Several recent articles here explored depths in Westerners’ emphasis on abstract lines and distinct objects. But neither has been a central concept in China, where
Many ancient Indians believed that clouds are elephants’ celestial relatives. They actually called an elephant “Cloud” (Megha) when they honored it. According to Heinrich Zimmer,
France’s King Francois I played a leading role in importing the Italian Renaissance to his land while reigning from 1515 to 1547, and his physique
Dear Lord, let the people you love most live in this land! I often appreciated this old Bavarian prayer while savoring its beautiful mountains and
The kings of the Lan Xang Empire unified their realm by importing Indian traditions, including Buddhist monasteries and court dances that dramatized the Ramayana. But
Many fans of Laotian art say that Luang Prabang’s Wat Xieng Thong is the most beautiful temple in the country. It was built by
I’ve been looking forward to writing a series of articles on the Laotian Lan Xang kingdom. It was a fascinating cultural crossroads when its political
When the great Lao kingdom of Lan Xang was founded in the 14th century, its first king, Fa Ngum, brought the Buddhist faith up from
Italy boasted many wonders when its artists developed three-dimensional perspective in the 15th century, and no place has been more wondrous than Venice. Its unique