Raven Montmorency

13 Taboos to Avoid When Using Chopsticks

Chopsticks have been a part of Chinese life since ancient times. There are customs and rules for properly using chopsticks. These rules are very particular, but they are followed quite naturally by Chinese who grow up with them. To start, lay your chopsticks together on the right side of the bowl before the dishes are ...

Raven Montmorency

A hand holding chopsticks.

Ancient Chinese Secret: The 8 Trigrams of Bagua

The 8 trigrams of Bagua (八卦) are a set of ancient symbols with mystical meanings. These symbols pervade Chinese civilization. The eight trigrams have influenced the development of many aspects: martial arts, fortune telling, fengshui, literature, religion, architecture, and philosophy are just some of the areas that are based on or influenced by the eight trigrams. The ...

Raven Montmorency

The eight trigrams of the Chinese Bagua.

Using the Yin-Yang Theory to Pair Animals in the Chinese Zodiac

The Jade Emperor in Heaven held a race to determine the order of months when constructing the Chinese calendar. Thirteen different animals were invited, and 12 made it across the finish line and they form the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese calendar consists of 12 lunisolar years that are associated with these 12 different animals. A ...

Raven Montmorency

Dragon sculpture in a fountain in front of an office building.

Which Chinese Tea Is Best for You?

There are many types of Chinese tea, each with unique tastes and health-enhancing properties. Here are some benefits and practical uses of five common teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Green Tea Made from Camellia sinensis leaves, green tea has potent antioxidants called catechins, which help eliminate free radicals responsible for DNA damage. Because ...

Raven Montmorency

Loose Chinese Tea Leaves on a table

Berberine: The Essence of the Golden Thread

Before going on long trips, it is common for Chinese people to assemble a set of Chinese herbal medicine pills in order to prepare themselves for minor medical emergencies. Taking berberine is a must. Many of my patients often come to my clinic to purchase these herbal pills before they travel. Berberine is one of ...

Raven Montmorency

Old brown medicine bottles lined up on a shelf.

The History of Silk in Ancient China

Of all Chinese inventions, the history of silk (絲 sī) is perhaps the oldest. Traces of silk fabric have been found among remains from around 1300 B.C. The use of silk in China possibly goes back even much earlier. It’s said that until the second century B.C., silk remained an article known only to the ...

Raven Montmorency

Old-time Chinese silk weaving workshop.