ANCIENT HISTORY

How Did Ancient Chinese Wash Their Clothes?

With no washing machines or chemical detergents available, ancient Chinese had to get innovative to keep their clothes clean

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CHINESE CHARACTERS

On the Character: 数

Learn about this character for numbers, counting, and much more

EDUCATION

The Biggest Teacher’s Pets in Chinese History

Four stories of ancient Chinese pupils who went to great lengths to honor their teachers

ANCIENT HISTORY

Best Beard Fashions in Ancient Times

From marking good looks to advancing political careers: See how the rules and styles of facial hair changed in ancient Chinese history

ANCIENT HISTORY

How Did Ancient Chinese Mourn the Deceased?

On Qingming Festival, here’s a look at some ancient Chinese mourning rituals, from costume and diet, to mourning periods and wedding bans

ANCIENT HISTORY

Nailed It: Why Long Fingernails Were All the Rage in Ancient China

The symbolism of long nails and nail guards, from Confucius to Empress Cixi

HISTORICAL FIGURES

Celebrating Confucius’s 2,725th Birthday

A ceremony at Beijing’s 14th century Confucius temple celebrates a sage's birth based on 2,000-year-old traditions

HISTORICAL FIGURES

Things Confucius Never Said

Mistaken and misrepresented quotes from China’s most famous philosopher

IDIOMS

Choice Chengyu: Teaching Idioms

Chengyu used to honor teachers during the Teachers’ Day.

HISTORY

Hidden History

From the dark side of sage kings to the real age of paper, these archeological troves offered a different perspective on ancient China