ancestral worship, confucianism, filial piety, kibun, korean etiquette, numchi, respect for elders

Respecting Your Elders: Lessons From Korea

Respect for your elders is deeply ingrained in Korean culture. This respect is based on Confucian philosophy and is essential to Korean values and norms. From a young age, children are taught to respect their elders. So even when making important life decisions, the opinion of your grandparents and parents counts. Why is it important ...

Nathan Machoka

An elderly Korean couple.

7 Icons of Traditional Chinese Culture

Chinese culture is over 5,000 years old and has impacted the entire world in many different ways. 7 icons of traditional Chinese culture 1. The spirit of the tea ceremony Chinese tea, such as Xi Hu Long Jing (West Lake Dragon Well) and Yunnan Pu’er, have long been world-famous due to their superior color and flavor. ...

Billy Shyu

Clay teapot and cups sit on a wooden tray on top of a table next to the scenic waterways in Xitang, one of China's watertowns.

No More Traditional Culture as the Last Chinese Villages Are Dying

When we talk about Chinese traditional culture, some of the things that come to mind are the philosophical and ethical teachings of Confucius and the Daoists, the colorful clothing, and the close-knit communities whose members take care of each other. But communist rule has completely wiped out any trace of such culture from the large ...

Armin Auctor

A Chinese villager.

The 10 Admonishments of Imperial Official Lin Zexu (Part 1)

Lin Zexu (林則徐, 1785-1850) was an honest official in the late Qing Dynasty known for his strict crackdown against the opium trade. In 1839, he made a tour of Macao and, seeing the ills plaguing society, penned 10 maxims based on his 54 years of experience to warn against the futility of performing superficial good ...

Emma Lu

A statue of Lin Zexu.

Finding a Spiritual Cure for the CCP Coronavirus Pandemic

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) described the potential outbreak of a multifaceted pathogen, which they called “Disease X” as a placeholder. “Disease X” was characterized as being highly infectious, of unknown origin, and potentially lethal — with wide-ranging implications for social and economic stability should it develop into a global pandemic. The CCP coronavirus ...

Max Lu

A Buddha statue surrounded by crystals.

Here’s Why Chinese Foot Binding Lasted for a Millennium

In China, up until the 20th century, many women had their feet broken in order to make it look more appealing. Known as Chinese foot binding, the practice began with the upper-class court dancers, slowly spreading to the elite, and then to the public. Where Chinese foot binding all began According to the generally accepted ...

Nspirement Staff

A Fascinating Overview of Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism

Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism are the three pillars of Chinese philosophy and have influenced all thinking and actions in China since their inception. Confucianism Confucianism is represented by Confucius (founder, 551-479 B.C.), Mencius, and Xunzi. Literary works include The Analects, the Mencius, and the Xunzi. It is the first important philosophy from the Warring States ...

Max Lu

A statue of Conficius.