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How Did Ancient Chinese Wash Their Clothes?
With no washing machines or chemical detergents available, ancient Chinese had to get innovative to keep their clothes clean
On the Character: 数
Learn about this character for numbers, counting, and much more
The Biggest Teacher’s Pets in Chinese History
Four stories of ancient Chinese pupils who went to great lengths to honor their teachers
Best Beard Fashions in Ancient Times
From marking good looks to advancing political careers: See how the rules and styles of facial hair changed in ancient Chinese history
How Did Ancient Chinese Mourn the Deceased?
On Qingming Festival, here’s a look at some ancient Chinese mourning rituals, from costume and diet, to mourning periods and wedding bans
Nailed It: Why Long Fingernails Were All the Rage in Ancient China
The symbolism of long nails and nail guards, from Confucius to Empress Cixi
Celebrating Confucius’s 2,725th Birthday
A ceremony at Beijing’s 14th century Confucius temple celebrates a sage's birth based on 2,000-year-old traditions
Things Confucius Never Said
Mistaken and misrepresented quotes from China’s most famous philosopher
Hidden History
From the dark side of sage kings to the real age of paper, these archeological troves offered a different perspective on ancient China