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Beautiful blue dragon decoration hanging from ceiling

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.

Posted on February 19, 2020

Tagged: asian culture

The Humble Cabbage: A Valuable Vegetable in Chinese Culture

Happy World Cabbage Day! Every Feb. 17 people everywhere celebrate this leafy vegetable, but in Chinese culture, it’s lauded regularly. Here are a few things you might not know about this crucifer.

Posted on February 13, 2020

Tagged: asian culture, food

Traditional Chinese bride and groom figurine

True Feeling Chocolate, Mass Weddings, Singles Days: Valentine’s Day Customs Throughout Asia

Candy. Flowers. Jewelry. While we’re sure you’re familiar with Valentine’s Day customs in the West, how about in Japan, South Korea, and China? Check out some love customs and traditions that are practiced in countries throughout Asia.

Posted on February 12, 2020

Tagged: asian culture

Gorgeous display of red lanterns during the Lantern Festival in Taiwan

The Lantern Festival: A Beautiful End to Lunar New Year

It’s been a fun and festive two weeks of Lunar New Year celebrations, but like all good things, they must come to an end. Luckily they end with the Lantern Festival.

Posted on February 03, 2020

Tagged: asian culture, holiday, lunar new year

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.

Posted on February 02, 2020

Tagged: asian culture

Little girl and her mother playing with a Chinese lion puppet

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!

Posted on January 13, 2020

Tagged: asian culture, lunar new year

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!

Posted on January 08, 2020

Tagged: asian culture

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.

Posted on January 06, 2020

Tagged: art, asian culture

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.

Posted on January 02, 2020

Tagged: asian culture, lunar new year

Three Japanese tea cups with red sea bream

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.

Posted on November 12, 2019

Tagged: asian culture

Japanese painting of a samurai warrior with the ghost of a woman

The 10 Most Terrifying Ghosts in Asian Cultures

Think hungry ghosts are the only specters in Chinese culture? Think again! Spooky spirits run amok not just in Chinese but many Asian cultures — and some of them scare the bejeezus out of us. Here are 10 of the most terrifying ghosts from Asian countries around the world.

Posted on October 31, 2019

Tagged: asian culture

Old ad with four Chinese ladies in flapper style qipaos

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?

Posted on October 25, 2019

Tagged: asian culture, decor & fashion

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