea how much we are fascinated by our cosmic neighbor?
Sep 11, 2019•7 min
The charm and magic behind the Chinese calligraphy
In modern days, people are writing less and less with pens. Instead, the computer and smart phone have taken place to function as the method of conveying or recording information and messages. But in China, there are still quite a large quantity of people practicing the traditional Chinese handwriting, or the Chinese calligraphy. What's the charm and magic behind it? Let's find out more.
Sep 02, 2019•10 min
Cicadas - the spiritual insects
Cicadas have a rather short life, but they signify rebirth and immortality in Chinese folklore and art. They’re known for their noisiness, but useful in Chinese medicine in treating ear-ache, sore throat, husky voice, and sick eyes. (Photo by Xie Yanan)
Aug 25, 2019•7 min
Are all Chinese people kung fu masters?
Chinese people are considered to be good at martial arts, or Kung Fu. There is Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li to name just a few of the masters the world may well know. But are all, or most of the Chinese people good at Kung Fu as some may assume?
Aug 18, 2019•6 min
Lotus - the favorite summer flower of the Chinese people
Ask any Chinese people about his or her favorite flower in summer, you would probably get the same answer - the lotus. It is beautiful, it is fragrant, and it contains some cultural messages that really enchant the Chinese people. You'll surely find out more after listening to this episode.
Aug 11, 2019•10 min
50 shades of qing
50 Shades of Qing... greenish blue, blueish black, blackish green...
Aug 04, 2019•6 min
Why wood, not stone?
If you lived in ancient times and wanted to build a house, what materials would you use for the framework? In China, the answer was wood. Why?
Jul 28, 2019•7 min
Why did Sichuan food stand out among all other cuisines in China?
For a Chinese person, Sichuan Cuisine means something that can really bring out your great appetites, no matter whether you are a lover of spicy food or not. How could the food coming from a province in southwest China become a knock-out cuisine that has won most stomaches throughout the country? Let's find out with Shen Ting.
Jul 21, 2019•9 min
Why are there glass animals on the eaves?
Playing with fire, standing for justice, fighting for peace... mythical animals can do a lot that humans are not able to. These glass animals are often seen on the upturn eaves of Chinese imperial buildings. Find out who they are and what they're good at.
Jul 14, 2019•5 min
Why Is 8 THE luckiest number?
The world of numbers is fascinating. While designers are obsessed with the golden ratio 1.618, and mathematicians with Pi 3.1415926, the Chinese people tend to mostly favor the number 8. But why?
Jul 07, 2019•6 min
Why chopsticks, not fork and knife?
Why do the Chinese people love using chopsticks, which look so hard to master for many westerners? Why do they not throw these two sticks away and turn to use fork and knife like many people in the rest of the world? Listen to the show and find out reasons in terms of funtions and cultural connotation contained in chopsticks.
Jun 30, 2019•12 min
Why is scented sachet lifesaving in ancient China?
Shirley shares the secret about the one accessory that's also a lifesaver in ancient China.
Jun 23, 2019•5 min
Why do you see patterns of blue and white on many China wares?
If you’ve a chance to go to a museum and take a look at the section of the Chinese relics, you’ll be sure find many exhibits of China wares. But have you ever noticed that many of them are in the pattern of blue and white, which is a unique style to differentiate the porcelain works of China from other countries? Why do Chinese people love the pattern of blue and white so much and even give it a name as Qing Hua Ci?
Jun 16, 2019•9 min
Why are phoenix eyes noble?
You may say this kind of eyes is slanted eyes. We don’t. We say it’s phoenix eyes, and it's considered noble in ancient China. While doctors may say it’s epicanthal fold, and it's good to protect the eyes from extreme sunlight and cold weather. Now the question is: Why are these eyes considered noble?
Jun 10, 2019•9 min
Why do we love dragons?
The stories of the dragon are told in many cultures in the world. Some dread it. Others adore the legendary creature so much that there is popular saying that they are the descendants of the dragon. It’s not the Targaryens. It’s the Chinese we’re talking about. But why?
Jun 04, 2019•6 min
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