A Thousand Whys

Xiaohan (小寒 xiǎo hán), or Minor Cold, falls on January 6th this year. In this episode, we show you what ancient Chinese people used to buy when preparing for the New Year.

Dongzhi (冬至 dōng zhì), or Winter Solstice, falls on December 22nd this year. It is the 22nd of the 24 solar terms and the fourth one in winter. In this episode, we show you why Chinese people "count in nines" in winter.

Daxue (大雪 dà xuě), or Major Snow, begins on December 7th this year. It is the 21st of the 24 solar terms and the third one in winter. In this episode, we show you whether ancient Chinese build snowmen in winter.

Xiaoxue (小雪 xiǎo xuě), or Minor Snow, begins on November 22nd this year. It is the 20th of the 24 solar terms and the second one in winter. In this episode, we show you how Chinese people enjoy vegetables in winter.

Lidong (立冬 lì dōng), or Start of Winter, begins on November 8th this year. It is the 19th of the 24 solar terms and the first one in winter. In this episode, we show you how Chinese people celebrate this solar term.

Shuangjiang (霜降 shuāng jiàng), or Frost's Descent, begins on October 24th this year. It is the 18th of the 24 solar terms and the last one in autumn. In this episode, we show you why Chinese people love to savor persimmons during this solar term.

Hanlu (寒露 hán lù), or Cold Dew, begins on October 8th this year. It is the 17th of the 24 solar terms and the fifth one in autumn. In this episode, we show you why Chinese people love to appreciate chrysanthemums during this solar term.

Qiufen (秋分 qiū fēn), or Autumn Equinox, begins on September 23rd this year. It is the 16th of the 24 solar terms and the fourth one of the autumn season. In this episode, we show you why this solar term is an important one in China.

Bailu (白露 bái lù), or White Dew, begins on September 8th this year. It is the 15th of the 24 solar terms and the third in autumn. In this episode, we show you a special way Chinese people welcome this solar term in style.

As summer fades, we embrace the "End of Heat", the 14th among the 24 solar terms, also known as Chushu (处暑 chǔ shǔ) in Chinese. One of the customs during Chushu is the floating of river lanterns. In Chinese mythology, this practice has something to do with two immortal figures: Zhurong and Gonggong.

Liqiu (立秋 lì qiū), or Beginning of Autumn, begins on August 8th this year. It is the 13th of the 24 solar terms and the first one of the autumn season. In this episode, we show you different ways of Chinese people welcoming this solar term.

The 12th solar term on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, Dashu (大暑 dà shǔ), or Major Heat, begins on July 23rd this year. As the name suggests, Major Heat marks the peak of the summer season. In this episode, we show you an ancient Chinese people's brilliant solution to find relief in this "steaming and boiling" time of the year.

The 11th solar term on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, Xiaoshu (小暑 xiǎo shǔ), or the Minor Heat, begins on July 7th this year. During Minor Heat, the temperature continues to rise, heralding the arrival of the hottest days of the year. In this episode, we show you ancient Chinese people's great ideas to stay cool in the hot summertime.

Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on June 22nd this year. In this episode, we show you why Chinese people offer fans as gifts to others during the festival.

The tenth solar term on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, Xiazhi (夏至 xià zhì), or the Summer Solstice, begins on June 21st this year. In this episode, we show you why noodles have become a representative food item of this solar term.

The ninth solar term in China, Mangzhong (芒种 máng zhòng), or Grain in Ear, is a time of bustling activity in agriculture. The name itself has profound meanings. In this episode, we show you why ox is related to this solar term.

The eighth solar term on the traditional Chinese calendar, Xiaoman (小满 xiǎo mǎn), or the Grain Buds, is the second solar term in summer. In this episode, we take you to the folklore of Lei Zu, who was revered as the "Silkworm Goddess". Legend said she discovered the art of raising silkworms and imparted the knowledge of creating exquisite silk garments to others.

The seventh solar term in China, Lixia (立夏 lì xià), or the Start of Summer, marks the beginning of the summer season. In this episode, we take you to the fascinating story of Nu Wa, a Chinese goddess, using her wisdom to protect children. We'll also show you why Chinese children wear egg pouches and like to play the egg game on this day!

Get ready to immerse yourself in this tale of love, loss, and the power of myth. In this episode, we dive into the enchanting legend of the sixth solar term in China, Grain Rain(谷雨 gǔ yǔ), and the tragic love story of a young man and a peony fairy. Why is the peony also known as the "Flower of Guyu" and what’s its cultural significance in Chinese tradition?

Come listen to what ChatGPT has to say about China's popular snack during the Qingming Festival! Today's episode is generated and narrated by AI tools, and it introduces you to Qingtuan, a unique type of food that has been served during the Qingming Festival since ancient times. What are the cultural meanings of this green rice ball, and why is it such an important part of China's Qingming Festiva...

What exactly is a Chinese gentleman, and what are the essential traits that define the spirit of the "君子 Junzi"? In this episode, we will dive deep into the world of the "君子" and explore the key virtues and characteristics that have shaped Chinese culture for centuries.

According to the Five Elements of Chinese philosophy, spring is associated with the color green, the wood element, and the climate of wind. So we eat green vegetables, plant seeds, and fly kites. After a season of darkness and quietness, the spring equinox marks the beginning of spring. Let’s celebrate the time of rebirth.

In ancient China, where a patriarchal society was the norm, did women have the opportunity to pursue career or political aspirations? What kind of roles did "female officials" play in the ancient Chinese dynasties?

As March arrives, nature welcomes the third solar term "Jingzhe", or "the Awakening of Insects". What is it that awakens the insects in spring? What are the exciting folk customs in China during this time of year?

There is an ancient Chinese saying, “春雨贵如油，the spring rain is as precious as oil,” but why and how is the rain in spring is so important? What interesting customs take place during the solar term “Rain Water”?