Category: Chinese culture

Ancient Chinese Ritual Vessel ...

The Jubao Pen, also known as the “Treasure Basin,” is a powerful symbol in Chinese culture and feng shui practices. Rooted in ancient traditions, this iconic vessel is believed to attract wealth, abundance, and good fortune. Whether you’re new to feng shui or a seasoned practitioner, understanding the Jubao...

Ma Xiao Rolling Lanterns were created by the people of Lin’an County to welcome Empress Dowager Xiao Hui during her provincial visit. Made of pine wood and bamboo, they are crafted into disc shapes with long sticks at their axes and adorned with fabric decorated with beautiful patterns. This...

The Blue Lion Lantern of Lin’an, a unique traditional folk cultural activity in Tuankou Town, Lin’an District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, has become a shared cultural memory for local people and beyond due to its unique charm and profound historical and cultural significance. The perfect combination of the Blue Lion and...

In the town of Tuankou, located in the southwest of Lin’an City, Hangzhou, a ancient and mysterious art form has been passed down to this day, known as the Divine Beast Lantern. This is a familial ritualistic lantern dance, renowned for its unique style and profound cultural significance, attracting...

The Red-Haired Lion, a name well-known in the vicinity of Fenghuangshan at the foot of the Phoenix Mountain in Tuan Kou Town, Lin’an City, is more commonly referred to as the “Transforming Lion.” Every festive occasion or joyous event in the village calls for the performance of this Red-Haired...

The Wei Tang Da Lian Fa, also known as Wei Tang Acrobatics, is a traditional folk acrobatic performance art that originated in Weizhong Village, Weitang Street, Jiashan County. It is also considered a form of folk dance. The main props used in this performance are wooden mallets, approximately 30...

The “Liangzhou Attacking Drum Dance” is a folk drumming and dancing art form passed down in the northern villages of Liangzhou District, Wuwei City, Gansu Province, especially in the Siba Town area. This art form has a history of nearly 2000 years and is considered to be a remnant...

A ceiling is a component used in buildings to cover the top, and a domed ceiling is specifically referred to as a “coffered ceiling.” Each square of the coffered ceiling is metaphorically called a “well” and is decorated with exquisite patterns, carvings, and paintings, hence the name coffered ceiling....

Zhoushan Archipelago, located in the eastern waters of China, is the country’s largest archipelago. With abundant water sources, a unique water-fetching tradition called “Carrying the Well Maiden” has developed among the locals, making it one of the most distinctive and mysterious customs in the region. The tradition of Carrying...

“Jiao” is an ancient Chinese wine vessel that originated and developed during the pre-Qin period, used for pouring and serving wine. Similar in form to a “Jue,” it lacks a pouring spout and a column. Initially a common wine-serving vessel, it was intended for use by lower-ranking nobility. The...

Yezixi Play, also known as “Leaf Cards” or “Yezi Ge,” is an ancient Chinese card game that dates back to the Tang Dynasty. After centuries of development, it gradually became a popular form of entertainment. Yezi Ge is an ancient Chinese card game, similar to “Sheng Guan Tu,” played with...

“Yandaodouhu,” also known as “Salt Pile Tiger Dance” or “Tiger Fighting,” derives its name from choreographing a set of dance movements imitating the actions of a tiger, such as pouncing, leaping, biting, cutting, rushing, and slapping. Each tiger is portrayed by two performers, while four heroic figures lead the...

The Bench Dragon, originating in the Heluo region, is a traditional folk activity widely observed during the annual festivities in various provinces and cities in southern China. This Lantern Festival custom has been practiced for several centuries. In particular, it has become a significant folk event in Fujian, embodying...

Purification Ritual（祓禊fú xì）, originating from ancient religious ceremonies, is a traditional folk activity in China aimed at dispelling ominous forces and seeking happiness. Celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month each year, people gather by rivers and lakes to conduct worship ceremonies and participate in various...

A “Memorial Tablet” is referred to as a “spirit tablet,” “ancestral tablet,” or “ancestor tablet” in English. It is a wooden or paper plaque on which the names of deities, ancestors, or other revered figures are written or carved. These tablets symbolize the presence of the deity or ancestor...

The “Six Arts” refer to six essential skills within the aristocratic education system of ancient China, particularly during the Zhou Dynasty. These skills are:礼 (Lǐ) – Rituals, 乐 (Yuè) – Music and Dance, 射 (Shè) – Archery, 御 (Yù) – Charioteering, 书 (Shū) – Calligraphy, and 数 (Shù) –...

Brick carving, an ancient artistic form originating in China, particularly holds profound historical roots in regions such as Shanxi and Shaanxi. Brick carving refers to the intricate carving of various patterns and images on blue bricks. Its exquisite craftsmanship and diverse forms have been widely applied in decorating and...

“Huotang,” also known as “fire pit” or “fire hearth,” is a 1-meter-square earthen area inside a house. In the past, three stones were set up in the fire pit for the purpose of cooking and boiling. Later on, iron tripods were used instead. The main fire pit is filled...

“Dragon Scale Binding,” also known as “Dragon Scale Pattern Binding” or “Whirlwind Binding,” is a form of ancient Chinese bookbinding. Its distinctive feature involves folding the pages of a book in a zigzag pattern, then connecting them using fish-tail paper. The pages are sequentially adhered, resulting in a long,...