A Thousand Whys

Why has the snake, often feared, been revered in Chinese culture and become one of the 12 zodiac animals? How is it portrayed in artifacts, and what does it symbolize in China compared to other cultures? In this episode, we explore the serpent's evolving meanings in Chinese civil ...  عرض المزيد

Like the finest wines, the best inspiration for poetry is brewed and vivified, if served in the right vessel. In this episode, we present a phoenix-headed tricolor ceramic wine vessel from the Tang Dynasty, some 1200 years ago. In what ways did it influence the development of Chi ...  عرض المزيد

How did the water dropper help artists enter the right creative mindset for traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting using the color of black only? In this episode, we present the "Yandi" from the Yuan Dynasty about 900 years ago. How did Chinese green ware gain world recogni ...  عرض المزيد

What role did jade play in ancient Chinese rituals? In this episode, we delve into an artifact that embodied authority and order in the Yangtze River Delta 5000 years ago and explore its connection to urban planning and state governance in early Chinese society. Special Than ...  عرض المزيد

What did owls symbolize 3,000 years ago in China? How were they linked to an ancient woman known as the goddess of war and a female politician of vision at that time? In this episode, we uncover the story of Queen Fu Hao, from the Shang Dynasty, through the bronze owl vessels fou ...  عرض المزيد