Blog on Chinese Culture and Language Learning

Ancient Chinese invented solar terms by meticulously observing the natural world in relation to solar movements. Even today, farmers in different parts of China rely on them to guide their agricultural practices throughout the year. While this story is fictional, it incorporates some elements that deviate from traditional Chinese customs. The story series is for the season of spring, which has now fully blossomed. It consists of six parts, each named after one of the spring solar terms, namely Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, Spring Equinox, Pure and Bright, and Grain Rain. I hope you enjoy it. — Nan Qu

“Watching them choke up on the podium made me emotional. It was a great time to be an Asian storyteller, thanks to all the heroes and heroines who did not settle for less and kept on building the platform. Out of the many parallel universes, they stuck with the one that held little promise but true to their heart. It paid out. For them and for us.”