“I am the son and heir of nothing in particular.” — “How Soon Is Now,” The Smiths With the reign … More
Tag: zhou dynasty
Origin of the Cold Food Festival
Each year in early April, the Chinese remember the dead on the festival known as Qingming. On this day, families … More
Laozi and Confucius walk into a bar…
They didn’t walk into a bar together, but it’s sobering to think that these two monumental pillars of human thought … More
The Spring and Autumn Period
“Ancient scholars studied for their own improvement. Modern scholars study to impress others.” — Confucius With the benefit of hindsight, … More
False Alarms: No Zhou-King Matter
It went great for the Zhou for a couple hundred years—for the legacy of the Duke of Zhou and his … More
The Duke of Zhou and the Mandate of Heaven
“I must be slipping. It’s been too long since I have dreamt of the Duke of Zhou.” — Confucius When … More
Hao and Wen: Lady General and Prisoner King (Shang Dynasty)
At the Yinxu ruins in Anyang, I visit the underground tomb of Lady Fu Hao, wife of King Wu Ding. … More
My China Year 