Bonus: Learn the Chinese Dynasties with Cortney & Ellen! Artwork

Of the Earth 本土

Of the Earth is a podcast created by Cortney Chaffin and Ellen Larson, two art historians who have dedicated themselves to the study of over 5,000 years of material culture from China. The program’s title comes from the Chinese word 本土 (bentu), meaning “native soil.” In each episode, Of the Earth digs into a wide range of topics, introducing listeners to the many connections, complexities, and contradictions of Chinese art and culture, across time and space.

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Of the Earth 本土

Bonus: Learn the Chinese Dynasties with Cortney & Ellen!

July 04, 2021 • Cortney & Ellen • Season 1

Ever felt overwhelmed by how many Chinese dynasties there are to learn?! In this bonus episode, Cortney & Ellen introduce the "Chinese Dynasties Song," an incredible tool for learning the names of the Chinese dynasties. Impress your friends at the next cocktail party! Fair warning--this tune is an earworm. Before you know it, everyone will be singing along with you!

We want to hear from you! Send us your own video performing the Chinese Dynasties Song and tag us @oftheearthpodcast on Instagram and we'll send you official Of the Earth 本土 merch!

Shang (the a in Shang has a short o sound /a/)
Zhou (sounds like the name Joe)
Qin (sounds like "Cheen")
Han (the a in Han has a short o sound /a/)
Sui (sounds like "sway")
Tang (short a in Tang has a short o sound /a/)
Song (long o sound)
Yuan (sounds like "you an")
Ming (sounds like "me" and "ing" combined)
Qing (sounds like "chi" and "ing" combined)
Republic
Mao Zedong

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Stay tuned for our next episode!