Popular Chinese Fables 2010 Edition Epub

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.

For 5,000 years, kings and emperors had ruled China with the palace as their power hub. Yet the common people knew little of the goings-on there, even though court affairs greatly affected their lives. In this book, we unveil the secrets of the Chinese palace. You will learn about the physical palaces of the various dynasties of China although most of them no longer exist. Meet the occupants of the palace: the emperors, empresses, imperial concubines and siblings, eunuchs and many others, and find out how the notable ones altered the course of history. You will be surprised to know that although authority was vested in the emperor, there were numerous occasions when others, such as the empress, concubines, eunuchs and even imperial siblings around him, supplanted his power. Renowned cartoonist Tian Hengyu now relives these stirring tales with the deft strokes of his pen to shed new insights into Chinese history.

In ancient China, an emperor is regarded as tianzi or "Heaven's son", one who is sent from Heaven to rule the nation and its people. Little wonder that he held sway over the masses and is deemed sacred and inviolate. Literally, a dynasty's rise and fall, and the people's weal and woe, are intimately linked to his calibre and character. Much has been written about the great emperors of China. But what about those rulers who, through their whims and fancies, had the commoners gnash their teeth in grief and hate? Here are 12 stories on China's most notorious emperors—a motley crew of squanderers, murderers, thugs, lechers and idiots swaggering under the holy cloak of a tianzi! Read on and see how they got their just deserts!

Throughout the history of China, many rulers had come and gone. Who are the ones still standing tall in the annals of history as a result of their outstanding contributions and awe-inspiring character? There were the Three Sage Kings and the Five Legendary Rulers who painstakingly laid the foundation for Chinese civilisation. They were followed by luminaries like Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty who first unified China, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty who brought unprecedented prosperity to the land, and Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty who contributed to the progress of the sciences. All these eminent emperors had one thing in common: their love for their people. Who are the other great sovereigns who took personal responsibility for the people's happiness? Read on and find out!

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.

Chinese cuisine is so well-known in the world that even people who know little else about the country and its culture have heard about or tasted Chinese food. Origins of Chinese Cuisine showcases some of the most famous and best-relished dishes. Here you will learn about: * Unique characteristics of each regional cuisine * Fascinating stories behind these selected dishes * Their development into their present-day form * Some of the lavish and singular banquet styles The dishes introduced here, including 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' and 'Peking Roast Duck', are some of the most popular among scores of delicious and extraordinary dishes, and this entertaining account will no doubt delight fans of Chinese cuisine.

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.

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.