MyPlain

Category: Chinese Culture

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

  • 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.

  • Why Do Chinese People Really Care about Sun Protection?

    Recently, I watched videos of an American couple traveling in China to practice listening to English. Their language and perspectives are always very interesting. However, in one of their latest videos, they claimed that we wear sun-protection masks because we want fair skin to look like superior white-collar workers. I have to say, this stereotype is too shallow and misses the real cultural and scientific reasons.

    First, Chinese people have unique sun-protection methods, such as umbrellas, face masks, and arm sleeves. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), strong sunlight is considered a “heat toxin.” TCM teaches us to balance our body’s energy. We need some sun to stay healthy, but we must avoid the scorching heat to protect our skin and maintain our body’s balance.

    Second, it’s about science, not social class. Many parts of China experience extremely strong sunlight. For example, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, where the couple was traveling, has a very high UV index. Also, our skin is prone to developing dark spots. Wearing hats and UV masks is simply a smart, practical way to protect our skin from long-term damage.

    Third, let’s talk about culture. The vloggers misunderstood Chinese history. In traditional Chinese opera, white faces actually represent cunning and treacherous villains – not superior people. The ancient Chinese did appreciate smooth, fair skin, but that was more a sign of a healthy, indoor lifestyle than a means of showing off social class.

    In short, Chinese sun protection is about TCM, health, environmental conditions, and traditional wisdom – not about trying to look superior. This video reminded me that we should never judge other cultures based on old stereotypes or one-sided statements.

    PS:
    I drank too much coffee today and couldn’t fall asleep, so I came here to write something. And I even captured a video of my betta fish, Little Orange, in case old friends miss it. The video has not yet been fully uploaded. I’ll show you guys tomorrow.

  • Another Reason Why Chinese People Visit Temples

    A few days ago, I told a friend from New Jersey about an experience I had at the Jade Buddha Temple. He thought I was a Buddhist.

    I explained that I went there just for the vibes and the lotus flowers. He didn’t question further, but I could see the confusion on his face.

    Well, for many Chinese people, visiting a temple is just like an architecture student visiting St. Peter’s Basilica.

    Buddhism and Taoism, blended with Confucianism, are deeply woven into our language and history, so we’ve been learning about and influenced by them since we were kids.

    That’s why many people go to temples for cultural reasons, not religious reasons.

  • A Brief Guide to the Chinese “Bèi” (被) Construction

    (Yesterday, I explained this construction to a friend who is learning Chinese, but I think I didn’t make it clear enough, so I wrote this entry this early morning.)

    The “bèi” construction is one of the most recognizable grammar patterns in modern Chinese, often compared to the English passive voice. However, it has its own unique rules, historical baggage, and modern evolution.

    Here is a systematic breakdown to help you understand it better.

    1. The Core Structure

    At its most basic, the “bèi” sentence shifts the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver.
    Basic Formula: [Receiver] + 被 + [Doer (optional)] + [Verb] + [Other Elements]
    Example: 我的手机被（小偷）偷了。
    Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī bèi (xiǎotōu) tōu le.
    Meaning: My phone was stolen (by a thief).

    Notice that the doer (小偷/thief) can be completely omitted if it’s unknown or unimportant. The sentence remains grammatically perfect: 我的手机被偷了 (My phone was stolen).

    1. The Golden Rule: It Cannot Stand Alone

    This is the most critical rule. In modern Mandarin, a bare verb usually cannot follow “bèi”. The verb must be “handled” in some way. You cannot say 我被打 (Wǒ bèi dǎ).
    The verb must be accompanied by one of the following:
    Aspect Particle: 了 (le), 过 (guo) → 我被打了 (I was hit).
    Resultative Complement: 坏 (huài), 伤 (shāng) → 玩具被弄坏了 (The toy was broken).
    Directional Complement: 走 (zǒu), 出去 (chūqù) → 钱被拿走了 (The money was taken away).
    Verbal Measure Words: 打 → 他被老师打了一顿 (He got a beating from the teacher).

    1. Modern Alternatives: “Ràng” (让) and “Gěi” (给)

    In spoken, informal Chinese, native speakers often replace “bèi” with 让 (ràng) or 给 (gěi) to sound less formal or dramatic.
    Formal/Written: 蛋糕被我弟弟吃了 (The cake was eaten by my brother).
    Informal: 蛋糕让我弟弟吃了 / 蛋糕给我弟弟吃了.
    Note: When using “ràng” or “gěi”, the doer is usually mandatory. You can’t just say 蛋糕让吃了.

    1. The “Bèi” Prefix Trend (Internet Slang)

    In recent years, “bèi” has evolved into a productive prefix to express forced, fake, or involuntary states, often with a sarcastic tone. This is a fascinating modern development:
    被自愿 (bèi zìyuàn): “Forced to be voluntary” (doing something supposedly willingly but actually under pressure).
    被代表 (bèi dàibiǎo): “Represented without consent” (when someone claims to speak for you, but you disagree).

    Summary
    To explain it in one sentence: The ‘bèi’ construction is a passive marker that highlights the receiver of an action, and it strictly requires the verb to have a complement or particle—it can never be just a bare verb.