What is the origin of Chinese four wisdoms story?

Some of the origins of the elements in the Chinese four wisdoms story are related to the long - term development of Chinese handicrafts and technology. Take papermaking as an example. It was the result of continuous experimentation with different materials like plant fibers. The origin of printing also has a lot to do with the improvement of engraving techniques. As for gunpowder, it was related to the development of the chemical industry in ancient China. The compass was not only related to navigation needs but also to the study of magnetism. These are all the results of the continuous progress of Chinese civilization in different fields, which gradually formed the elements of the four wisdoms.

Chinese Buddhism originated from India. Buddhist scriptures and teachings were gradually introduced into China through the Silk Road and other trade routes. Monks and scholars from India brought the profound religious concepts. Then, over time, it blended with Chinese traditional culture, like Confucianism and Taoism. This integration made Chinese Buddhism develop unique characteristics different from Indian Buddhism, such as different sects with their own special interpretations and practices.

The Chinese horoscope has a long - standing origin story. It is based on a 12 - year cycle, each year associated with a different animal. Legend has it that the Jade Emperor held a race to determine the order of the animals in the cycle. The rat won by being clever and hitching a ride on the ox. And so, the cycle was established with the rat being the first in the sequence.

The origin of the Chinese calendar can be traced back thousands of years. It was developed with a deep understanding of nature. In ancient China, people needed a way to mark time for agricultural activities. They watched the moon phases closely as the moon had a significant impact on tides and some aspects of farming. At the same time, they were aware of the solar year for longer - term seasonal changes. By integrating these two aspects, they created a calendar system that was not only useful for farming but also for cultural and religious purposes.

The Chinese zodiac origin story is related to a great race. Legend has it that the Jade Emperor wanted to select twelve animals to represent the years. All the animals were invited to take part in a race across a river. The rat was very clever. It hitched a ride on the ox's back and just before the ox reached the shore, the rat jumped off and became the first. Then came the ox, tiger, rabbit and so on. Each animal has its own characteristics and is associated with different qualities in Chinese culture.

The Chinese dragon origin has multiple theories. One is that it originated from totems. Ancient tribes combined different animal features they respected, like the snake's body, the eagle's claws, etc., and gradually formed the concept of the dragon.

The Chinese calendar has a long and complex history. It originated from ancient observations of celestial phenomena and agricultural cycles.

I'm not sure specifically which 'four white horses' you are referring to. There could be various origin stories depending on different cultural or fictional contexts. For example, in some mythologies, white horses might be associated with deities or heroes and their origin could be related to divine creation or special events.

The Four Chinese Novels are 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', 'Water Margin', 'Journey to the West' and 'Dream of the Red Chamber'.

The Four Great Classics of China were Dream of the Red Chamber, Journey to the West, Water Margins, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. These four works are all classics in the history of Chinese literature, known as the treasures of Chinese culture, and are widely read and praised. They were created in different eras, displaying the essence and values of Chinese traditional culture with different subjects and styles, which had a far-reaching influence.