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Totoya Hokkei was a Japanese printmaker and book illustrator. He initially studied painting with Kano Yosen (1735-1808), the head of the Kobikicho branch of the Kano School and <i>okaeshi</i> (official painter) to the Tokugawa shogunate.<br/><br/> Together with Teisai Hokuba (1771-1844), Hokkei was one of Katsushika Hokusai's best students.
The Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje is the 287th National Treasure of Korea and was designated as such on May 30, 1996. It is currently housed at the Buyeo National Museum. During an excavation of an ancient temple site in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo County in Chungcheongnam-do in 1993, the incense burner was the largest find among 450 artifacts excavated.<br/><br/> The incense burner measures 64 centimeters in height, the body is 19 centimeters in diameter, and it weighs 11.8 kilograms. It was probably made in the 6th century.
Yue Fei (March 24, 1103 – January 27, 1142), was a general during the Southern Song Dynasty. His ancestral home was in Xiaoti, Yonghe Village, Tangyin, Xiangzhou, Henan (in present-day Tangyin County, Anyang, Henan).<br/><br/> Yue Fei is best known for leading the defense of Southern Song against invaders from the Jurchen-ruled Jin Dynasty in northern China, before being put to death by the Southern Song government. He was granted the posthumous name of Wumu by Emperor Xiaozong in 1169, and later granted the posthumous title of King of È (鄂王) by Emperor Ningzong in 1211.<br/><br/> He is widely seen as a patriot and national hero in China, since after his death, Yue Fei has evolved into a standard epitome of loyalty in Chinese culture.<br/><br/> Hangzhou is one of China’s six ancient capitals. The city thrived during the Tang period (618–907), benefiting greatly from its position at the southern end of the Grand Canal.<br/><br/> At the beginning of the 12th century, Hangzhou was chosen as the new capital of the Southern Song Dynasty after the Chinese court was defeated in a battle against the Jin in 1123, and fled south.<br/><br/> The city flourished, with officials, writers and scholars moving there as the dynasty blossomed. During this period, Chinese culture reached a dramatic climax, and artworks from this era, particularly the richly detailed brush paintings, are considered to be among the finest works of art ever produced.
Yue Fei (March 24, 1103 – January 27, 1142), was a general during the Southern Song Dynasty. His ancestral home was in Xiaoti, Yonghe Village, Tangyin, Xiangzhou, Henan (in present-day Tangyin County, Anyang, Henan).<br/><br/> Yue Fei is best known for leading the defense of Southern Song against invaders from the Jurchen-ruled Jin Dynasty in northern China, before being put to death by the Southern Song government. He was granted the posthumous name of Wumu by Emperor Xiaozong in 1169, and later granted the posthumous title of King of È (鄂王) by Emperor Ningzong in 1211.<br/><br/> He is widely seen as a patriot and national hero in China, since after his death, Yue Fei has evolved into a standard epitome of loyalty in Chinese culture.<br/><br/> Hangzhou is one of China’s six ancient capitals. The city thrived during the Tang period (618–907), benefiting greatly from its position at the southern end of the Grand Canal.<br/><br/> At the beginning of the 12th century, Hangzhou was chosen as the new capital of the Southern Song Dynasty after the Chinese court was defeated in a battle against the Jin in 1123, and fled south.<br/><br/> The city flourished, with officials, writers and scholars moving there as the dynasty blossomed. During this period, Chinese culture reached a dramatic climax, and artworks from this era, particularly the richly detailed brush paintings, are considered to be among the finest works of art ever produced.
Chengxu Temple, a Taoist temple located in Zhouzhuang, was built during the Song Dynasty between 1086-1093 CE. The temple is also known as Sanctity Hall (Shengtang Hall).<br/><br/>Zhouzhuang is one of the most famous water townships in China and dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BCE - 476 BCE). Most of the ancient own seen today was in fact built during either during the Ming or Qing periods.
The Linggu Temple and Pagoda was first built in 515 CE, during the Liang Dynasty (502 - 557 CE). The Linggu Pagoda was built in 1929. The temple is Buddhist.<br/><br/> Nanjing dates back to the beginning of the Warring States Period (403–221 BCE). Between the 3rd and 6th centuries CE, Nanjing was the capital of the Southern dynasties at a time when non-Chinese were in command in northern China. After various natural disasters and a peasant rebellion, the new Sui dynasty moved the imperial capital to Xi’an (589 CE) and destroyed Nanjing, along with almost all of its cultural and historical relics.<br/><br/> Nanjing regained national importance at the beginning of the Ming dynasty, when its first emperor, Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang), set up the seat of government here in the Southern Capital until it was transferred to Beijing in 1421.
Liurong Si (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees), was founded over 1,400 years ago. The trees that inspired the 11th-century poet and calligrapher Su Dongpo to name the temple have since died. Overlooking it all is the Hua Ta (Flower Pagoda), a slender relic of the Song dynasty, built in 1097.
Liurong Si (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees), was founded over 1,400 years ago. The trees that inspired the 11th-century poet and calligrapher Su Dongpo to name the temple have since died. Overlooking it all is the Hua Ta (Flower Pagoda), a slender relic of the Song dynasty, built in 1097.
Liurong Si (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees), was founded over 1,400 years ago. The trees that inspired the 11th-century poet and calligrapher Su Dongpo to name the temple have since died. Overlooking it all is the Hua Ta (Flower Pagoda), a slender relic of the Song dynasty, built in 1097.
Liurong Si (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees), was founded over 1,400 years ago. The trees that inspired the 11th-century poet and calligrapher Su Dongpo to name the temple have since died. Overlooking it all is the Hua Ta (Flower Pagoda), a slender relic of the Song dynasty, built in 1097.
Liurong Si (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees), was founded over 1,400 years ago. The trees that inspired the 11th-century poet and calligrapher Su Dongpo to name the temple have since died. Overlooking it all is the Hua Ta (Flower Pagoda), a slender relic of the Song dynasty, built in 1097.
Beijing Dongyue Temple, literally Beijing Eastern Peak Temple, was built between 1314 and 1320, when it was one of the largest Taoist temples in Beijing. The complex has three courtyards. In the centre of the Hall of Taishan Mountain are statues of the God of Taishan Mountain and his high-ranking attendants. Corridors house 72 statues of deities, called 'chiefs of departments', some handing out harsh punishments to people who have done bad things.<br/><br/> Dongyue Temple was burned down during a battle in the Yuan dynasty (1271 - 1368) and was rebuilt during the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644). The current complex dates back to the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1912), but retains the style of the Yuan and Ming.
The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) was originally created during the Ming Dynasty, but was designed in its current form by Qing emperor Qianlong (r. 1736 - 1795). It is however Qianlong’s mother, the Qing Dowager Empress Cixi who is most irrevocably linked to the palace, since she had it restored twice during her reign, once in 1860 after it was plundered by British and French troops during the Second Opium War, and again in 1902 when foreign troops sought reprisals for the Boxer Rebellion, an anti-Christian movement.
The Buddhist Heavenly King (Chanfu) temple dates from the Ming Dynasty period (1368 - 1644) and was originally used as a place for translating and printing Buddhist scriptures.
The Puning Temple (Chinese: 普宁寺; pinyin: Pǔníng Sì; literally: 'Temple of Universal Peace' and commonly called the Big Buddha Temple) is a Qing dynasty era Buddhist temple complex built in 1755, during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1735-1796 CE) to show the Qing's respect for Tibetan Buddhism.<br/><br/> In 1703, Chengde was chosen by the Kangxi Emperor as the location for his summer residence. Constructed throughout the eighteenth century, the Mountain Resort was used by both the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors. The site is currently an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the seat of government followed the emperor, Chengde was a political center of the Chinese empire during these times.<br/><br/> Chengde, formerly known as Jehol, reached its height under the Qianlong Emperor 1735-1796 (died 1799). The great monastery temple of the Potala, loosely based on the famous Potala in Lhasa, was completed after just four years of work in 1771. It was heavily decorated with gold and the emperor worshipped in the Golden Pavilion. In the temple itself was a bronze-gilt statue of Tsongkhapa, the Reformer of the Gelugpa sect.
Dalongdong Baoan Temple (Chinese: 大龍峒保安宮; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tōa-lông-pōng pó-an kiong) also known as the Taipei Baoan Temple (Chinese: 臺北保安宮) is a Taiwanese folk religion temple built in the Datong district of Taipei, Taiwan.<br/><br/>The present temple was originally built by clan members in the Tong'an District (同安) who immigrated to Taipei in the early 19th century and gave the temple the name Bao'an (保安) in order to 'protect those of tong'an' (保佑同安).<br/><br/>The temple construction commenced in 1804 and replaced a previously existing wooden shrine from 1742 in Dalongdong.
Dalongdong Baoan Temple (Chinese: 大龍峒保安宮; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tōa-lông-pōng pó-an kiong) also known as the Taipei Baoan Temple (Chinese: 臺北保安宮) is a Taiwanese folk religion temple built in the Datong district of Taipei, Taiwan.<br/><br/>The present temple was originally built by clan members in the Tong'an District (同安) who immigrated to Taipei in the early 19th century and gave the temple the name Bao'an (保安) in order to 'protect those of tong'an' (保佑同安).<br/><br/>The temple construction commenced in 1804 and replaced a previously existing wooden shrine from 1742 in Dalongdong.
Dalongdong Baoan Temple (Chinese: 大龍峒保安宮; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tōa-lông-pōng pó-an kiong) also known as the Taipei Baoan Temple (Chinese: 臺北保安宮) is a Taiwanese folk religion temple built in the Datong district of Taipei, Taiwan.<br/><br/>The present temple was originally built by clan members in the Tong'an District (同安) who immigrated to Taipei in the early 19th century and gave the temple the name Bao'an (保安) in order to 'protect those of tong'an' (保佑同安).<br/><br/>The temple construction commenced in 1804 and replaced a previously existing wooden shrine from 1742 in Dalongdong.
Minoan civilization was a Bronze Age civilization that arose on the island of Crete, came to dominate the shores and islands of the Aegean Sea, and flourished as a maritime power from approximately the 27th century BCE to the 15th century BCE.<br/><br/> It was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century by British archaeologist Arthur Evans. Will Durant referred to it as 'the first link in the European chain'. Archaeological evidence points to the island's settlement between the late 8th and early 7th millennia BCE. However, it was not until 5000 BCE that the first signs of advanced agriculture appeared. Minoan civilization is considered to have begun with the palace complexes that appeared in the Bronze Age.
Renshou Si (Renshou Temple) was founded in 1925 and was originally a Vajrayana (also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle) temple. More recently it was converted to a Zen or Chan Buddhist temple.<br/><br/> Foshan dates back to the 7th century CE and has been famous for its ceramics, porcelain and pottery industry since the Song Dynasty (960 - 1276 CE). It is also famous for its martial arts. It contains numerous Wing Chun schools where many come to train and spar.
Zu Miao (Ancestral Temple) was built during the reign of Emperor Zhezong (1076 - 1100 CE), the 7th emperor of the Song Dynasty (960 - 1276 CE). The temple is dedicated to Beidi, the Northern God, who is said to have power over the waters of Guangdong.<br/><br/> Foshan dates back to the 7th century CE and has been famous for its ceramics, porcelain and pottery industry since the Song Dynasty. It is also famous for its martial arts. It contains numerous Wing Chun schools where many come to train and spar.
The Kaiyuan Temple is a Buddhist temple originally constructed in 738 CE during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). Chaozhou is believed to have been founded more than 1700 years ago. The town reached its zenith during the Ming era and was well known as a place of great culture as well as an important commercial and trading centre.<br/><br/> Teochew dialect (潮州話), by which the Chaozhou culture is conveyed, is one of the most conservative Chinese dialects because it preserves many contrasts from ancient Chinese that have been lost in some of the other modern dialects of Chinese.
In later Egyptian mythology, Ra-Horakhty was more of a title or manifestation than a composite deity. It may be translated as 'Ra (who is) Horus of the Horizons'.<br/><br/> Ra-Horakhty was intended to link Horakhty (as a sunrise-oriented aspect of Horus) to Ra. It has been suggested that Ra-Horakhty simply refers to the sun's journey from horizon to horizon as Ra, or that it means to show Ra as a symbolic deity of hope and rebirth.
Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. The forms taken by incense differ with the underlying culture, and have changed with advances in technology and increasing diversity in the reasons for burning it.<br/><br/> Incense can generally be separated into two main types: "indirect-burning" and "direct-burning." Indirect-burning incense (or "non-combustible incense") is not capable of burning on its own, and requires a separate heat source. Direct-burning incense (or "combustible incense") is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases fragrance. Direct-burning incense comes in several forms, including incense sticks (or "joss sticks"), cones, and pyramids.
Spherical incense burners from thie period, very few of which have survived, were hung from the ceiling or from the vault of an arch, while an ingenious system of gimbals inside the sphere stabilized the burning incense in the swinging container.
The Safavid dynasty (Persian: سلسلهٔ صفويان‎; Azerbaijani: صفویلر) was one of the most significant ruling dynasties of Iran. They ruled one of the greatest Persian empires since the Muslim conquest of Persia and established the Twelver school of Shi'a Islam as the official religion of their empire, marking one of the most important turning points in Muslim history.<br/><br/> The Safavids ruled from 1501 to 1722 (experiencing a brief restoration from 1729 to 1736) and at their height, they controlled all of modern Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Azerbaijan and Republic of Armenia, most of Iraq, Georgia, Afghanistan, and the Caucasus, as well as parts of Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey. Safavid Iran was one of the Islamic 'gunpowder empires', along with its neighbours, the Ottoman and Mughal empires.
The Forbidden City, built between 1406 and 1420, served for 500 years (until the end of the imperial era in 1911) as the seat of all power in China, the throne of the Son of Heaven and the private residence of all the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors. The complex consists of 980 buildings with 8,707 bays of rooms and covers 720,000 m2 (7,800,000 sq ft).
The Hall of Supreme Harmony (pinyin: Tài Hé Diàn; Manchu: Amba hūwaliyambure deyen) is the largest hall within the Forbidden City. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is one of the largest wooden structures within China. It was the location where Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty Emperors hosted their enthronement and wedding ceremonies. The name of the Hall was changed from Feng Tian Dian to the current one by the Shunzhi Emperor of Qing Dynasty.<br/><br/> The Forbidden City, built between 1406 and 1420, served for 500 years (until the end of the imperial era in 1911) as the seat of all power in China, the throne of the Son of Heaven and the private residence of all the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors. The complex consists of 980 buildings with 8,707 bays of rooms and covers 720,000 m2 (7,800,000 sq ft).
Of this scene Ponting notes: The Chinese are not a religious people. Confucianism, which dominates the Chinaman's life, being, properly speaking, a code of ethics. Yet many religions exist in China, among which are Buddhism, Mahommedanism (Islam) and Taoism.
The Putuo Zongcheng Temple is a Qing Dynasty era Buddhist temple complex built between 1767 and 1771, during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1735–1796). The temple was modeled after the Potala Palace of Tibet, the old sanctuary of the Dalai Lama built a century earlier.<br/><br/> In 1703, Chengde was chosen by the Kangxi Emperor as the location for his summer residence. Constructed throughout the eighteenth century, the Mountain Resort was used by both the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors. The site is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the seat of government followed the emperor, Chengde was a political center of the Chinese empire during these times.<br/><br/> Chengde, formerly known as Jehol, reached its height under the Qianlong Emperor 1735-1796 (died 1799). The great monastery temple of the Potala, loosely based on the famous Potala in Lhasa, was completed after just four years of work in 1771. It was heavily decorated with gold and the emperor worshipped in the Golden Pavilion. In the temple itself was a bronze-gilt statue of Tsongkhapa, the Reformer of the Gelugpa sect.
The Putuo Zongcheng Temple is a Qing Dynasty era Buddhist temple complex built between 1767 and 1771, during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1735–1796). The temple was modeled after the Potala Palace of Tibet, the old sanctuary of the Dalai Lama built a century earlier.<br/><br/> In 1703, Chengde was chosen by the Kangxi Emperor as the location for his summer residence. Constructed throughout the eighteenth century, the Mountain Resort was used by both the Yongzheng and Qianlong emperors. The site is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the seat of government followed the emperor, Chengde was a political center of the Chinese empire during these times.<br/><br/> Chengde, formerly known as Jehol, reached its height under the Qianlong Emperor 1735-1796 (died 1799). The great monastery temple of the Potala, loosely based on the famous Potala in Lhasa, was completed after just four years of work in 1771. It was heavily decorated with gold and the emperor worshipped in the Golden Pavilion. In the temple itself was a bronze-gilt statue of Tsongkhapa, the Reformer of the Gelugpa sect.
Taoyuan's old name was Taoziyuan (Chinese: 桃仔園; pinyin: Táozǐyuán; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Thô-á-hn̂g; literally: 'peach orchard'), since there used to be many peach blossoms in the area. In 1920 under Japanese rule, the area was renamed Taoyuan Town (Chinese: 桃園街; pinyin: Táoyuán Jiē; literally: 'peach garden town'), and incorporated into the Hsinchu state as a county jurisdiction. Since 1971, the name has remained Taoyuan City (桃園市).
Minh Mạng (1791–1841) was the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam, reigning from 14 February 1820 until 20 January 1841. He was a younger son of Emperor Gia Long, whose eldest son, Crown Prince Canh, had died in 1801. He was well known for his opposition to French involvement in Vietnam and his rigid Confucian orthodoxy. As Gia Long aged, he took on a more isolationist foreign policy, and as a result favored Minh Mang especially for his outlook.<br/><br/> Minh Mang was a classicist who was regarded as one of Vietnam's most scholarly monarchs. He was known as a poet and was regarded as an emperor who cared sincerely about his country and paid great attention to its rule, to the extent of micromanaging certain policies. He pursued a sceptical policy to Christian missionaries, often trying to inhibit their activities by administrative means, and later by explicitly banning proselytisation.<br/><br/> Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty between 1802 and 1945. The tombs of several emperors lie in and around the city and along the Perfume River. Hue is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Minh Mạng (1791–1841) was the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam, reigning from 14 February 1820 until 20 January 1841. He was a younger son of Emperor Gia Long, whose eldest son, Crown Prince Canh, had died in 1801. He was well known for his opposition to French involvement in Vietnam and his rigid Confucian orthodoxy. As Gia Long aged, he took on a more isolationist foreign policy, and as a result favored Minh Mang especially for his outlook.<br/><br/> Minh Mang was a classicist who was regarded as one of Vietnam's most scholarly monarchs. He was known as a poet and was regarded as an emperor who cared sincerely about his country and paid great attention to its rule, to the extent of micromanaging certain policies. He pursued a sceptical policy to Christian missionaries, often trying to inhibit their activities by administrative means, and later by explicitly banning proselytisation.<br/><br/> Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty between 1802 and 1945. The tombs of several emperors lie in and around the city and along the Perfume River. Hue is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Incense - myrrh and frankincense - travelled north along the ancient Incense Roads from Yeman and Oman from early antiquity. Used in worship and to perfume the air, various types of incense burner were used in this process.<br/><br/> In this instance, the head of the stylised lion is hinged and can be tipped forward, allowing the body of the lion to be filled with glowing embers. Incense was then scattered on the embers, and the fragrant smoke resulting escaped through the patterned holes in the lions chest, neck and flanks.
The San Jao Lim Ko Niaw shrine is dedicated to the sister of Lim To Khieng, a visiting Chinese merchant who had married a local woman and converted to Islam.<br/><br/> To show his devotion to his new faith, he started building a mosque, the Kru Se Mosque situated outside Pattani town. His sister, Lim Ko Niaw, sailed from China to protest about his conversion, and he swore that he would return to China as soon as the new mosque was finished. However, he made sure that it never was, and his sister, on her deathbed, cursed the building and anyone who attempted to complete it. Her shrine, Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao, located in downtown Pattani, and the Kru Se Mosque, still attract huge numbers of devotees, the former mainly ethnic Chinese, and the latter Muslim.<br/><br/> Pattani, founded in the 15th century, was once the capital of an independent Malay-speaking sultanate. Today it is the spiritual heart and most important town in the Malay Muslim region of Thailand’s Deep South. About 75 per cent of the population are Malay-speaking Muslims (figures are disputed), and the city and region are at the centre of the current political instability that has disturbed the Deep South border provinces for at least four decades.
The Shōsō-in (正倉院) is the treasure house that belongs to Tōdai-ji, Nara. The Shōsō-in houses artifacts connected to Emperor Shōmu (701–756) and Empress Kōmyō (701–760), as well as arts and crafts of the Tempyō period of Japanese history.<br/><br/> After the Meiji Restoration, the Shōsō-in came under the administration of the national government, and since World War II has been under the administration of the Imperial Household Agency. It is on the UNESCO register of World Heritage Sites as one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. It is also a national treasure of Japan.
The Vegetarian Festival is a religious festival annually held on the island of Phuket in southern Thailand. It attracts crowds of spectators because of many of the unusual religious rituals that are performed. Many religious devotees will slash themselves with swords, pierce their cheeks with sharp objects and commit other painful acts. The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (Chinese: Jiǔhuángyé; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Káu-ông-iâ; Cantonese: Kow Wong Yeh) is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which is observed primarily in Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
South Arabia as a general term refers to several regions as currently recognized, in chief the Republic of Yemen; yet it has historically also included Najran, Jizan, and 'Asir which are presently in Saudi Arabia, and Dhofar presently in Oman. The frontiers of South Arabia as linguistically conceived would include the historic peoples speaking the related South Arabian languages as well as neighboring dialects of Arabic, and their descendants. Anciently there was a South Arabian alphabet, which was borrowed by Ethiopia. South Arabia as generally conceived would include the lands inhabited by peoples partaking of its distinctive traditions and culture, which overlap recently demarcated political boundaries.<br/><br/> Yemen or al-yaman means 'the south'. One etymology derives Yemen from yamin the 'right side' as the south is on the right when facing the sunrise; yet this etymology is considered suspect. Another derives Yemen from yumn meaning 'felicity' as the region is fertile; indeed the Romans called it Arabia Felix. In an ancient, traditional Arabian genealogy, the people of the peninsula are divided between north and south, those of the north descending from Ishmael and Adnan (from whom Muhammad descended), and those of South Arabia being the descendants of Qahtan or Joktan (Yoqtan) and Jokshan.<br/><br/> Three thousand years ago several different state entities occupied the region of South Arabia, including M'ain, Qataban, Hadhramaut and Saba.In those ancient times South Arabia claimed several notable features, e.g., the famous dam at Marib, the cosmopolitan incense trade, as well as the legendary Queen of Sheba. Two thousand years ago the Himyarites became the masters of South Arabia, remaining for several centuries until displaced by the armies of Axum which landed from nearby Ethiopia; rule by the Ethiopians was followed by that of Persia under the Sassanids, who also arrived by sea. A half-century later, in the year 638 C.E., the region became Muslim.
The Qustul censer is an incense burner depicting three ships sailing toward a serekh (royal palace). In the middle boat a Pharaoh is shown (as archaeologist Bruce Williams discerned) wearing the White Crown of Upper Egypt and is adorned in royal Egyptian regalia.<br/><br/> By his crown, a falcon symbol of the god Horus hovers, and in front of the falcon a rosette, an Egyptian royal insignia, is shown. This piece of characteristic Egyptian art was found not in Egypt, but rather 200 miles southward into Nubia. This discovery was mind-boggling. The Qustul censer was dated at 3,300 B.C., long preceding predynastic Egypt.<br/><br/> This piece of Egyptian-influenced art was found not in Egypt, but rather 320 km (200 miles) south in Nubia. The Qustul censer is dated at 3,100 BCE, preceding predynastic Egypt.
The Hui people (Chinese: 回族; pinyin: Huízú, Xiao'erjing: حُوِ ذَو / حواري) are a Muslim ethnic group in China. Hui people are found throughout the country, though they are concentrated mainly in the provinces of Ningxia, Qinghai, and Gansu.<br/><br/> According to a 2000 census, China is home to approximately 9.8 million Hui people, the majority of whom are Chinese-speaking practitioners of Islam. Although many Hui people are ethnically similar to Han Chinese, the group has retained some Persian and Central Asian features, their ethnicity and culture having been shaped profoundly by their position along the Silk Road trading route.