buddhist, button knot, double money knot, endless knot, knot-tying, knotting, lucky knot, meaning, ming dynasty, qing, song dynasty, tang dynasty, ten thousand knot, traditional chinese culture

In Ancient China, Knot Tying Was a Special Art Form

Beautiful and elaborate, intricate while following simple rules, knot tying is part of China’s 5,000-year history, and prehistoric records attest to their use in recording all manner of important events. There are a number of Chinese sayings that explain the role of knot tying in ancient China, like “to tie knots in a string for ...

Jessica Kneipp

Five different chinese charms with different styles of knotting.

The Rich Are Worth Just a Few Dollars More

We share 3 wisdom and insight stories to help you take another look at your life’s balance sheets to determine whether you are rich, very wealthy, or poor. You may be surprised at what you find. 1. How to know if you are really rich or poor A rich Singaporean who was known for his ...

Michael Segarty

Man holding Revenue, Balance, and Taxes binders.

Why the Color Yellow Filled the World of Ancient Chinese Culture

According to legend, the patriarch of Chinese civilization was the Yellow Emperor. The birthplace of Chinese civilization was the Yellow Earth Plateau (Loess Plateau). The cradle of the Chinese nation was the Yellow River, and the descendants of the Yellow Emperor have yellowish skin. Since ancient times, the color yellow has been an integral part ...

Jessica Kneipp

A golden buddha statue with a yellow robe.

Awe-Inspiring Luxury: Chinese Tang Dynasty-Style Handbags

Tian Qi’s Tang Dynasty-inspired handbags came about when Qi, an avid art collector and architect, came across an exhibition poster of Japan’s Nara museum, he was intrigued. The poster showed the image of a Tang pipa instrument that had a round flower and light-colored square pattern decoration on it. The simplicity of the design and ...

Raven Montmorency

DUANMU wooden handbags.

12 Health Tips From the Father of Chinese Medicine, Sun Simiao

Sun Simiao (A.D. 581-682), a famous Chinese physician in the Tang Dynasty, passed down 12 health tips. The tips are simple and easy to do. If you practice them consistently, they can improve your health and promote longevity.  12 health tips of Sun Simiao 1. Head twist Place your hands on your waist, close your ...

Nspirement Staff

Sun Simiao.

Ancient Architecture: The Dule Temple

One of China’s oldest heritage sites is situated in a small town called Jixian more than a hundred kilometers from Tianjin City. The Dule Temple, roughly translated as “Solitary Joy Temple,” claims to be the oldest timber structure in Asia. This ancient Buddhist temple is more than a thousand years old and holds substantial architectural ...

Emma Lu

The Dule Temple.

Generous and Broad-Minded Empress Zhangsun

In ancient times, it was really rare for a queen like Empress Zhangsun to be generous and broad-minded. Empress Zhangsun was the wife of Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin) of the Tang Dynasty who became emperor shortly after the incident at Xuanwu Gate where he defeated and killed his brothers, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, who ...

Helen London

Empress Zhangsun.

Accepting and Correcting One’s Own Wrongdoings

Emperor Taizong of Tang, also known by his original name Li Shimin, discussed the lessons of the demise of the Sui Dynasty because of his wrongdoings with his ministers. He believed that Emperor Yang of Sui brutally refused to accept any admonishment, which had the effect of terrifying his officials. They subsequently did not dare ...

Jessica Kneipp

Emperor Taizong.

The Emperor and the Death Row Promise

Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was one of the wisest and greatest emperors in Chinese history. The reign of Taizong (626-649), also known as the “era of good government of Zhenguan,” earned the admiration of generations of Chinese people. He was famed for his innovations in administration and renowned for his virtues. In the ...

Michael Segarty

Prison cells.

Great Emperors of Ancient China: Taizong of Tang

One of the most extraordinary emperors in the history of China, as regarded by historians, was Taizong of Tang. With his encouragement and assistance, his father, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, overthrew the Sui Dynasty, propelling China into a golden age — the Tang Dynasty. Who is this man whose life and triumphs are larger than ...

Emma Lu

Emperor Taizong.