A Thousand Whys China Plus

What exactly is a Chinese gentleman, and what are the essential traits that define the spirit of the "君子 Junzi"? In this episode, we will dive deep into the world of the "君子" and explore the key virtues and characteristics that have shaped Chinese culture for centuries.

According to the Five Elements of Chinese philosophy, spring is associated with the color green, the wood element, and the climate of wind. So we eat green vegetables, plant seeds, and fly kites. After a season of darkness and quietness, the spring equinox marks the beginning of spring. Let’s celebrate the time of rebirth.

In ancient China, where a patriarchal society was the norm, did women have the opportunity to pursue career or political aspirations? What kind of roles did "female officials" play in the ancient Chinese dynasties?

As March arrives, nature welcomes the third solar term "Jingzhe", or "the Awakening of Insects". What is it that awakens the insects in spring? What are the exciting folk customs in China during this time of year?

There is an ancient Chinese saying, “春雨贵如油，the spring rain is as precious as oil,” but why and how is the rain in spring is so important? What interesting customs take place during the solar term “Rain Water”?

Whether humans are born with an innately good or evil nature is still an ongoing debate after thousands of years of discussions. Today, we’ll travel back to ancient China, and find out how some of China’s most renowned philosophers answered this question!