Porcelain, One of the Most Exquisite Chinese Inventions

Porcelain, as indicated by its popular name “china,” or “fine china,” is one of the grandest Chinese inventions and dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty (196-220). The Chinese term for it is Ci (瓷) or Ciqi (瓷器). The term comes from the Italian “porcellana,” which originally referred to a kind of white cowrie shell. ...

Max Lu

Porcelain plate with a decorative background showing details of the vintage blue and white willow pattern.

What Are the Top 5 Chinese Inventions?

In its long history, there have been many spectacular Chinese inventions. Here are my top 5 favorite Chinese inventions 1. Silk Silk is one of the greatest Chinese inventions. The history of silk began 5,000 years ago with a Chinese legend. Empress Leizu, who was the wife of Emperor Huang Di (also known as the Yellow Emperor), was ...

Emma Lu

Chinese-style painting with water and bridge in foreground and misty mountains in background.

Ancient Chinese Inventions That Were Truly Ahead of Their Time

The ancient Chinese were arguably the most sophisticated engineers in history, as can be seen in the variety of ancient Chinese inventions. They used chrome on their swords as early as the Qin Dynasty in 300 B.C. They were the first to construct a working torpedo and floating fortresses that moved by propellers, and they designed snorkels ...

Max Lu

Chrome bumper on a car.

Zhang Heng’s Famous Chinese Inventions

Zhang Heng (A.D. 78-139) was a Chinese astronomer, mathematician, inventor, geographer, cartographer, artist, poet, statesman, and literary scholar from Nanyang, Henan Province, China. He is noted for many ancient Chinese inventions. He was well-versed in the fields of mechanics and gears, and applied his extensive knowledge in several of his ancient Chinese inventions, such as the world’s first water-powered armillary ...

Max Lu

A drawing of Zhang Heng, the Chinese astronomer, mathematician, seismologist, hydraulic engineer, inventor, geographer, cartographer, ethnographer, artist, poet, philosopher, politician, and literary scholar who lived during the Han Dynasty.

5 Great Chinese Inventions

There are five great Chinese inventions you probably don’t know were invented in China. Did you know that the Chinese first used tear gas almost 2,000 years ago? Did you also know that they were able to fly into the air with the use of kites and land with parachutes? What sounds like science fiction ...

Emma Lu

Chinese kite flying in cloudy sky.

Chinese Cultural History: Showing Prosperity Through Long Fingernails

Would you believe that a poor farmer founded the most influential dynasty in Chinese history? The Ming Dynasty was founded by Emperor Hongwu, a commoner who became a rebel leader and led an uprising. This era is one of the three golden ages in history, and the economy was hugely improved.  Aside from the improvements ...

Viena Abdon

Empress Dowager Cixi with long fingernails.

Chinese Porcelain and Its Influence on Europe

When Chinese porcelain first came to Europe in the 14th century, it was a rare and expensive item. The potters of Jingdezhen, China, created this fine item in mass quantities. Generally, the Jingdezhen production method was a guarded secret, known only to a few. However, as demand increased, European potters began manufacturing valuable blue-and-white ceramics. ...

Viena Abdon

Blue and white Ming porcelain.

Teaware Is One of Ancient China’s Greatest Inventions

When speaking of ancient China and inventions, teaware would certainly be near the top of the list. Teaware, like tea drinking customs, was developed out of the needs, tastes, and trends of people at different times. In order to be able to appreciate teaware — or any works of art — we need to first understand some ...

Emma Lu

A small table with one chair set with a tea pot, tea cups, and a pot of white orchids.

Silk Weaving, One of Ancient China’s Greatest Inventions

Among ancient China’s greatest inventions, silk weaving would have to be near the top of the list. Silk comes from a natural protein fiber that is composed mainly of fibroin produced by the Bombyx mori caterpillar, which spins a cocoon. The silk threads are taken from silkworm cocoons that have been boiled and silk weaving turns the ...

Emma Lu

Silk weaving – Newly spun silk on a spindle at a silk factory in Inle Lake, Myanmar.

The 24 Solar Terms in the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar

This February 12th, Chinese people welcomed the Year of the Ox in keeping with the tradition of China’s lunisolar calendar. Celebrations and festivities observed on specific days make this Chinese celebration grand, something fun to watch or participate in, even if you are not Chinese by birth. Like many Asian countries, China follows the lunar ...

Emma Lu

A collage of trees seen in all four seasons.