Weekend Stories
I enjoy going exploring on weekends (mostly). Here is a collection of stories and photos I gather along the way. All posts are CC BY-NC-SA licensed unless otherwise stated. Feel free to share, remix, and adapt the content as long as you give appropriate credit and distribute your contributions under the same license.
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Origins of the Chinese language and writing system
The Chinese language and its writing system represent one of the most enduring and unique linguistic traditions in human history. Rooted in the Sino-Tibetan language family, Chinese evolved in a completely different cultural and historical context compared to the Indo-European languages, such as Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. In this post, we briefly explore its origins and development, its linguistic characteristics and significance in world history.
Pali: Language of Buddha’s teachings
Pāli holds a distinguished position as the language of the Theravāda Buddhist canon, known as the Tipiṭaka or Pāli Canon. It serves not only as a vital linguistic link to early Buddhist teachings but also reflects the cultural and religious exchanges of ancient South Asia. Although Pāli is often referred to as a ‘dead’ language, it continues to be studied, recited, and revered in Buddhist communities worldwide. In this article, we briefly explore the origins, development, and cultural significance of Pāli and its role in expressing and preserving Buddhist teachings.
Sanskrit: Sacred language of ancient India
Sanskrit, one of the oldest attested languages of the Indo-European family, occupies a unique position in the linguistic, cultural, and religious history of humanity. Renowned for its systematic grammar and immense literary corpus, Sanskrit offers invaluable insights into the evolution of languages, the spread of Indo-European peoples, and the intellectual traditions of South Asia. In this post, we briefly explore the origins, evolution, and significance of Sanskrit as a sacred language and as a vehicle for profound philosophical and literary expression.
The Indo-European language family: Linguistic roots of European and South Asian civilizations
The Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language, the reconstructed ancestor of the Indo-European language family, is one of the most significant discoveries in historical linguistics. Spoken thousands of years ago, PIE gave rise to languages such as English, Hindi, Greek, and Russian, which are integral to many of today’s cultures and societies. Studying PIE and its descendants offers insights into patterns of human migration, cultural exchange, and the evolution of language itself.
A brief history of writing
I believe, that writing is one of the most significant inventions in human history, playing a crucial role in the development and success of civilizations. From ancient pictographs to modern alphabets, writing has enabled the recording and dissemination of knowledge, fostering communication, culture, and governance. In this article, we therefore briefly explore the history of writing, tracing its origins in various ancient civilizations and highlighting its profound impact on human progress.
Book printing before Gutenberg: The Asian roots of printing technology
The history of book printing is a fascinating journey that spans across continents and centuries. Long before Johannes Gutenberg’s famous introduction of the printing press in Europe, significant advancements in printing technology had already taken place in Asia. The Chinese and Koreans were pioneers in developing various printing methods, including woodblock printing and movable type, long before Gutenberg’s later innovations. And although Gutenberg is considered revolutionary in the European context, I believe he can be seen more accurately as an improver and developer of existing technologies. I had the opportunity to visit the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, which inspired this brief outline of the history of letterpress printing.
The Dali Kingdom Scroll
I recently came across the Kingdom of Dali Buddhist Volume of Paintings, a monumental Buddhist handscroll created by Zhang Shengwen around 1180. This 16-meter-long artwork captures the religious and political life of the Dali Kingdom, a flourishing state in present-day Yunnan, China. What fascinates me most is how the scroll not only illustrates Buddhist figures and royal processions but also serves as a visual record of the kingdom’s cultural identity and its deep connection between religion and politics. Now preserved at the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan, this intricate masterpiece offers a glimpse into a unique chapter of East Asian history. In this post, we briefly explore the historical context of the Dali Kingdom and take a close look at the artistic structure and themes of this remarkable scroll.
Archaeology of the recent past: Reflections on concentration camp remains
The study of archaeology is traditionally associated with uncovering ancient civilizations and piecing together histories from long-forgotten fragments. However, the discipline is increasingly turning its attention to the recent past, exploring material remains that connect us to more contemporary, and often harrowing, events. Concentration camps from the Holocaust, with their preserved artifacts and remains, have become a poignant focus within this emerging field. I recently visited an exhibition in Frankfurt that showcased the archaeology of concentration camp remains, shedding light on the everyday lives of those who endured unimaginable suffering. In this post, I’d like to briefly reflect on the significance of this archaeological work and its implications for memory, history, and human understanding.
The mythological roles of ‘angels’ in East and West
Angels, as intermediaries between the divine and the mortal, have captured the human imagination across cultures and religions. In the Abrahamic traditions, angels are messengers, guardians, and executors of divine will, often depicted as ethereal beings imbued with spiritual power. Their origin, however, is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern and Hellenistic traditions, which influenced the conceptualization of angels in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Simultaneously, analogous figures in Buddhism and Asian traditions, influenced in part by Hellenistic cultural exchanges after Alexander the Great, reveal the interconnectedness of cultural and religious ideas in the ancient world.
St. George the dragon-slayer: A comparative perspective on dragons in the East and West
The figure of St. George, often depicted as a dragon-slaying saint, occupies a central place in Christian hagiography and European folklore. Revered as a martyr, warrior, and protector, St. George symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and has been embraced as a patron saint by numerous cultures and nations. His legend, especially the iconic tale of slaying a dragon, resonates deeply within Western traditions. However, the symbolism of dragons in the East, particularly in Asia, provides a striking contrast, offering a lens through which to explore cultural divergences in the interpretation of mythical creatures.