Spirits Revisited

Spirit possession rituals have an unsettling link to our cultural past

Stay Grounded: The Earth Element

Earth is the planet we call home. But earth doesn’t necessarily always represent the physical planet, but also that part of us which is stable, solid and dependable. Earth is the realm of abundance, prosperity and wealth. It is a personality trait and a vital element.

Celebrating Nowruz - Central Asia

Get a glimpse of ancient cities along the Great Silk Road, bask in the nomadic culture and Soviet heritage, and experience the vast mountains and steppes of Central Asia. Each of the five “stans” has much to offer, especially in times of celebration

With Rolex, The World Is Your Oyster

The word “Perpetual” is inscribed on every Rolex Oyster. But more than just a word on a dial, it is a philosophy that embodies the company’s vision and values.

Meet Me In The Middle

Walk with us through the centre of the planet

Question And Answer On The Mountain

Translated from Chinese

Battle Of The Hemispheres

The Northern Hemisphere refers to the half of the planet that is north of the equator, while the Southern Hemisphere is everything south of the equator. Some continents run through both hemispheres. All of Europe and North America are in the Northern Hemisphere. Also in the Northern Hemisphere is almost all of Asia, as well as the majority of Africa). The Southern Hemisphere encapsulates all of Antarctica, South Asia, approximately one-third of Africa, all of Australia and approximately 90 percent of South America (below the mouth of the Amazon River). The North Pole, of course, is in the Northern Hemisphere, while the South Pole is at the most southerly part of the Southern Hemisphere.

A Quick Guide to Central Asia

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The Message

RABINDRANATH TAGORE (1861–1941) was a Bengali poet, author, composer and painter. Best known for his poetry, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, becoming the first non-European to do so.

Epic Reads

The retelling of Asia’s iconic folk tales

Daggers Forged In Fire

Of the countless weapons bought and sold every day around the world, relatively few can be considered a valued part of a cultural heritage. Fewer still are thought to contain some element of the supernatural.

Folk Tales of Asia

The stories that make us

The Light That Never Goes Out

The mysterious hillside with an inextinguishable natural fire

Burning With Desire

The status of fire as a component of life can be found in the philosophy of ancient cultures in Asia. Fire has a symbolic function in many of the continent’s – and world’s – religious beliefs, and it is used in celebration as well as mourning. Fire’s dual nature can be associated with purification processes; whilst for others, it is seen as the thing that needs to be extinguished. For some, fire is regarded as life-giving; whilst for others, fire is connected with destruction. It must also be noted that the symbolism of fire extends well beyond the realm of religion and has inspired other areas as well, including the occult, literature, and art. And the results are nothing short of enchanting.

Playing With Fire: The Fire Element

Fire has always provided one of the most prominent metaphors, spanning different peoples and cultures. This significant element represents purification, destruction, power, energy, and transformation. Moreover, thanks to its versatility and practical uses, harnessing fire was an important milestone in early human development.

Fire Festivals In Asia

“Chaharshanbe Suri is the symbol of good health, cultivation, light, and purity to Iranians.”

Fire Festivals Of East Asia

From daily rituals through religious festivals to cultural celebrations, East Asia is blessed with numerous rich traditions full of colour, drama and exuberance. No more is this true than with the region’s spectacular fire festivals, destined to ignite that spark on your next travel adventure.

Great Poets All Over The World Have Written About Rivers, And Why Not?

Great poets all over the world have written about rivers, and why not?

Oceans

Asia has both the highest and the lowest points on the surface of the Earth, has the longest coastline of any continent, is subject to the world’s widest climatic extremes, and, consequently, produces the most varied forms of vegetation and animal life on Earth. In addition, the peoples of Asia have established the broadest variety of human adaptation found on any of the continents.

Army of Angels

Afghanistan’s community midwives

The Water People

Powerful, purifying, and mysterious, water bodies play a vital role in many cultures and religions. Some live and die by the waters, and some believe the deep blue is home to gods and goddesses. Others look to the waves in search of the spirits of their deceased loved ones. The waters bring people together to pray to higher beings, and the high seas.

The Blue God

Vishnu is one of the most important gods in the Hindu pantheon and, along with Brahma and Shiva, is considered a member of the holy trinity of Hinduism. As the most important god of Vaishnaism, the largest Hindu sect, he is involved in a number of colourful stories which illustrate his virtues as the protector of cosmic order.

The Economic Impact Of COVID-19

Since the SARS outbreak, China has grown from the world’s sixth-largest economy to the second biggest today. The country has been a key growth driver worldwide, with the International Monetary Fund estimating that China alone accounted for 39% of global economic expansion in the past year.

Reading The Novel Coronavirus

The new year began with a shocking start for everyone as the infectious 2019 novel coronavirus swallowed China and the rest of the world. While China remains the country hardest hit by the outbreak, several countries across Europe, North America and especially the Asia-Pacific have been reporting hundreds or even thousands of cases, with the worldwide total surpassing 100,000 by early March.

Island Nations Of Asia

An island country is a nation that is made up of one or more islands, or land that is surrounded completely by water. Around one-fifth of Asia is made up of island nations, and while island countries are typically small with low populations, some, like Indonesia and Japan are notable exceptions.

A Rice Journey

Rice is an Asian essential. The tiny grain holds colossal history and significance, and is one that is worth journeying through.

Oodles Of Noodles

The humble noodle is a versatile staple that is enjoyed all over the world in different forms. While its origins have always been a highly debated topic, in 2005, archaeologists unearthed a perfectly preserved 4,000-year-old bowl of noodles in northwestern China.

Dishing Out The Desserts

Asian desserts are chock-full of unique, delectable tastes and textures. The largest continent in the world boasts a variety of people and cultures, who inevitably come to the party with their own vast ranges of desserts. With recipes handed down through the generations, these sweet treats are steeped in tradition. From southeast to east, and west to the south, we bring to your plate the plethora of dishes and their ingredients from all corners of the continent.

From The Streets To The Glitz

Asian cuisine is as varied as the continent is vast.

Paan: The Perfect Parcel

Look around the pavements of any Indian city, and you will find red splatter spots marked on the ground.