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Chinese phrase translation: 黑马 (hēimǎ) dark horse

黑马 (hēimǎ) dark horse Usage: “黑马”原来是指在赛马场上本来不被看好,却能在比赛中出乎意料地获胜的马匹。后来比喻实力难测的竞争者或出人意料的优胜者。"黑马(hēimǎ)" refers to the unexpected winner in a race or competition. This word is originally used in the field of horse racing.

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Ancient Clepsydras

Lou (water clock) is an idiom used by ancient Chinese equivalent to today's "clock". Zhonghu Dilou is also called clepsydra or water clock. The time-measuring device consists of several kettles filled with water, which are usually connected together. There are small holes on the bottom of upper kettles, so that once the kettles are filled up, the water will drop down stepwise and regularly to the lower kettles. The lowest kettle has an erect buoy in it carved with scale divisions. The clepsydra is a 24-hour calculagraph used to calculate time through observing the scale of buoy according to fluctuation of buoy enabled by changes in water level. It measures time day and night during both sunny and rainy days. However, there may be changes in the speed of dripping according to temperature condition, which lead to inevitable error or difference in telling time. Nevertheless, it can be corrected by using sundial during fine days. 

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The Earliest “Refrigerator” – Bronze Jian

The Bronze Jian (utensil containing ice) is considered the earliest and most primitive green “refrigerator” ever found in the world by far. It is unearthed in 1977 from Zeng Hou Yi tomb in Sui County, Hubei province. It is a representative of the bronze vessels in the tomb as it gives a full expression of the novel, unique and delicate features of the bronze vessels in the tomb.

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