Hou Yi (后羿), also known simply as “Yi,” is traditionally regarded as the chieftain of the Youqiong tribe of the Dongyi people during the Xia Dynasty (夏代东夷有穷部落), renowned for his exceptional archery skills. He once overthrew the rule of Tai Kang of the Xia Dynasty and seized the throne, but was ultimately killed due…
This is an ancient myth and legend. Yu (大禹) was the chieftain of the Xiahou clan (夏后氏), also known as Xia Yu or Rong Yu (夏禹、戎禹). According to tradition, his father, Gun (鲧), was ordered by Emperor Yao to control the floods. Gun stole the Heavenly Emperor’s “living soil” (息壤, Xirang) to build dikes,…
Ganjiang (Gan Jiang) and Moye (Mo Ye) were a married couple and renowned master swordsmiths from the State of Wu during the Spring and Autumn period. They once forged sharp swords for the King of Wu. Later, they were commissioned by the King of Chu to cast swords, a task that took three years…
Guzhu (孤竹, also written as “觚竹”) was an ancient state during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. It is first mentioned in oracle bone inscriptions (甲骨文) from Yinxu (殷墟) and bronze inscriptions (金文) from the Shang dynasty. It was a vassal state of the Zi surname (子姓) and Mo clan (墨氏), with its capital located…
This term describes the state of being able to clearly discern all principles of things and no longer feeling perplexed. It originates from the Analects (Wei Zheng chapter): “At fifteen, I set my heart on learning; at thirty, I took my stand; at forty, I was free from doubt; at fifty, I knew the…
The term originates from the Analects. Confucius once stated, “At sixty, my ear was an obedient organ for the reception of truth” (or “At sixty, my ears were attuned”).
The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The character “Duan” means “beginning,” and since the fifth lunar month is referred to as the “Wu” month, the festival derived its name. It is also known as the “Duanyang…
Zuo Zhuan is a prominent ancient Chinese historical text, traditionally attributed to Zuo Qiuming of the Spring and Autumn period. It is also known as Zuo’s Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals or The Spring and Autumn Annals of Zuo.