Traditions

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.

The Cultural Ambassador Princess Wencheng (Part 1)

In the 7th century A.D., Tibetan prince Songtsan Gambo became the successor to the Tibetan royal throne. After unifying many tribes, he established a strong kingdom around the capital of Lhasa. In the 12th year of Emperor Taizong’s reign, Song Zanganbu led the Tibetan army to attack Sichuan in western China. The emperor sent General ...

Helen London

Princess Wencheng.

The World Celebrates Falun Dafa Day in New York

When you think of things to celebrate in May, it’s likely that Mother’s Day and Memorial Day spring to mind. But there’s another event, celebrated annually in May, that recently drew close to 10,000 people to New York from around the world: World Falun Dafa Day. The Chinese spiritual discipline Falun Gong, also known as Falun ...

Mikel Davis

World Falun Dafa Day parade in New York City.

How Chinese Celebrate Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a celebration that highlights the importance of those who have given birth to us. In China, it is often celebrated on the second Sunday of May, but it is not an official holiday. Although it is not a very popular event, many Chinese observe it in honor of their mothers. Chinese Mother’s ...

Armin Auctor

Two teddy bears.

Taiwanese Folk Tale: The Legend of Sun Moon Lake

The following is a legend from Taiwan’s aboriginal Thao people about how Sun Moon Lake got its name. Once there was a loving and hardworking couple named Dajiange and Shuishe. One day, when the couple was working in the field under the sun, the earth moved and the mountains shook, and the sky and earth ...

Nspirement Staff

Proper Manners Begin at the Dining Table

Manners are a cornerstone of every culture. And while most manners align with the culture and may be different from each other from culture to culture, one thing they all have in common is respect and dignity for the heritage of tradition and culture. Today, many people believe that manners are something archaic and don’t ...

Hermann Rohr

Chinese family getting food with chopsticks.

The Couple Who Tied Their Hair Together

“Tied their hair together” is a term from ancient China, and it refers to when a man reached the age of 20 and had his hair tied into a crown. When a woman reached the age of 15, she had her hair tied into a bun with a hair-pin. Why is this traditional term used ...

Armin Auctor

Asian woman hair

A Look at Thailand’s Kayan People

In Thailand, there is a tribe known as the Kayan or Padaung people. Originally from Myanmar, the tribe is popular the world over for its women who wear several coils around their long, elongated necks. According to estimates, there are about 600 Kayans in Thailand, while the global population of the community is estimated at ...

Nspirement Staff