Category: Folk custom stories
“Poor Eighth Generation” ‘s Accidental Wealth
Once upon a time, there was a man whose family had been poor for eight generations. So, everyone called him “Poor Eighth Generation.” “Poor Eighth Generation” decided to find a fortune teller to explain why his family had been so poor for generations. Searching for a Fortune Teller He had heard that an old man…
Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) Refuses to Go
In the Purple Bamboo Grove of Putuo Mountain, there is a temple dedicated to a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, named “Bukenqu Guanyin Temple.” There’s a story behind this. A Japanese Monk Transports the Guanyin Statue In the Zhoushan Archipelago, there’s a renowned island: Putuo Mountain, known as the “Buddhist Kingdom of Sea and Sky,” one…
Hens lay eggs to repay debts
Legend has it that a hen, in order to repay a debt from a previous life, transformed into a hen and laid eggs for its owner. This story takes place in China. Poor brother & Rich Sister Long ago, in a small mountain village in northeastern China, there lived two families: a younger brother’s family…
The History of Zisha Teapots
Teaware is a common tool in Chinese daily life. The custom of drinking tea has a long history in China. The great Song Dynasty poet Wang Anshi once said, “People cannot live a day without tea.” This demonstrates the importance of tea drinking in ancient people’s lives. The History of Zisha Teapots Zisha teapots originated…
The Legend of Longjing Tea
The exceptional quality of Longjing tea has long been praised by tea connoisseurs. But there’s a legendary story behind it. Expert Comments on Longjing Tea Gao Lian of the Ming Dynasty said, “西湖之泉以虎跑为最，两山之最，两山之茶，以龙井为佳。” Means “Of all the springs in West Lake, Hupao is the finest.Of the two mountains, Longjing is the finest tea.” Longjing tea…
Qilin Arrives Here
When Chinese people get married, they always put up a post with the Chinese characters “麒麟到此” (Qilin Arrives Here)on their doors. Why? Here’s a story: The Tang Dynasty was a period of great heroes, including renowned generals like Luo Cheng and Cheng Yaojin. Love at First Sight Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty,…
The deified buffalo
The villagers of Nanlong, Didu, Jieyang (a county in Teochew), have a custom of worshipping the Bull-Lion God. The fifth day of the first lunar month is said to be the Bull’s birthday. On this day, villagers always parade the Bull-Lion God around the village. On the day before Mid-Autumn Festival, shadow puppet shows are…
The patron saint of woodworking-Axe Master
In the old days, many people in Shangdongpu Village, Chaoyang (a county in Teochew), worked as carpenters and frequently worshipped the “Three She Ye” (Sanshe God). There’s a legendary story behind this. Cai Dongxing’s Dream During the Ming Dynasty, Cai Dongxing took refuge in the territory of Shangdongpu Village. One day, he went to a…
‘Not Much’ Skill old man
In Chifeng, Chao’an(a place in Teochew), every charcoal burner must offer three kinds of animals (pork, chicken, and fish, three meat offerings used in sacrificial ceremonies) to their kiln. There’s a story behind this. The Ragged Old Man Once upon a time, there was a charcoal-making family in Chifeng. Whenever they needed to load the…
The Story Behind the Forehead Scar
In the old days, Teochew women liked to wear a “head scarf.” It was both aesthetically pleasing and provided shade, and was called a “forehead scarf.” The origin of the “forehead scarf” worn by Teochew women has a story tied to a woman’s forehead scar. 60-year old palace graduate During the Ming Dynasty, a man…
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