Armin Auctor

Honesty Is an Essential Canadian Virtue

According to Canadian federal court documents, Mrs. Wu, a Chinese citizen, is very wealthy. In 2009, she applied to immigrate to Canada, along with her husband and 10-year-old son. Mrs. Wu provided a birth certificate for her son to prove their relationship. While reviewing the documents, the immigration officers questioned her honesty and the authenticity of ...

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The Canadian flag.

The Chinese Character for Jade, 玉

Let’s do an easy word this time – The Chinese character for jade! 玉 (yù) is another word based on the ideogram for king, 王 (wáng). The only difference is that there’s a tiny dot on its lower right side, which resembles an amulet on the king’s gown. The oldest form of 玉 displays a ...

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Jade on display in Jade City, British Columbia,Canada.

‘China’s Mona Lisa’ Is Almost 6 Yards Long

One of the most famous Chinese paintings, often referred to as “China’s Mona Lisa,” has a connection to the annual Qingming Festival that is celebrated in April in the Western calendar. China’s Mona Lisa The real name of “China’s Mona Lisa” is Qingming Shanghe Tu. Qingming (清明) means “clear-bright,” and Shanghe Tu (上河圖) means “going-along-the-river-picture.” ...

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Bianjing city gate depicted in the Song Dynasty painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" from the 12th century.

Tips on Drinking Tea for the Elderly

Many retired people enjoy sipping tea while reading a newspaper, yet few are aware of both the benefits and drawbacks to drinking tea. Few can argue against the health benefits of tea, but if you drink tea under certain conditions, there may be health consequences. In the following situations, it is wise to avoid drinking ...

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Greater Than the Sky: Reflections on the Classic Sayings of Laozi

Laozi was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is known as the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, the founder of philosophical Taoism, and a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions. He once said: “Those who persevere have willpower.” This has become my motto. Every night, I force myself to read for ...

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A 16th century Ming Dynasty ink drawing of Laozi.

5 Sleeping Positions That Reveal Your Destiny

Who would’ve thought that even the way you sleep can reveal things about you? According to traditional Chinese medicine, sleeping positions indicate character and destiny. In Chinese, this ancient field of study is referred to as 相學 (xiàng xué). 5 Sleeping positions 1. Side-sleepers Side-sleepers are the kings of sleeping. Side-sleeping has connotations of good ...

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Brunette female sleeping on her right side under a sheet and blanket.

7 of the Best Hidden China Travel Destinations

Here are seven of the best hidden China travel destinations, which are not so famous and thus are far less crowded. Yi Chun in Heilongjiang: Appreciate the lingering charms of autumn Yi Chun (伊春) is the definition of a quaint forest town. It is in the region of the Lesser Khingan Mountain Range (小興安嶺), which ...

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Roof line of an ancient Chinese building as seen through the trees with changing leaves in fall.

The Positive Power of Meditation on Your Health

Meditation can restore your body to its optimal condition and enhance the functions of internal organs. It is especially beneficial for people with chronic diseases and refractory symptoms, such as hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, cerebral vascular insufficiency, migraine, cold limbs, rheumatism, and night sweats. When doing meditation, people need to calm down ...

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Young woman meditating in the park.

Giuseppe Castiglione’s Chinese Paintings

Giuseppe Castiglione (July 19, 1688-July 17, 1766) was an Italian Jesuit Brother, a missionary in China, and a painter at the Royal Court of the emperor, who had a marked influence on Chinese painting. Giuseppe Castiglione was a missionary In 1715, Giuseppe Castiglione went to China as a missionary. While in China, Castiglione took the ...

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Giuseppe castiglione's painting of peonies.