A Thousand Whys
A Thousand Whys is tailor-made for curious minds about China and the Chinese culture. This podcast offers fascinating facts about what this ancient civilization has to offer, covering a wide range of topics including history, philosophy, literature and arts, lifestyle, science, and the natural world. Subscribe to learn "what are the Chinese ways and why", for free.
Episodes
January 23, 2025 • 16 mins
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 does it symbolize in China compared to other cultures? In this episode, we explore the serpent's evolving meanings in Chinese civilization.
Special Thanks: Liu Yanfeng
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January 20, 2025 • 13 mins
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-headed tricolor ceramic wine vessel from the Tang Dynasty, some 1200 years ago. In what ways did it influence the development of Chinese poetry at the height of its glory?
Special thanks:
The Gansu Provincial Museum
Liu Zhihua
Liu Yanfeng
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January 16, 2025 • 15 mins
How did the water dropper help artists enter the right creative mindset for traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting using the color of black only? In this episode, we present the "Yandi" from the Yuan Dynasty about 900 years ago. How did Chinese green ware gain world recognition between the mid-10th and 17th centuries?
Special thanks:
The Zhejiang Provincial Museum
Jiang Yu
Liu Yanfeng
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January 13, 2025 • 13 mins
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 Delta 5000 years ago and explore its connection to urban planning and state governance in early Chinese society.
Special Thanks:
Zhejiang Provincial Museum
Wu Sihe
Liu Yanfeng
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January 9, 2025 • 11 mins
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 vision at that time? In this episode, we uncover the story of Queen Fu Hao, from the Shang Dynasty, through the bronze owl vessels found in her tomb.
Special Thanks:
Henan Museum
Wang Zichen
Liu Yanfeng
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January 6, 2025 • 12 mins
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 upheaval? In this episode, we present tomb paintings from this era to get a glimpse of their delicacies and entertainment at lavish banquets, and the way food and drink were prepared and served.
Special thanks:
The Gansu Provincial Museum
Liu Zhihua
Liu Yanfeng
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January 2, 2025 • 12 mins
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 from the Qing Dynasty about 200 years ago, a dazzling moving palace like the one for Britain's Princess of Wales and a remarkable example of craftsmanship and cultural tradition.
Special thanks:
The Zhejiang Provincial Museum
Liu Yanfeng
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December 30, 2024 • 16 mins
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 flute, to explore its role in material and spiritual life in primitive tribes, and hear the echoes of early Chinese civilization.
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December 30, 2024 • 32 secs
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 Stories". Together, we’ll uncover the objects that defined our history, shaped our present, and continue to inspire our future.
Special Thanks: Liu Yanfeng
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October 10, 2024 • 7 mins
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 add vibrant colors to the autumn season but are also deeply tied to the Double Ninth Festival. In this episode, we'll explore the connection between chrysanthemum and this festival, as well as its special significance in Chinese culture.
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September 13, 2024 • 8 mins
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 Thousand Whys," we delve into the deep-rooted affection that Chinese people have for this flower and explore the rich symbolism it carries in Chinese culture.
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August 19, 2024 • 5 mins
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 ancient people in China practiced weightlifting? Tune in to find out!
(00:47) Travel back in time with Pierre de Coubertin to the scene of Unbeatable Strongman Challenge.
(03:30) Zhu Xianlin, a coach who has trained numerous national-level weightlifting athletes, explains the benefit...
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August 10, 2024 • 6 mins
Have you ever thought about learning some wrestling movements and postures? Follow Pierre de Coubertin to travel back in time to an ancient Chinese wrestling arena. Discover the rich cultural significance and unique techniques that set Chinese wrestling apart from other styles across the globe.
(00:21) Step back in time with Monsieur de Coubertin as he experiences the vibrant world of traditional Chinese wrestling.
(04:04) Gain i...
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August 9, 2024 • 7 mins
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, follow Pierre de Coubertin, father of the modern Olympics, on an exhilarating journey as he explores this unique ancient Chinese sport. Discover its fascinating techniques and see how its spirit resonates with sports in the modern era!
(00:52) A fun micro-radio drama of a special divi...
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August 2, 2024 • 8 mins
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 de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, to uncover some seriously cool sports secrets.
Who comes to mind when thinking of a great archer — Eagle Eye, Oliver Queen (Green Arrow), Robin Hood, or maybe Cupid? In ancient China, archers didn't just aim for the bullseye; they sho...
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August 2, 2024 • 1 min
Get ready for an exciting adventure with "Sports Fantasia"! Join us as we travel back to ancient China to experience traditional Chinese sports. With Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, we'll explore a fascinating mix of historical sports and shared cultural values. Coming soon!
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July 21, 2024 • 7 mins
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 plant holds such a special place in the hearts of Chinese people.
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July 5, 2024 • 8 mins
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 to encourage selflessness? In this episode of "A Thousand Whys," we explore why this gentle white flower holds such a special place in the hearts of Chinese people.
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June 6, 2024 • 5 mins
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 June 10 this year. As a traditional Chinese festival, it is celebrated in various ways, one of which is hanging Chinese mugwort. But do you know where this custom comes from? In this episode, we will show you the story behind this custom!
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May 14, 2024 • 6 mins
As temperature rises, there's nothing like chilling with a glass of refreshing pomegranate juice. Beyond its antioxidant-rich goodness, have you ever pondered why this fruit holds a special place in Chinese culture? Join us in this episode as we unravel the captivating tales behind the enchanting pomegranate flower!
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