Lantern Viewing Evenings
-
Culture Spotlight: The Three Friends of Winter (歲寒三友)
Here is a new year personality pop quiz for you— Between the pine, bamboo, and plum, which one do you think represents you the best? Let me explain: In Chinese culture, these three plants each hold special meaning: The Pine: Evergreen, strong, and wise—like a venerable scholar. The pine symbolizes wisdom, strength, and longevity. The…
-
Culture Spotlight: Peony, the Only Flower Dare to Say No to the Empress Wu
I hope your April has been filled with poetry. Earlier this week, I noticed our tree peonies starting to bloom. It reminded me of a tale involving poetry, peonies, and Empress Wu (武則天). “Who is Empress Wu?” you might ask. “Oh, just the one and only woman ruler in 3,500 years of written Chinese history,”…