This character refers to the sea. It is often used with characters such as ren (people), shu (book) or yun (cloud) to mean a vast expanse or quant…[详细]

Yue fen pai, a type of calendar poster prevalent in old Shanghai. Photo: NIPIC The 1842 Treaty of Nanjing contributed to jump-starting the tran…[详细]

This character refers to a Chinese end-blown bamboo flute noted for its mellow and melancholy tone. In terms of its calligraphy, the two graphical…[详细]

Waterfront houses in Wu Zhen, Zhejiang Province Photo: 699PIC Swords and xiao flutes are two important elements in the poems of Gong Zizhen …[详细]

This character refers to autumn, which is regarded as the season of the primary harvest, with a mood of gladness and gratitude. It is also associa…[详细]

“Appreciating the Moon” (1738) by the Qing artist Chen Mei Photo: FILE Rooted in Chinese tradition, the Mid-Autumn Festival, also k…[详细]

This character often refers to a river or a canal. Since mountains and rivers are quite common in a country, the word shan he or jiang shan (mount…[详细]

Gong Chen Bridge, built in 1631 in the Ming Dynasty, crosses the Grand Canal at its starting point in Hangzhou. Photo: 699PIC There is a legend…[详细]

This character means the general concep of gods, deity or divinity. It is also used to describe something marvelous or magical. 鬼斧神工 guǐ…[详细]