The Ancient Art of Chinese Calligraphy: Four Treasured Tidbits
Chinese calligraphy has long been viewed as the supreme visual art form. But how did it originate and what makes it so special?
Out of the Blue: Five Fun Facts About Classic Blue and White
Blue is already one of our favorite colors (after red of course). The only thing that makes it better is putting it on white. Here are five fun facts about this classic color combo that will never go out of style.
Six Serene Things You Might Not Know About the Goddess of Mercy
The Goddess of Mercy, also known as Guan Yin, is a peaceful figure that you’ll see in parks, temples, and homes around the world. But what does she represent exactly?
The King of Flowers: Six Things You Might Not Know About the Precious Peony
Spring is finally in the air, which means flowering seasons have begun! Here are six blossoming bits about the pulchritudinous peony.
Benevolent Creatures of the Sea: 6 Things You Didn’t Know About Dragons in Chinese Culture
The Blue Dragon or Longtaitou Festival is almost here, which has gotten us thinking about dragons. While in Western culture, they're usually depicted as ferocious fire-breathers, in Chinese culture they're quite different. Here are six things you might not know about these important, mythical beings.
The Laughing ‘Buddha’: 6 Playful Pieces of Trivia About Budai
You might know this jolly, corpulent fellow as the “fat” or “laughing Buddha,” but did you know he's not a Buddha at all? Learn more about this delightful deity.
Lunar New Year Activities: 8 Festive DIY Ways to Ring in the Year of the Rat
Sure, lion dancing, firecracker displays, and other Lunar New Year festivities are lots of fun, but what do you do on the days there are none? You make your own of course!
Your Guide to Daruma Dolls: Helping You Set Your Goals Since the 19th Century
We could all use some encouragement as we strive to achieve our goals and resolutions in the New Year. A cute Japanese daruma doll might help!
Artist-in-Residence Jerry Ma: A Comic Book Odyssey
In our newest exhibition, A CHINATOWN ODYSSEY, Jerry Ma modernizes the classic Chinese tale of the Monkey King. We had the chance to speak to the graphic novel artist about his exhibition, experiences with Comic Con, and love for a Chinatown gone by.
The Year of the Rat: Everything You Need to Know
While last year was positively piggy, this year starting Jan. 25, we’re raving about the rat. Here’s everything you need to know about this resourceful rodent.
From Abundance to Victory: Five Ways Fish Swim in Significance in Asian Culture
If you’ve ever perused our aisles or website, you might have noticed that fish are a big theme in everything from ceramics to parasols to lanterns. That’s because the aquatic creature plays an important role in various Asian cultures. Here are five ways our finned friends swim in significance.
More Than a Dress: A Brief History of the Cheongsam
The cheongsam — also known as the qipao — might be considered the epitome of Chinese fashion. But how did this iconic item come about?