The many proverbs and idioms in the Chinese language give it much of its colour and richness. Drawn from a wealth of sources, from historical anecdotes and legends to moral stories, these ancient sayings offer a fascinating insight into the Chinese culture. Popular Chinese Proverbs collects several old favourites and some of the most widely used expressions. Using vibrant illustrations and clear explanations of the metaphors and history behind them, their origins and meanings are presented in an easy-to-understand format. It is an entertaining read for anyone interested in the delightful idiosyncrasies of the Chinese language and an indispensable aid for students wishing to enrich their vocabulary. The core Chinese values and lessons they teach have passed the test of time, and remain as relevant to our daily life and social interactions today as in the past.

One of the earliest literary works of mankind is in the form of fables. Bedside stories told to children by mothers or grannies contained a great deal of fables. Fables are made up of amusing anecdotes which are interesting, educational, thought-provoking, delightful and enjoyable to people of all ages. Ancient these fables may seem, but when they are summarised into their pithy titles, they become idioms of common usage among the people even to these modern days. This book contains more than 70 Chinese fables that have been handed down from ancient times, told with lively comic illustrations by Chinese cartoonist Tian Hengyu who is renowned for his expressive illustrations with crisp and clear-cut lines. You are sure to be amused as you go through all these ancient stories and you will also be amazed by the subtlety and succinctness of meaning conveyed by them.

Chinese opera is one of the world's oldest dramatic forms and a well-loved treasure of Chinese culture. It is a wonderful combination of dance, music, literature, poetry, singing and dialogue, acrobatics and martial arts to create a unique form of acting that includes "singing, speaking, acting and acrobatic fighting". Find out more fascinating details about Chinese opera: * Why is the clown mask so colourful? * Who is the "big painted face"? * What does it signify when an opera performer stands on the table? Origins of Chinese Opera is definitely an eye-catching book complete with pictures and comics vividly portraying various opera genres popular in China. You will be fascinated by how the art form is able to transform and adapt itself to appeal to the sophisticated audience of our digital era.

Origins of Chinese Culture guides you through the perplexing maze of all things Chinese. Pick up interesting facts about the "Four Treasures of the Study"--the brush, ink, paper and inkstone--which form the cornerstone of Chinese culture. Be enthralled by the charming stories of Chinese icons: * Cao Cao, who hinted that he wanted a door widened just by writing a character on the door. * Shi Kuang, whose music was said to resurrect the dead. * Wu Daozi, who never completed his paintings for fear that they would come alive. You will be amazed by the wisdom and exquisite allure of Chinese culture, and be treated to insights into Chinese music, weiqi, xiangqi, calligraphy and painting!

Why do the Chinese consider the number "eight" to be a lucky number? For the answer to this question, look no further than the Eight Immortals who are one of the most popular subjects of art and craft in China. The term "Eight Immortals" is used figuratively for happiness. The Chinese regard happiness as one of the most important qualities in life. The stories in this book show how eight ordinary people in ancient China attained immortality and lasting felicity through selfless actions and good deeds. The Eight Immortals also play a significant role in relation to the Bagua, or Eight Trigrams, of the I Ching, the most popular classic of traditional China. Each of them is associated with a certain direction of the Eight Trigrams which is applied in the Bazhen Tu, the Battle Chart of the Eight Trigrams, used by folk Taoists to counter the work of practitioners of black magic. The presentation is made more interesting by the comic illustrations provided by Chan Kok Sing. You will be enthralled by the vivid description of the great battle that shook heaven and earth at the palace of the Dragon King.

In Chinese culture, the underworld is seen as a horrendous place where the evil are severely punished for their misdeeds. For example, you get your tongue ripped out for spreading nasty rumours or your eyes gouged out for peeping. The concept of the underworld is so popular that it is portrayed in Chinese theme parks around the world, including Haw Par Villa, a mythological theme park in Singapore and the City of Ghosts in Fengdu, China. This graphical presentation, with the bizarre and gory depiction of the ten Courts of Hell, will be one hell of a ride for you!

Did you know that if your surname is Ji and Jiang, it would mean that you are actually a descendant of the legendary emperors? And interestingly, the predecessors who fled from the despotic King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty named themselves after the things that saved them: Li, which stood for the wild fruit muzi, and Lin, the forest which was a hide-out from the king! Find out more fascinating details about 100 Chinese family names: * Difference between surnames and clan names. * Stories related to the most common surnames: Li, Wang, Zhang, Liu, Chen, Yang, Huang, and more. * Naming traditions; names and fortune; manner of addressing. As the book covers the entire span of recorded Chinese history from the past to the present, you will find it an eye-opener as a reference manual and a delightful source of little-known facts.

This book unravels the mystery behind Chinese martial arts, or wushu, an exotic branch of traditional Chinese culture. It traces how the rough and ready brawls of Chinese cavemen matured into the polished gongfu of Shaolin and Wudang warriors. But the art of gongfu is more than just martial abilities -- it is also about a philosophy and chivalry code. This volume sheds light on the legend of Bruce Lee, the Yue Maiden Sword and tells you more: * Do the Acupoint Tapping, Light Skills (qinggong), and "straying down demonic paths" that we see in period drama really exist? * What are the various boxing and weapon arts, and the various schools and styles? * Are E'mei Sect, Huashan Sect, Kunlun Sect, Kongtong Sect and Natural Sect documented in Chinese history? This is an easy and entertaining read, and a must-buy for budding martial-art fans. Be dazzled by the power and grace of Chinese martial arts, which stands tall in a class of its own!

Tea and wine have a long history in China. In fact, both have become firmly entrenched in the culture and customs of the Chinese people, featuring prominently in the traditional rites of ancestral worship and in social situations. Discover the origins and varieties of tea and wine, and learn about: * Famous Chinese teas and wines * The etiquette and methods for preparing and serving tea and wine * The health-giving properties of tea and wine * Unique customs practised among the minority peoples in China * Interesting facts and ancient stories relating to tea and wine Not only will this book entertain and inspire, it will enrich your understanding of the Chinese culture!

The word 'harem' often conjures up images of beautiful, half-dressed oriental women lounging in some stately pleasure dome, waiting for the opportunity to satisfy their masters. And in some ways this was not far from the truth. Tang Dynasty Emperor Xuanzong had 40,000 women in his harem, while the Qing emperors would fill their harem with the most eligible girls in the country for both pleasure and procreation. Some emperors were blessed with empresses who led their dynasties to prosperity and stability. Many emperors, however, found out that they had taken on more than they expected with the arrival of talented, ruthless and ambitious beauties. Wu Zetian was one such woman. Arriving in the harem of Tang Emperor Taizong as a sweet-faced 14-year-old, she went on, through treachery and murder, to become empress. This book tells the stories of the outstanding, the outrageous, the glorious as well as the tragic empresses and concubines of the Chinese palace.