cautionary tales, chinese culture, fortune, life lessons, personal growth
Life is indeed full of unexpected twists and delightful surprises. Yet, in the fabric of fortune, ancient Chinese wisdom cautions against early celebrations in times of apparent joy. Millennials are well-accustomed to seeking continual happiness and evading misfortune, aspiring for an uninterrupted streak of good fortune. However, vintage insights suggest a more restrained approach, especially ...
Everyone hopes to have blessings in their life, not to have to worry about food and clothing, and also to be able to help people in need. But some people have a charmed life, while others have a tough one. Some people may stumble when they are young, but turn their lives around when they ...
Here is a tale about the fortune that comes from doing good deeds. It is said that Heaven wouldn’t allow such a kind person to live less than 100 years. During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, there was a scholar who embarked on a journey to the capital to take the imperial examination. ...
Numbers hold a significant place in Chinese culture, as they are believed to represent different aspects of life, including fortune, harmony, and love. Numbers can be taken as either a good omen or a bad sign, but there is no denying the distinction between the two. Here, we will explore the significance of the lucky ...
Life-changing moments and true tests of character can happen at any time, often unexpectedly – even in the blink of an eye. With no time to think about it, the spontaneous decision that needs to be made at that time can have a profound life-altering outcome. What we really are deep down inside will determine ...
This is the sad story of the prodigal son of the richest man in the late Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), Sheng Xuanhuai. Sheng was a multi-talented and multi-accomplished man; a government official and famous politician, a government-run businessman, a native agent for foreign businesses in China and a representative of the Westernization Movement, an entrepreneur, and ...
Born into a respected family with wealth, riches, and good fortune, you would imagine that that is a great start in life. There was once a rich boy who indulged excessively in drinking and gambling until he lost all his wealth and inheritance, and was driven to desperation. At the time of his despair, an elderly ...
Is there punishment in the afterlife? Ye Zhuliang, a village scholar from a poor family in Huaixi, made his living as a teacher. One day, a rich man by the name of Ma, who lived in the same town, hired Ye to educate his two sons. Soon, Ye earned the respect and kind treatment of ...
The Chinese character fú ( 福) is traditionally seen as a good omen in China, especially around the New Year. Sometimes, people will hang up signs, paper cuts, or embroideries carrying the character fú on them in different places. You’ll find fú in stores, in windows, or dangling from the rearview mirrors of cars. Fú translated into English ...