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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
How Women in Ancient China Endured and Resisted Domestic Violence
Unequal or nonexistent laws left women in ancient China who faced abuse with very few options
Paths to Power: A Guide to China’s Civil Servant Selection Systems
Facing an increasingly competitive job market, the battle to enter China’s civil service seems more ruthless than ever—though it’s really the continuation of a millennia-old struggle
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