Category Archives: Chinese fantasy

The New Year Dawns

Leave a reply

008The year 2016 has entered into time. The Chinese proclaim it the Year of the Monkey.

Beloved Monkey!

Spirited and clever, the animated creature bounds into minds and hearts with fiery energy. Revered since the Ming Dynasty, Monkey claims a prominent place in Chinese culture. One of Monkey’s most vivid stories is the Journey to the West, one of the four great classics of Chinese literature.

In this much-loved story, Monkey is born from a stone richly nurtured by the truth and beauty of Heaven and Earth. Bathed by the light of the Sun and the grandeur of the Moon, he springs to life and claims his place as the Handsome Monkey King. He spends his days building stone pagodas and chasing dragonflies in the shelter of the pines. He and his curious followers track alpine streams to a cascading waterfall. Ever the leader, Monkey plunges through the falls to the Water Curtain Cave. Beyond these waters he discovers a place of splendor, home to bamboos, plum blossoms, and the sacred pines—the three ancient Chinese symbols of loyalty, resilience and perseverance.

For a time Monkey reigns content, far from the tyranny of human kings and other creatures of power. But Monkey, looking inside and finding only formless emptiness, sets off on a great journey. Seeking enlightenment, Monkey abandons the safety of his beautiful cavern, searching the Great Way for Sages and Immortals who know the secrets of eternity.

His pride and reckless temper land him in the disfavor of the heavenly courts. Monkey is trapped under the mountains for a full five hundred years, despite his powers of amazing strength and wit. When finally free, he joins a holy monk on a fantastic journey to India to reclaim sacred scriptures.

These are the Days of the Monkey—vibrant and real, and always extraordinary.

–Kate Calina

The Terra Cotta Warriors

2 Replies

The Terra Cotta Warriors

Over two thousand years ago, the First Emperor of China ascended the throne. His visions for the newly united empire appear almost limitless. Ongoing assaults from the northern tribes prompted Qin Shi Huang to unite fragmented walls into a single fortification for his border lands. The world would ultimately know this construction as the Great Wall of China. Qin Shi Huang launched many other significant works, including improving the canal system so vital to his empire.

Colorful legends surround the august ruler. If these tales hold truth, the First Emperor was preoccupied with attaining immortality. Word reached him that islands of immortality existed in the East China Sea. If fortune was with him, young men and women might be able to procure an elixir of eternal life. Thousands were sent on this critical mission. They never returned.

Knowing that the possibility of death remained very real, Qin Shi Huang set about constructing an elaborate tomb. According to the history records of Sima Qian, the Emperor constructed a vast underground realm, including flowing rivers of quicksilver and hundreds of palaces. The tomb has never been opened to the public eye. Of note, the mercury levels in the burial mound, as measured through bore holes, have been confirmed at very high levels.

The Emperor took great pains to defend his tomb. In 1974, Chinese farmers started digging a well in Shaanxi province. What they unearthed is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made. In time, over eight thousand terra cotta warriors were found, marching in columns in multiple pits. Thousands of artifacts have been located, including bronze chariots and horses, and numerous weapons, such as crossbows, spears and battle axes. Statues of musicians and acrobats claim a place in the tomb, along with bronze birds and other favored animals.

These amazing discoveries claim a rich place in history, sparking ongoing debates about the purpose of the great terra cotta army. My upcoming fantasy novel, Arid Rider, explores this remarkable world. Enjoy!

–Kate Calina