At a Green Jade Table—A Song about the Lantern FestivalAuthor: Xin Qiji (1140—1207)An east wind brings up blossoms of fireworks above thousands of treetops.And carries down showers of sparks that resemble raindrops.Scented ornate carriages proceed fragrantly all the way before their stops.Flute mu...

Shennong, which means “God farmer” or “God peasant”, is a deity in Chinese religion. He is a mythical sage healer and ruler of prehistoric China. Shennong is also known as Wugushen “five grains,” or Wuguxiandi “first deity of the five grains.” He is thought to have taught the Chinese how to...

Huainanzi(Masters in the Kingdom of Huainan) says that it was because of the characters Cangjie made that the Heaven rained grains and the ghosts cried at night.Xunzi(Hsun Tzu) andShijing(The Book of Odes) and other ancient books also record he legend of Cangjie creating Chinese characters. By the Q...

For a Painting of Ume BlossomsAuthor: Li Fangyin (1695-1755)The last brush stroke is just done and the watercolor still wet.These few ume blossoms outshine the rest of the picture.May the wind carry their beauty to faraway places!Then every household will become spring despite the laws of nature.Li...

Dayu's surname Si, called Wenming, is a great hero who controlled the flood in ancient Chinese legends, so people call him Dayu.It is said that in ancient China, when the leader Yao was in his old age, a terrible flood occurred and the land was covered with ocean. Yao saw the people being swallo...

Wintry NightAuthor: Du LeiTea replaces wine for a visitor on a wintry night;Water boils on top of the bamboo stove with a newly started red flame.The same moon shines through the window as usual,But looks different with ume blossoms as its frame.Du was a Song Dynasty writer who worked for a local go...