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.
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The color red is special to the Chinese people. We love to see it as much as possible on significant occasions such as during the Spring Festival or at weddings. Why do the Chinese have a soft spot for the color red? Does the color carry any special connation for us?
We have just ushered in the Chinese Lunar New Year. It is the Year of the Ox according to the Chinese zodiac. The ox is the second animal symbol of the cycle, coming after the rat. How does the ox get to lose out to the rat and come in second? And what animal sign are you?
Snow is the buzzword at the start of December every year in China as it marks the arrival of Da Xue, or major snow, a solar term indicating midwinter. Did you know that snow means so much more than just fun winter sports?
In China, whether you are in the city or the countryside, it’s not unusual to see a uniquely-shaped traditional Chinese structure that’s wall-less with pillars supporting its roof. It’s called the Chinese pavilion, which both functions as a shelter for people and a part of the landscape as well.
What about going to a place where salons and parties are combined? It’s usually set in a natural environment, near a mountain, along the riverside, in the bamboo forest, or simply in one’s garden.
Lions, though not indigenous to China, have been an important part of Chinese culture. Stone lions have been guarding entrances of buildings silently for centuries. So why this creature among others, and what are they there for?
If winter comes, can spring be far behind? Well, before we talk about the verdant spring, we can't skip winter. With the solar term of the Beginning of Winter having just passed, we have entered the last season of the year. What special meanings does winter carry for the Chinese people?
It seems that people believe drinking hot water can heal almost everything from colds, headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, stress, to even painful menstruation. Well, our obsession with hot water came into being thanks to tea culture at the very beginning.
Sweet Osmanthus is only in bloom for a short time each year. But the Chinese love it so much that they make sure its fragrance lasts the whole year.
Here’s a riddle for you: When autumn comes, as all flowers fall, and everything turns bleak, what blossoms brightly as the sun? I suppose you didn’t guess the chrysanthemum, which is famously favored by the Chinese literati due to its unique characteristics and loved by all others for its various functions. Follow Shen Ting to find out more about the Chinese people’s love towards this amazing flower.
Whenever a fisherman appears, wisdom or philosophy echoes. Confused yet? Click this.
Promise me, if you run into a Chinese person holding an umbrella when the sun is big and bright in the sky, keep your cool. A Thousand Whys will tell you why Chinese people use their umbrellas when there is no sign of rain at all.
What’s the key word in your mind for autumn? Harvest? Red leaves? Fun? But looking through traditional Chinese literature, you’ll probably find a common emotion of melancholy or sadness, which even created a genre called the Mourning for Autumn. Follow Shen Ting in this episode and get into the emotional world of autumn.
Believe it or not, fish are regarded as ethereal in Chinese culture. It’s not only about abundance and success, it also guides people who want to achieve true happiness and freedom, in both life and death.
In China, finding true love doesn’t necessarily involve a chubby, winged little boy with a bow and arrow. We have our own version of Cupid in Chinese mythology. But who is he and what does he do in happily ever after stories?
When you pay a visit to a traditional Chinese structure, whether it’s a pavilion, platform, royal palace or a temple, have you ever noticed the uniquely-shaped and beautifully-decorated eave corners, some of which with an elegant upward curve? Ever wonder whether if they were created merely for aesthetic values or some other functional purposes? Let’s find it out in this special episode of ATWs.
The 7th day of the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, is the reunion day in mythology of a parted couple, but only for once a year. It's also the day when women wish for a better self.
Does the direction a house/apartment faces matter? To the Chinese, the answer is yes. Most Chinese would prefer south-facing homes. What does it mean and why?
My name is Shen Ting. Can you tell which is my given name and which is my family name? How many surnames are there in China? Which are the most common? Get the answers to all these questions in this episode of A Thousand Whys.
Some say that only people with Chinese cultural background can understand the romantic naming of China's spacecrafts. While by listening to this episode of A Thousand Whys, anyone from the English-speaking world could also get a touch of the deeply culture-rooted nature.
We’ve all met craftsmen, carpenters or engineers who are very skillful, capable with their hands, and full of brilliant ideas. Complimenting these guys by calling them ‘modern day Lu Bans’ should be flattering to hear, if they only knew. But who was this “Lu Ban” exactly and why should we know about him?
For the Chinese, Jiangnan is not so much a geographical term as it is a cultural concept, though its literal meaning of "south of the Yangzte River" contains more geographical senses. As a local culture with a strong personality of its own, it has been part of the whole picture of the Chinese culture and making its own contribution for quite a long time.
Why is this cute little landscape in a container regarded as the highest level of art in China? Believe it or not, it represents your inner world.
Why are mountains such a big deal to the Chinese? Why do most legends involve a summit of some sort? What are the “Five Great Mountains” in Chinese folklore and how’d they get this title?
It is the longest river in China. It claims different names for its different parts. It has nurtured a variety of local cultures with distinctive characteristics from the upper reaches to the lower reaches. It is the Yangtze River. Let’s learn more about its past, present and future with Shen Ting.
We dedicate a festival to him and commemorate him every year on the lunar May 5. Get ready for a story about China's first romantic poet, a patriot, and a reformer, Qu Yuan. What does this have to do with romanticism?
As many of us literally survive on electric fans and air conditioners to go through the hottest days of the year, there are still some Chinese keeping the habit of using traditional handheld fans to provide a cool breeze on a hot summer’s day. How do we explain this behavior over the use of fans?
Many states around the world possess their own mother rivers. And for China, the Chinese people almost have a consensus to give this title to the Yellow River, not simply because it boasts to be the second longest river in the country but also because it crades the Chinese civilization. Let's find out more with Shen Ting.
You may have heard of time juggling or dream in a dream in the movie Inception, but do you know the Taoist philosopher Zhuangzi (3rd century B.C.) also touched the definitions of reality vs. illusion in his dream? You may have read about Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, but do you know there’s almost a Chinese equivalence to that, which has also inspired one of the most famous orchestra music works appealing to western ears? These all have something to do with one insect – butterfly....
When some say “Happy birthday” on that special day, we say “May you enjoy health and longevity”. Yes, some Chinese traditions for celebrating birthdays might seem novel to many outside of the culture. Here are some basics for understanding Chinese birthday celebrations.
