MyPlain

Category: Chinese Culture

Exploring Chinese culture — from language and philosophy to food, festivals, and everyday life. Personal reflections and cultural notes.

  • The Chinese Characters Next to the Zodiac Animals

    Last week, I came across a foreign girl in a Chinese tea ware shop. She knew some Chinese but not much, so I helped her communicate with the shop owner, an elderly gentleman.

    She knew her zodiac sign but was confused by the Chinese characters next to the zodiac animals on the little cups.

    Well, that’s a bit complicated because it involves the system of 天干地支 (tiān gān dì zhī) — Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. It was used in ancient Chinese astronomy and calendars to mark years, months, days, and hours. It was also widely used in divination, counting, and naming.

    Now, back to the Chinese zodiac: the twelve zodiac animals repeat every twelve years. So, if two different years are 12 years apart (e.g., 2014 and 2026), are they exactly the same?

    The answer is no.

    The reason lies in the combination of the ten Heavenly Stems and the twelve Earthly Branches. When you combine them sequentially—matching the first stem with the first branch, the second with the second, and so on—it takes sixty years for the same combination to reappear. This is known as the sexagenary cycle, or a full “甲子 (jiǎ zǐ)” cycle.

    I know the math might be a little confusing. Why is it 60 years instead of 120?

    Well, there’s a traditional rule: Yin pairs with Yin, and Yang pairs with Yang. In mathematical terms, it simply means odd numbers pair with odd numbers, and even numbers pair with even numbers.

    Take a look at the ten Heavenly Stems (甲 jiǎ, 乙 yǐ, 丙 bǐng, 丁 dīng, 戊 wù, 己 jǐ, 庚 gēng, 辛 xīn, 壬 rén, 癸 guǐ) and the twelve Earthly Branches (子 zǐ, 丑 chǒu, 寅 yín, 卯 mǎo, 辰 chén, 巳 sì, 午 wǔ, 未 wèi, 申 shēn, 酉 yǒu, 戌 xū, 亥 hài). According to this rule, we have years like Jiǎ Zǐ and Yǐ Chǒu, but we never have Jiǎ Chǒu or Yǐ Zǐ. Does that make sense?

    So, here’s a quick test for you: if this year is the year of the Bǐng Wǔ Horse, do you know what next year will be?

  • Drinking Tea

    I really like drinking tea, especially when it is brewed in the traditional way. A light flavor and an authentic aroma are what I look for.

    At home, particularly on weekends like today, I like to take out my favorite tea set. With water boiling and tea brewing, a slow, leisurely time unfolds for me.

    When I travel, especially in the Yangtze River Delta, South China, and Southwest China, which are home to many famous teas, I always bring a simple tea set. Local tea paired with local water creates a special experience that is hard to find in Shanghai.

    When wandering through small towns or villages, I usually keep a small teacup and some favorite tea leaves in my bag. Whenever a friendly host offers tea, I take out my own cup to enjoy local tea. If they want to know about tea from other places, I will take out my own tea and share it with them.

    You see, tea is a great companion for quiet thinking. It is also a great way to make new friends.

  • Some Chinese Vocabulary

    It’s a little late, but I’m here to drop some Chinese vocabulary that I taught my friend last Sunday, in case you want to learn Chinese too.

    1. I introduced the concept of “seasonal ingredients” (shí lìng cài 时令菜) — foods that taste best in a particular season, like water spinach (kōng xīn cài 空心菜) in summer.
    2. 靠近 (kàojìn) – means “to be close to” or “to approach.” Example: 别靠太近 (Bié kào tài jìn — Don’t get too close).
      远离 (yuǎnlí) – means “to stay away from” or “to keep distance.” Example: 远离危险 (Yuǎnlí wēixiǎn — Stay away from danger).
    3. 错过 (cuòguò) – means “to miss out on something.” Example: 别错过《奥德赛》这部电影 (Bié cuòguò “Àodésài” zhè bù diànyǐng — Don’t miss the movie The Odyssey).
    4. 薯条 (shǔtiáo) – French fries; the word literally means “potato strips.”
    5. The four seasons: 春夏秋冬 (chūn, xià, qiū, dōng) – all have first-tone pronunciation except xià (summer), which is fourth tone. A mnemonic: it’s so hot in summer that you need to bring the temperature down — so, a falling tone!
    6. 菜 (cài) – refers not only to vegetables but also to meat dishes (荤菜 hūn cài).
      卤菜 (lǔcài) – braised dishes. Though cooked in water, the long cooking time and various spices make them flavorful. Many ingredients can be braised, including beef, pork, chicken, duck, goose, seaweed, tofu, and some vegetables.

  • The Willow Pattern Mystery | Yu Garden | Ep.3

    I’ve been digging into Yu Garden lately.

    And today, I stumbled across something fascinating — the tea house here was once called ‘The Willow Pattern Tea House’ by foreigners.

    Why? Because it looks just like a beloved English ceramic pattern.

    So, I dove deeper.

    First, the inspiration.

    In the 17th and 18th centuries, fine blue-and-white porcelain from Jingdezhen was highly prized in Europe.

    But it was expensive and hard to get — so it stayed a luxury for the elite.

    Then came the British “copy.”

    Around 1780, British potters adapted and combined Chinese motifs — willows, pavilions, and birds.

    With new transfer-printing technology, they mass-produced affordable ‘Chinoiserie’ ceramics.

    And the iconic Willow Pattern was born.

    But wait, there’s a catch.

    In the 1840s, to boost sales, the British came up with a tragic love story — star-crossed lovers fleeing across a zigzag bridge, only to be turned into swallows.

    By the way, Pure marketing. Not a real Chinese legend.

    Then came the déjà vu.

    When British merchants arrived in Shanghai and saw the Huxinting Tea House — and the Nine-zigzag Bridge right beside it — they were stunned.

    The landscape looked exactly like the scene on their plates and teacups.

    So, they called it ‘The Willow Pattern Tea House.’

    In my eyes, the Willow Pattern isn’t only a fascinating historical artifact, but also a cultural loop.

    It’s like a cross-cultural puzzle that took centuries to complete.

    Pretty cool, right?

    (This is the transcript from this video: https://youtube.com/shorts/FKW98xocZ18. I’d appreciate any feedback or pronunciation corrections. )

  • Wild & Safe: Essential Tips for China’s Backcountry Travel

    A few days ago, I saw a video of a traveler complaining that the loudspeaker announcements at China’s scenic spots kill the natural vibe. But honestly, expecting zero safety reminders in a managed park is like going to a steakhouse and complaining about the meat—it misses the whole point.

    If you’re an experienced adventurer seeking untouched nature with zero management footprint, China has that too. Just know that once you step outside managed and maintained areas, the safety net is gone.

    Here’s how local hiking clubs approach the backcountry:

    1. No-signal zones.
      Unlike the well-covered scenic spots, remote mountains often have zero cell service. Locals usually download offline maps beforehand, and many carry satellite communicators on longer treks.
    2. The no-solo rule.
      Weather changes fast, and terrain gets rough. Local clubs insist on hiking in groups, staying within sight or earshot, and making sure no one is left behind.
    3. Beware of social-media “wild spots.”
      Some hidden waterfalls or off-grid campsites look amazing online, but they often lack basic infrastructure and emergency support. Always check the weather forecast (especially during flood season) and respect local closure signs.

    Real adventure in China isn’t about ignoring safety; it’s about respecting nature and preparing for it. Whether you stick to the well-maintained trails or head into the backcountry, let safety be your compass. That way, the only thing you’ll lose is the crowds.