Ageing is a beautiful journey , but it does come with changes in the body, especially in joint health. As cartilage wears down and muscles weaken over time, many older adults start to notice stiffness, discomfort, or reduced mobility. The good news? Simple, daily habits can make a big difference in how joints feel and…

As Singapore’s population ages rapidly, looking after mental health and maintaining cognitive function has never been more important. According to the Ministry of health, by 2030, the number of people living with dementia in Singapore could rise to around 152,000 as the population becomes super-aged. But there is encouraging news, research shows that lifestyle habits…

The giving of red packets, commonly known as hongbao or angbao, is one of the most enduring and meaningful (and profitable) traditions of Chinese New Year. In Singapore, this practice continues to play an important cultural role, blending long-held beliefs with modern social and economic realities. At its core, the red packet symbolises blessings, good…

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节, chūn jié), is the most important celebration in the Chinese lunar calendar. Rooted in centuries of belief in luck, balance, and symbolism, the festival places just as much emphasis on what should be avoided as on what should be done. These taboos, passed down through…

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节, Chūn Jié), is the most significant traditional celebration for Chinese communities worldwide. Beyond vibrant decorations, reunion feasts, and fireworks, the festival is deeply rooted in rituals and beliefs shaped by centuries of cultural, spiritual, and familial values. Spanning several weeks rather than a single day,…

In earlier parts of this series, we explored surnames shaped by emperors, dynasties, and migration.Part 4 turns to three surnames whose stories are marked by loyalty, reform, and intellectual legacy: Wu (伍), Yang (杨), and He (何). Though less commonly discussed together, these names reflect the complexity of Chinese history from political intrigue and warfare…

As we continue our surname series, Part 3 turns to three names that sit at the very core of Chinese civilization: Liu, Wang, and Zhou.These surnames became widespread not merely through migration, but because they were closely tied to dynasties, kingship, and state-building across early Chinese history. Let’s explore how these names emerged, what they…

Welcome back to our surname exploration series!In Part 1, we uncovered the origins of some of the most common Chinese surnames in Singapore. Today, we continue the journey with three more widely recognized names: Zhang (张), Zhao (赵), and Sun (孙). Beyond their linguistic origins, each surname carries centuries of history — and in some…

(Part 1 of the “Origins Behind Chinese Surnames” series) Every name carries a story — one that connects us to our ancestors, our heritage, and our shared past.This article marks Part One of our new series exploring the origins of common surnames in Singapore, starting with those most familiar to the local Chinese community. In…

Hindu funeral rituals are deeply rooted in ancient beliefs about life, death, and the soul’s eternal journey. They are performed not only to bid farewell to the departed, but also to help the soul transition peacefully to its next existence. In Singapore, where Hindu communities from South India and North India coexist, funeral customs may…