Chinese History & Mythology

111.How Do Chinese People Use Food to Stay Healthy?

A name called “Becoming Chinese” started trending on TikTok, and along with it, a wellness drink became very popular.Apples are usually eaten fresh, so why would anyone boil them into a tea? And why did so many people suddenly start making boiled apple tea? What is so special about it that even foreign friends who are used to drinking ice water have started trying it?

110.The Monster Universe of the Classic of Mountains and Seas

Before dragons became famous worldwide, ancient China had its own monster universe. Creatures with nine heads, human faces, giant wings—and gods that controlled the sun itself. And they were all written down thousands of years ago in one of China’s strangest books: The Classic of Mountains and Seas.

109.The Hidden Legends：Shiji & Classic of Mountains and Seas

It has been a while since we last sat down and talked about mythological stories together. In the past few episodes, we have mainly focused on stories about historical development. The reason we have not talked much about myths is that, in the period of history we have been covering, there really were not many highly representative mythological stories. It is also because these dynasties existed for a relatively short time in Chinese history, so they left behind very little literary material. So does that mean no mythological stories were passed down during this period?

108. 15 Chinese Cultural Taboos

Why do Chinese people avoid the number 4, green hats, mirrors facing the bed, or saying the word “death” too directly? In this episode, we explore 15 everyday Chinese cultural taboos and the history, beliefs, and social values behind them. From weddings and funerals to bedroom layout, speech habits, feng shui, and nighttime rules, these customs reveal how Chinese culture understands luck, respect, harmony, and the rhythm of life.

107.What Really Happened to Western Chu?

The social turmoil at the end of the Qin dynasty began with uprisings from the common people. Chen Sheng and Wu Guang raised the banner of rebellion in Dazexiang. Although their rebel army was ultimately defeated, they lit the flames of resistance across the land. In this process, the noble descendants of the old six states responded one after another, hoping to restore their former glory. It was in this background that Xiang Yu stepped onto the front stage of history. He was the grandson of Xiang Yan, a famous general of Chu, and he came from a traditional military aristocratic family.