Traditions

7 Amazing Traditional Costumes From Around the World

One area where every human civilization has invested quite a lot is in its traditional costumes. Each culture that exists or has existed has a specific dressing style that gives its people a unique identity. 7 amazing traditional costumes from all across the world 1. Sari Though India is a country with a mind-boggling variety ...

Raven Montmorency

Good Ol’ Times: The Simple Roadside Barbers of China

In China, barbers used to traditionally operate on street sides. Only in modern times has customer privacy become a thing in barbershops. Nowadays, only a few street barbers remain in China, mostly old-timers who just keep on doing what they’ve been doing for a long time. But when they finally retire, it’ll be the end ...

Max Lu

A street barber.

Made in China Wonders: Incredible Mechanical Kites

Imagine a kite whose parts move about while in the sky. Such kites exist in China. These mechanical kites are created by 81-year-old Zhang Tianwei, a famous artisan from Xi’an. Mechanical kites Zhang comes from a family of kite makers. Since he grew up in an environment where kites were always discussed, Zhang naturally leaned ...

Emma Lu

A mechanical kite shaped like a hawk.

Romance and Fortune: A Look Into the Famous Chinese Lanterns

Chinese lanterns are admired for adding an ambiance of serenity and calmness to the surroundings. You should easily be able to spot them in most Chinese restaurants. Usually red in color, these Chinese lanterns have been in use in China for centuries. Chinese lanterns Originally, Chinese lanterns were not meant to be a decoration, but ...

Armin Auctor

Chinese lanterns.

Meet the Miao: A Chinese Ethnicity With an Unusual Love for Silver

In South China, there lives a tribe called the Miao. Recognized by the state as one of the 55 minority groups in the country, the Miao are famous for a unique characteristic — their love of silver. The women of the tribe often sport exquisite silver accessories. Love of silver For the Miao, silver represents ...

Emma Lu

Miao girl adorned with silver.

Echo of Things Chinese

An amiable and outgoing character, Yongsong Huang’s youthful appearance belies his age of over 70 years. Huang himself is not only the founder, but also the chief planner and art director of Echo of Things Chinese, a Taiwan-based magazine devoted to collecting and preserving traditional Chinese folk culture and crafts. Though he has spent 44 ...

Emma Lu

'Echo of Things Chinese.'

Mooncakes Act as Hong Kong Peoples’ Voice Against Extradition Bill

Eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional custom in China. This custom began in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). At that time, Chinese people were under the cruel rule of Kublai Khan. They were unwilling to endure it any longer and fought against the government. Zhu Yuanzhang united various resistance forces and prepared for ...

Helen London

Mooncakes.

Evanston Independence Day Parade in Chicagoland

The Fourth of July is a time for family, fun, and fireworks. Communities all across America celebrate the day with fun runs, 3-legged races, and pie-eating contests. Another not-to-be-missed activity for many is the Independence Day Parade. And Evanston, Illinois, located just north of Chicago, hosts a good one. The Independence Day Parade in Evanston ...

Mikel Davis

Old cars in the Independence Day Parade in Evanston.

The Cultural Ambassador Princess Wencheng (Part 2)

While the royal couple settled in, Princess Wencheng’s attendants followed Emperor Taizong’s instructions to assist the Tibetan kingdom economically and impart the culture and etiquette of China to the locals. One of the traditional customs practiced by the ancient Tibetans was the daily use of ochre soil to coat their cheeks, as this was thought ...

Helen London

Princess Wencheng.

Diamond-Empress Ma of the Eastern Han Dynasty

Ma Mingde’s demeanor led her to become Empress Ma. The third daughter of the famous Han Dynasty General Ma Yuan, Ma Mingde was only 13 years old at the time of her father’s death and her mother’s mental instability, but she bravely stepped forward to take care of the entire family. She was not only ...

Emma Lu

Empress Ma.