What were the ancient Chinese people doing thousands of years ago? They were working, eating, and having fun. It seems that their lives weren’t all that different from ours today.
Before the invention of electricity, fire became an important source of warmth, and ancient people created various heating devices using fire as the medium. Some of these methods are still in use today. Let’s take a look! Ⅰ. Fire-Heat Floor Heating Fire-heat floor heating involves building a circulating flue system Read more…
“The cold winter deepens, as snow buries a thousand homes.” In the depths of winter, as the year draws to a close, the Qianlong Emperor’s court created a vivid depiction of the twelfth month in the Yongzheng Court’s Twelve Month Festivities (宫廷画十二月行乐图). The painting captures lively scenes from the Old Read more…
Ⅰ. Decorative Items The decorative items in the palaces of the Forbidden City during the Qing Dynasty can be regarded as a collection of exquisite art treasures from various dynasties. With their exceptional craftsmanship and beautiful designs, they were considered important artworks in the Qing court. The many items displayed Read more…
Ⅰ. Buddhist Temple Supplies The rulers of the Qing Dynasty were deeply devoted to Buddhism, and Emperor Qianlong, in particular, was a strong believer in the Yellow Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, also known as the “Lamaist” tradition. During the Qianlong period, as the central government in China gradually stabilized, strengthening Read more…
Cloisonné enamel craftsmanship generally consists of several steps: design, shaping the base, wiring, applying enamel, firing, polishing, and gilding. This technique involves using soft flat copper wires to create various patterns, which are then welded onto a metal base. The spaces within these patterns are filled with enamel glaze, and Read more…
After the Chinese New Year holiday, many people wear their Chinese new year outfit are slowly adjusting back to their work routines. But in the Qing Dynasty, the emperor had a strict daily schedule too. Let’s take a look at how a typical day for a Qing emperor was spent! Read more…
Hairstyles have evolved over time to become more than just symbols of beauty; they also reflect social status, cultural background, and the changing tides of history. In our previous posts, we’ve explored the history of women’s hairstyles in ancient China from the primitive era to the Song dynasty. In this Read more…
In the previous article, we already know the hairstyles of women from the prehistoric period to the Han dynasty. In this blog post, we will continue to explore the evolution of ancient Chinese women’s hairstyles, following the historical timeline. This period marks a transition from division and chaos to a Read more…
The ancient Chinese believed that “the body, hair, and skin are received from one’s parents, and one should not dare to damage or harm them.” This is why you’ll find that both female and male Hanfu are quite modestly and fully covering. Hair, as a part of the body and Read more…
Archery, equestrianism, wellness practices, football, golf… Do you think these sports only gained popularity in the modern era from the West? In fact, ancient China had similar activities long before, hundreds or even thousands of years ago. For example, cu ju was the precursor to football, and chui wan was an early Read more…