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ANCIENT HISTORY
Why Netizens Can’t Stop Arguing About Qing Court Gossip
Forget about Princess Di—the Qing court was rife with rumors that rival any modern royal scandal, from identity-swapped emperors and contested successions to imperial assassinations, some even verified
A Short History of Pirates in Ancient China
Ancient seafarers who roamed China’s waters left behind countless legends: as leaders of popular uprisings, developers of maritime trade, and heroes against foreign invasion. Here are some notable Chinese “pirates” who deserve your attention.
Children Untaught: “Father-Destroying” Stories in Ancient China
Through greed, betrayal, or simple mischance, these ancient sons and daughters brought ruin upon their own fathers, officials, princes, and emperors alike
Peculiar Devices: A History of Robotic Fantasies in Ancient China
From pedestrian wheelbarrows imbued with mystical powers to mechanical beings that poured wine for Tang dynasty courtiers, ancient China birthed mechanical wonders that blurred the line between craft and myth
Rebellion, Corruption, and the Lychee: The History of Chinese Couriers
Long before express delivery became an everyday essential, ancient China had built an intricate courier system, though its bureaucracy also bred corruption and chaos
Greeting the New Year: The (Un)changing Customs of Chinese New Year Wishes
From carving on wood to “flying cards” in red envelopes, how people expressed their New Year’s greeting, or “bainian” in ancient China
Justice for Snakes: The Real Story of the Most Misunderstood Zodiac Animal
How the snake evolved from a revered symbol of worship to a figure of fear and evil in ancient Chinese culture
Written in the Stars: Astrological Signs in Ancient China
China’s adherence to the 12-year zodiac cycle is known around the world. What might be more surprising is that the West’s astrological signs have also existed in the country, possibly from the very beginning.
Mockery, Sarcasm, and Roasting in Ancient China
Ancient scholars and ministers used all forms of scathing rhetoric to refute, persuade, and influence—sometimes to disastrous ends
Elixirs of Power: Chinese Emperors’ Quest for Immortality
How the pursuit of eternal life shaped politics, culture, and fate in ancient China
