A Thousand Whys
Episodes
China’s evolving serpent legacy: Ferocious treasures, from rituals to households
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why has the snake, often feared, been revered in Chinese culture and become one of the 12 zodiac animals? How is it portrayed in artifacts, and what d...
A ceramic vessel of culture, wine, and poetic spirit
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Like the finest wines, the best inspiration for poetry is brewed and vivified, if served in the right vessel. In this episode, we present a phoenix-he...
Greenware stationary: Creating the right ink for calligraphy and painting
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How did the water dropper help artists enter the right creative mindset for traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting using the color of black only...
Cong: The jade vessel which assisted governance in ancient China
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What role did jade play in ancient Chinese rituals? In this episode, we delve into an artifact that embodied authority and order in the Yangtze River ...
China’s goddess of war and her bronze owls
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What did owls symbolize 3,000 years ago in China? How were they linked to an ancient woman known as the goddess of war and a female politician of visi...
Tomb paintings decode ancient feasts
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why did the upper-classes of the Hexi Corridor about 1800 years ago enjoy an affluent lifestyle while the rest of China suffered from political upheav...
King of bridal sedan chair: Thirty years of craftsmanship
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why did a team of master artisans take a decade to make a bridal sedan chair? In this episode, we'll delve into the story of the Wan Gong Sedan Chair ...
9,000 year old music: The Jiahu bone flute
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What did the earliest Chinese instruments look and sound like? In this episode, we travel back nearly 9,000 years to discover the Jiahu crane bone flu...
Welcome to "Ancient Relics and Their Stories"!
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artifacts are bridges to the past, revealing how we ever lived, loved, and dreamed. Over the coming weeks, join us for "Ancient Relics and Their Stori...
Why is the chrysanthemum special in Chinese culture?
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The chrysanthemum flower is one of China's top ten most popular flowers, boasting a cultivation history of over 3,000 years. These flowers not only ad...
Why are Chinese people so fond of the osmanthus flower?
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, many places in China will be delighted with the enchanting scent of golden osmanthus. In this episode of "A Tho...
Why has weightlifting maintained its popularity from ancient times up to the present day?
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A bull, a bronze tripod, a city gate latch—nothing was too heavy to lift! The awe for extraordinary strength dates back centuries. Curious about how...
Why is wrestling much more than a sport in China?
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever thought about learning some wrestling movements and postures? Follow Pierre de Coubertin to travel back in time to an ancient Chinese wr...
Ancient swings to modern pools: The enduring spirit of diving
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine a diving competition where athletes leap not from a springboard on the ground, but from a swing that's suspended on a boat! In this episode, f...
Why did ancient Chinese shoot arrows with music playing?
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ta-da! Get ready for a wild ride with our new mini-series Sports Fantasia! We're time-traveling back to ancient China with none other than Pierre...
Welcome to Sports Fantasia!
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready for an exciting adventure with "Sports Fantasia"! Join us as we travel back to ancient China to experience traditional Chinese sports. With ...
Why is the lotus flower a symbol of noble character in Chinese culture?
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The lotus flower, known as "荷花" in Chinese, is one of the top ten most popular flowers in China. In this episode, we'll discover why the lotus pla...
Why is the jasmine flower a symbol of timeless elegance in Chinese culture?
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to Chinese folk songs, "茉莉花" (jasmine flower) is often the first that comes to mind. But did you know that its name is also meant ...
Why do Chinese people hang Chinese mugwort during the Duanwu Festival?
07 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Duanwu Festival, or the Dragon Boat Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the traditional Chinese calendar, which falls on Ju...
Why are pomegranate flowers special in Chinese culture?
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As temperature rises, there's nothing like chilling with a glass of refreshing pomegranate juice. Beyond its antioxidant-rich goodness, have you ever ...
Why do Chinese people adore the winter jasmine?
21 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
迎春花, or winter jasmine, is a native plant of China with a recorded history spanning over 1,000 years. In this episode, we'll continue our floral...
Why are peach blossoms associated with love?
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the arrival of spring, colorful flowers are once again ready to take central stage. "A Thousand Whys" also offers a new series, exploring stories...
How do Chinese people extend Spring Festival greetings?
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"拜年" is a cherished tradition observed during the Chinese New Year. It includes not just saying "Happy Chinese New Year" but also visiting friends...
What does loong, or the Chinese dragon, mean to the Chinese people?
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
2024 marks the Year of the Loong, or the Chinese dragon. In today's episode, we cover the powerful symbolism of loong in Chinese culture.
24 Solar Terms: How did ancient Chinese merchants honor the god of earth?
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dahan (大寒 dà hán), or Major Cold, falls on January 20th this year. In this episode, we show you how ancient Chinese merchants conduct a grand ce...
24 Solar Terms: How did ancient Chinese people prepare for the New Year?
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
24 Solar Terms: Why Chinese people "count in nines" in winter?
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
24 Solar Terms: Did ancient Chinese build snowmen?
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ep...
24 Solar Terms: How did ancient Chinese enjoy vegetables in winter?
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
24 Solar Terms: How do Chinese people celebrate the Start of Winter?
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
24 Solar Terms: Why do Chinese people love to savor persimmons on Frost's Descent?
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 au...
24 Solar Terms: Why do Chinese people enjoy viewing chrysanthemums during the Cold Dew?
07 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 episo...
24 Solar Terms: Why is Autumn Equinox an important solar term in China?
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 autum...
24 Solar Terms: Why Chinese people love to drink White Dew tea during the White Dew?
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 episod...
24 Solar Terms: Why do people float river lanterns during the End of Heat?
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 custo...
24 Solar Terms: How Chinese people welcome the Beginning of Autumn?
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
24 Solar Terms: Why Chinese people drink herbal tea during Major Heat?
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 sugg...
24 Solar Terms: How did ancient Chinese people beat the heat during Minor Heat?
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 Mi...
Why do Chinese people give fans as gifts during the Duanwu Festival?
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 22n...
24 Solar Terms: Why do Chinese people enjoy noodles on the Summer Solstice?
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
24 Solar Terms: Why is the ox held in reverence during ‘Grain in Ear’?
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 pr...
24 Solar Terms: Why do Chinese people worship 'Silkworm Goddess' on the 'Grain Buds'?
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
24 Solar Terms: Why do Chinese children wear egg pouches on the Start of Summer?
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
24 Solar Terms: Why is the peony also called the “Flower of Grain Rain” in China?
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 sola...
24 Solar Terms: Why do Chinese eat Qingtuan during the Qingming Festival?
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ancestors Told Us: What makes a Chinese gentleman?
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 dee...
24 Solar Terms: Let’s celebrate the time of rebirth
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
What did ancient Chinese "female officials" do?
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In ancient China, where a patriarchal society was the norm, did women have the opportunity to pursue career or political aspirations? What kind of rol...
24 Solar Terms: What do insects have to do with villains?
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
24 Solar Terms: Why Chinese believe “Spring rain is as precious as oil”?
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 importa...
Ancestors Told Us: Is human nature good or evil?
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether humans are born with an innately good or evil nature is still an ongoing debate after thousands of years of discussions. Today, we’ll travel...
Ancestors Told Us: What can China’s flood myth teach us about water management?
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In almost every culture, there exist myths regarding floods. In China, the story of Yu the Great has been told for centuries and has inspired generati...
Ancestors Told Us: What can we learn from water?
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As one of the most common elements of daily life, water is one of the root metaphors in Chinese culture and wisdom. What is the Chinese “way of wate...
24 Solar Terms: How the Chinese mark the “Beginning of Spring”?
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
February 4th sees the arrival of the first of this year’s traditional Chinese solar terms, named Lichun, usually translated into English as the “B...
Who is the God of Wealth in Chinese folk customs?
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
During the Chinese New Year, known as Spring Festival in the country, one of the most popular greetings is 恭喜发财，which translates as ‘Wishi...
Hop over to the Year of the Rabbit!
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With New Year celebrations worldwide done and dusted, attention is now turning to the Chinese New Year, saying goodbye to the year of the roaring tige...
How did people bathe in ancient China?
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ancient Chinese bathing culture dates back to 3,000 years ago. For ancient Chinese, taking a bath was not just a personal hygiene issue, it was al...
Why is the Qipao the Quintessence of Chinese Elegance?
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Qipao, or the Cheongsam, is widely regarded as the dress that best brings out the charm of Chinese women. This type of traditional tight-fitting garme...
How the holiday system works in ancient China?
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How come holidays originated from bathing in ancient China? How did the ancient Chinese distinguish between workdays and non-work days? Which dynasty ...
24 Solar Terms: Why did the ancient Chinese mark Winter Solstice as New Year?
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You probably know that the Spring Festival is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, when families get together to welcome another new...
How did ancient China protect the environment?
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How did the love of a princess’s dress almost bring about an environmental disaster in Chinese history? Then how did ancient Chinese people protect ...
Was Cuju the earliest football game?
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you heard of a game called Cuju? This "kick-ball" game was played in China as early as over 2,000 years ago. Well, as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 20...
Daffodils and beauties
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Winter is coming! In this episode, we tell stories about beauties and daffodils and explore why Chinese people love to describe beauties as ice and sn...
Previous Episode: Let's have a cup of tea!
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
China's traditional tea-making has been added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. As THE most popular drink of the Chinese people, tea bo...
How did a canal destroy an emperor’s reputation？
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Besides keeping us hydrated and clean, one of the most important practical uses of water is transportation. The longest canal in the world is in China...
Why do Chinese people boil their water?
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever visited China, you are probably surprised by people drinking boiled water. Some might tell you boiling water removes harmful bacteria...
Why is strategy game Go so charming?
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The board game Go is perhaps the most challenging one of all, for human intelligence and for artificial intelligence. In this episode, let's examine t...
Why does the lion dance matter to us?
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever seen the dazzling lion dance and wondered what it is about?
Flower festival - an ancient celebration remembered
09 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you love flowers, here's a chance to indulge yourself in a sea of blossoms in this early spring. A Thousand Whys invites you to a flower-themed gat...
Why do we say goodbye with willow branches?
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the theme “A Willow Twig” was presented both as a symbol of bidding farewell to ...
Why "jade and silk" is peaceful allusion?
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jade and silk are two things that are dear to the hearts of Chinese people. It is therefore no surprise that they are part of the Beijing 2022 Winter ...
An age-old winter tale in China’s Altay
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For skiers and snowboarders in China, the Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is a dreamland. With a vast area of natural powder snow...
How does a time-honored railway connect with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?
06 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is the first self-constructed railway line in China? How does it relate to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics?
Chinese Lunar New Year 2022: Why tiger?
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chinese people are looking forward to the Lunar New Year! And according to the Chinese zodiac, 2022 is the "Year of the Tiger." The big cat is know...
Wanna try ice games from ancient China?
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine playing football on ice, doing archery while skating, or being in a big air game on ice? This is not a joke. These are real ice games that wer...
Why do we love Tanghulu?
12 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
By stringing sugar-coated fruit on a skewer, the unique Chinese snack Tanghulu has attracted many to DIY it at home for the sweet crunchy bite. But...
Why are some lakes in Beijing called “sea”?
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Beihai Park, or the Northern Sea Park, is a great place to enjoy the water view and a boat ride in Beijing. But for anyone who visits the park for...
Tickling your funny bone with cross talk
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A Thousand Whys introduces you to a popular stage performing art that may help improve your sense of Chinese humor: cross talk. This traditional pe...
Is there still an “old Beijing”?
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is there still “old Beijing” in the new Beijing? In this episode, we will share with you the traits of Beijing that have survived throughout th...
Bird walking in Beijing!
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Taking a walk with a pet bird has been a popular hobby of some Chinese people for centuries. In this episode, we are going to introduce to you why we ...
What is it like to live in a Beijing quadrangle?
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With expanding urbanization all around the globe, historical residences that still exist today are especially precious as witnesses of history and tra...
What's so special about doornails in China?
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"Golden doornails on a red gate" has been a symbol of the imperial power of the Qing dynasty. Apart from this, did you know that doornails have long b...
Why we celebrate seniors' birthdays with… peaches?
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What do you think is the meaning of a birthday celebration? Sending and receiving best wishes, perhaps? This episode of A Thousand Whys shares with yo...
What did you pick on your first birthday?
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The first birthday of a baby is the most precious – it’s a landmark for any child as well as an exciting time for parents. In China, it’s believ...
Who do we see in our dreams?
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If someone tells you that he/she saw Mr. Zhougong last night, you might wonder, who is Mr. Zhougong? Anyone to be worried about?
Fun facts about Shanghai you might not know
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You might know Shanghai as an international cultural metropolis, yet you probably don’t know that Shanghai is also an international hub of shipping ...
Why is Peking Opera considered the Quintessence of Chinese culture?
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Peking Opera has been one of China's most popular traditional performing arts for 200 years. Want to know what's so special about it and why we love i...
Fantastic mushrooms and where to find them
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fungi are perhaps one of the most fantastic creatures in our planet. There's a place in China that drives mushroom lovers crazy. Let's dive in!
Why do Chinese people love mountains and waters?
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The list of the first batch of national parks in China has just been announced. These parks are for the protection of rare plants, birds and animals, ...
Why do we divide a year differently?
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the temperature continues to drop, the traditional Chinese calendar has ushered in another solar term today: the Cold Dew. In case you are curious ...
Was The Analects really written by Confucius?
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There is a saying that one must learn about Confucius and his legacy to truly understand China. The Analects of Confucius is the absolute classic on C...
Is autumn always SAD?
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Though many of us tend to consider autumn as a time of nostalgia and sadness - some may even experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD - a Tang D...
Curious Foodie: Why debating over a moon cake?
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Eating moon cakes is an essential part of celebrating the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in China. But did you know that these small pastries can som...
A Happy Hour invite from 9,000 years ago
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A new study has found evidence of beer drinking dating back to about 9,000 years ago in southern China. Let's dive into the world of ancient drinkers ...
Curious Foodie: Wanna try one of the most lavish Chinese feasts?
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A total of 108 dishes in one single banquet… The Manchu-Han imperial feast is more than a symbol of luxury in ancient Chinese royal cuisine, but als...
Curious Foodie: Since when we started to have three meals a day?
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Breakfast, lunch, dinner… many of us have been brought up with the habit of eating three meals a day. However, it might shock you that it wasn’t a...
Space Talk: Behind the ventures
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
To build up motivation for space explorers to venture into the unknown world, it definitely takes a lot of courage, ambition and perhaps more importan...
Space Talk: What are some fun things to do without gravity?
08 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been almost two months since the three Chinese taikonauts entered China’s space station and started their three-month stay. What do they do o...
Space Talk: How was the lunar eclipse comprehended in ancient China?
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Without scientific explanation, the darkening of the Moon may be a startling event. That is probably why lunar eclipses were once a source of mytholog...
Space Talk: What life is REALLY like in the “Heavenly Palace” space station?
25 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is it like to live in a space station 24/7 for three months? Is it better or worse than living on earth? Here are the answers to satisfy your cur...