Chinese top past beauty, ep 4: diāo chán(The earliest female secret agent in China)

Diāo chán was born in the Three Kingdoms era（AD220-265). She was the first Nakita (female secret agent) in China. During the transition period between the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era, Dǒng zhuó, a rebellious minister was trying to take over the country. Diao Chan pray to the moon for the protection of the country. However, the moon felt ashamed and hide behind the cloud. 

Dian Chan was an adopted daughter of a Han minister Wáng yǔn. In order to repay Wang, Dian Chan took up a secret agent role and executed a "Serial honey trap" to sow discord among Dong and his chief warrior Lǚ bù. Her mission was success resulting Dong was killed by Lu, and Dian became Lu's concubine. At the end, Lu was killed by Cáo cāo, and Dian followed Lu's family and went.    

Chinese words of wisdom sharing

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Confucius

Chinese traditional craftsmanship - Paper cutting

Paper cutting, paper crafting, is one of the oldest craftsmanship in China, This technique's history can be dated back to BC 3, long before paper was invented. It is a hollow out craftsmanship performed on different base materials e.g. Paper, gold foil, leave, cloth, leather, etc. It was first appeared on ancestor worshipping ceremony. Until the Han dynasty, paper was invented, paper crafting was widely used on art decorations, home decorations. 

Chinese poem sharing

I climb the western tower in silence by Li Yu

I climb the western tower in silence, the moon like a sickle.

Clear autumn is locked in the deep courtyard, where a wutong tree stands lonely.

Sorrowful parting has cut, but not severed our ties; my mind is still wild.

Separation is just like a taste in head and heart.

Chinese traditional craftsmanship - Bifacial embroidery

Bifacial embroidery is a craftsmanship technique that embroidering double- sided same picture on one base material. So that a flipped picture can be seen on the other side. It is founded in Su Province, called Su style, one of the four major embroidery style in China. 

The earliest Bifacial embroidery was found in Song Dynasty ( AD 960-1279) mostly used on scarf and handkerchief. The subjects of the embroidery are mostly, floral, scenery, birds, and human portrait.

Chinese Words of Wisdom by Confucius

What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher (551 BC - 479 BC)   

Chinese top past Beauties ep 3 - Wang Zhao Jun

Wang Zhao Jun was born in the Han dynasty while the Han empire was in battle with the barbarians in the west. The battle had been on for many years until the leader of the biggest tribe of the barbarians Fu wanted to

become reconciled with the Han empire. The emperor of Han was delighted and decided to betroth a  chosen palace girl to barbarian leader Fu. 

Wang Zhao Jun was chosen and sent to barbarians' territory. On the way to the boarder, Wang was full of depression and played some sad music. The wild geese heard the sad music and pity Wang's situation. Then the wild geese forget to fly and felt down from the sky. Wang was called "fallen wild geese" because of this. 

Chinese traditional craftsmanship - Micro-Craft

Micro-craft has a very long history in China. Dating back to 3000 years ago, some tiny characters were found crafted on the oracle-bone inscription. These characters can only be view by 5 times magnifier. Micro-craft was not renounced unit Chang dynasty. There was one artist crafted four blessing words on a sesame and presented to the King Qian Long to celebrate his birthday. After that micro-craft got famous and was demanded by the upper class of the society.

Chinese traditional Craftsmanship - Inside-bottle painting

Inside-bottle painting, is a technique using a tiny paint brush drawing flipped image inside a tiny transparent bottle such as a snuff bottle. The subject are mostly people, animals, floral, and calligraphy. While drawing, the painter has to hold the breath and use precise movements of the wrist. 

Inside-bottle painting nowadays is treated as a diplomatic gift by our country. In the 11th Asian game, the IOC chairman Samaranch was given a special gift which is a bottle with his portrait painted inside. 

Chinese past top beauty ep2, Yang Yu Huan

Yáng yù huán (AD 719—756) was born in the Tang dynasty. She was famous of her beauty, and she was also good at playing music and dancing. She has a nick name called "Flowers Ashaming". As it was told that when she was walking near a pond and looking at the MuDan flowers. All the flowers felt ashamed and facing down as she was much beautiful than the flowers.  

 In year 734, Yang was 16 and was assigned to be the wife of Prince Li Mao. 3 years later, the emperor's most beloved queen dead. The emperor was in deep depression that his ministers were trying different ways to make him happy. Then minister Gao introduced Yang to the emperor. The emperor liked her so much that he took Yang as his queen and assigned another girl to be his son price Li Mao's wife. This became the biggest scandal in the Tang Dynasty. Yang was then called the Concubine Yang (Yang Gui Fei). 

Chinese poem sharing: Question and answer on the Mountain by Li Bai

Ask me what reason stay green mountain Smile but not answer heart self idle Peach blossom flow water far go Apart have heaven earth in human world

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain style iPhone Case

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain style Floral Hard Phone Case iPhone 4 4S.  Combining the Chinese traditional art with modern daily life. Giving daily life a cultural artistic touch.
                        
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141038107926?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

Blue and white porcelain

"Blue and white porcelain " (Chinese: 青花; pinyin: qīng-huā; literally "Blue flowers") designate white pottery and porcelain decorated under the glaze with a blue pigment, generally cobalt oxide. The decoration is commonly applied by hand, by stencilling or by transfer-printing, though other methods of application have also been used.

The first Chinese blue and white wares were as early as the ninth century in Henan province, ChinaThe blue-and-white technique was fully developed in China with porcelain technology in the 14th century.

Chinese Poem sharing, Thoughts on a quite night by Li Bai

Thoughts on a quite night - Li Bai

Bed before bright moon shine

Think be ground on frost

Raise head view bright moon

Lower head think home

A fusion of Chinese traditional craftsmanship and western fashion.

MuDan flower embroidery hoody sweater with beaded scale and embroidery neck decorations.

http://stores.ebay.com/Chinese-Casual-Clothing

 The flower of Prosperity - MuDan

Mudan (Paeonia suffruticosa) is one of the most favorite flower in the Chinese culture.

Chinese people are impressed by the incredible look when blooms.  That is why The Chinese believe that MuDan can bring good fortune and prosperity. These is saying " Flowers bloom, good fortune" .

MuDan is also  one of the popular theme in Chinese traditional painting.

And after all, MuDan is commonly used in the traditional Chinese costumes.

Chinese past top beauty ep 1, XiShi

XiShi was born in the "Spring-Autumn era"  around 494 B.C. While the Yue empire was defeated by the Wu empire, the emperor of Yue was treated as a war criminal for many years. He wanted to take revenge and planned to use a "Honey trap" on the emperor of Wu. The he found XiShi. At that time she was a firewood seller, but renounced of her gorgeous face.  She was called by a nick name "Fish Sinking" meaning all the fishes were amazed by her beauty when she walked by and forgot to swim. So they all sank into the bottom of he pond.
XiShi was sent to the Wu's emperor as a gift, and the emperor was tempted and started to live a ridiculous life.  While the Wu's emperor was enjoying himself, Yue's emperor was taking this chance to rebuild his army and getting stronger. At the end, Yue fought back and won. It was told that XiShi disappeared after the battle. XiShi temple was built to remember her contribution.
 

   Chinese traditional auspicious pattern "Long-Living surrounded by 5 bats" is Chinese old-time fashion.

In Chinese language, "bat" sounds "Fu" which is similar to the word "Good Fortune". So bat brings good luck. The pattern in the middle is converted from the word "Long-living".

This pattern appeared on the prestigious person's clothes such as the emperor's gown in the past time.

Chinese Poem sharing

Autumn air by Li Bai

Autumn wind clear Autumn moon bright Fall leaves gather and scatter Jackdaw perch again startle Each think each see know what day This hour this night hard be feeling

Quote of the day

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
                                                                   Confucius

When East meets West. A fusion of Chinese painting and western painting by Liu MaoShan

Chinese traditional costume

Chinese traditional costumes contains Chinese auspicious patterns, delicate embroidery, special  sewing techniques, plate buttons