Ancient Chinese Culture: Basic Facts & Terms

  • Bu Huo (Free from Doubts / Age of Forty)

    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…

  • Er Shun (耳顺, Receptive Ears / Age of Sixty)

    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 (Duanwu Festival)

    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 (The Commentary of Zuo)

    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.

  • He Bo (The River God)

    He Bo (Lord He, River Lord or the River God, 河伯) is the god of the Yellow River in Chinese mythology, originally named Feng Yi. Legend has it that Feng Yi tragically drowned while crossing the river, after which the Lord of Heaven appointed him as He Bo (Lord of the River) to oversee…

  • The Reforms of Guan Zhong

    After Duke Huan of Qi ascended the throne in 685 BC, he appointed Guan Zhong to implement a series of policies aimed at enriching the state and strengthening its military, which are also known as the “Reforms of Guan Zhong” (or the Guan Zhong Reforms).

  • Guan Zhong

    Guan Zhong (?–645 BC) was a prominent statesman in the early Spring and Autumn period. His given name was Yi Wu, his courtesy name was Zhong, and he was a native of Yingshang. Initially serving under Prince Jiu, he was later recommended by his close friend Bao Shuya and appointed as a high-ranking minister…

  • Yi Yin

    Yi Yin was a prominent minister in the early Shang Dynasty. His given name was Zhi, while “Yin” was his official title. Originally a slave serving the ruler of the Youshen tribe, he yearned to join Tang of Shang after hearing of the latter’s virtue and benevolence. When Tang married a woman from the…

  • Confucius

    Confucius (551–479 BC) was a thinker, statesman, and educator of the late Spring and Autumn period, as well as the founder of the Confucian school of thought. Born Kong Qiu, with the courtesy name Zhongni, he was a native of Zouyi in the State of Lu (located in present-day southeast Qufu, Shandong Province).