There is an English expression, ‘Two birds with one stone’. However, this same idea is expressed in Chinese as Yi-jian-shuang-diao or Shooting two hawks with one arrow, and is an expression found in the Pei-shih or the official history of the Northern -Wei dynasty, 386-605 A.D., written by the Tang (唐 táng) historian, Li Yen-shou. In an historical anecdote, the following is related.

During the period of the Epoch of the division of the North and South (南北朝 nán běi cháo), 420-589 A.D., there was a general serving the Northern-Chou State (北周 běi zhōu), named Chang Sun Sheng (長孫晟 cháng sūn shèng). He was not only astute in military science and the art of war, but was also very good in archery. One year, his sovereign, King Xuan (宣帝 xuān dì) ordered him to escort a princess to the northwestern Turkish kingdom of She-tu (攝圖 shè tú) to become the bride of that kingdom’s ruler.

After accomplishing his mission, but before leaving to his native State, Chang Sun Sheng was asked to accompany the Turkish ruler on a hunt. The Turkish ruler had heard about the Chinese general’s skill in archery and wanted to see for himself exactly what level of skill he possessed. Seeing two hawks contending for food in the sky, the Turkish ruler gave Chang Sun Sheng two arrows and asked him to shoot down the birds with them. The Chinese general complied and brought down the two hawks with one single arrow to the ruler’s amazement.

This recorded episode became known as Yi-jian-shuang-diao, similar to the statement getting two birds with one stone, and is illustrated as two hawks being pierced with an arrow. The expression is said of getting two separate results in one go and is a compliment of one’s outstanding achievement of succeeding in several tasks simultaneously with sill and talent. It is the expression for achieve a dual purpose.

Gift-giving is an important part of Chinese tradition and culture. The custom of bringing something as a house-warming gift when visiting to gifts to mark various celebrations, rites of passage, important events, festivals, etc. Some types of gifts become standard, such as seasonal foods and cakes, or fruits and cakes. Whatever the case may be, there are various forms of gift-rapping, such as boxes, trays, envelopes, etc, each marked for various occasions. However, there is also a traditional custom to attach a feather with or on the gift. This defines the gift as Qian-li-song-e-mao, literally, a swan feather from a thousand miles. meaning a gift which may be small but, carries with it the sincere wishes of the sender.

The literary expression is found in the Lu-shi (路史 lù shǐ), a compilation of historical anecdotes by the Ming dynasty (明朝 míng cháo), 1368 -1683 A.D., scholar Xu-wei (徐謂xú wèi), which records the following.

During the Tang dynasty (唐朝 táng cháo), 618-906 A.D., there was a local official who gave orders to one of his attendants to take a swan to the Emperor as a gift. The attendant, being conscientious, saw that the swan needed to be cleaned. While en route, he took the swan to the river’s edge and took it out of the cage to give it a bath when the swan escaped and flew away, leaving only a feather, which had broken off behind.

The attendant was at a loss of what to do. However, being a loyal retainer, he needed to accomplish his assigned mission. Not knowing what alternative was at his disposal, he presented the feather with a slip of paper bearing a poem, reading:

 千里送鵝毛 (qiān lǐ sòng é máo)-A swan’s feather from a thousand miles away
 禮輕情意重 (lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng)-An insignificant gift, with it the sincere wishes of the sender.

From this literary expression, there became the popular and common phrase, 物輕情重(wù qīng qíng zhòng), which gave the same meaning. Therefore, the feather became the symbol for this expression which may be attached to a gift.

Place mouse over text to view annotation, click on the arrow to play audio.

The Tournament of the Twelve Animals

The Jade Emperor wanted to select twelve animals to represent the different years as totems. Hearing this, all the animals on earth rushed to the call with each desiring to be selected. Finding no suitable method on which to base his selection, the Jade Emperor decided to have a tournament of physical skills and abilities.

The Jade Emperor appointed the Elephant to be the undisputed judge of this tournament. The elephant was known for his calmness, great moral virtue and conduct. His judgment was principled and fair and because of this he is highly respected by all the animals.

When this tournament and its rules were announced, the Cat heard about it and went to tell this to the Rat. In earlier times, both the Cat and the Rat were very close friends. The Cat told the Rat that he was eligible to compete because being an animal was the only necessary qualification. When the Rat arrived, he saw that there was already a mighty strong brown Ox poised on the tournament platform welcoming all challengers.

The brown Ox was both large in size and extremely mighty. He thought little of having the tiny Rat as his opponent. He was over confident as he stood boldly on the tournament platform. Readying himself for the battle, the Ox raised his front legs and pawed and scratched on the ground as he was prepared to stomp on the Rat and flatten him into a small meat patty. However, the Rat was light in weight and quick and agile in movement so that he was successful in side-stepping the charging Ox. The Rat jumped onto his feet and catapulted himself onto the back of the Ox. The Ox was helpless to this attack and the pain inflicted caused him to scream out with an admission of defeat. The judge had no alternative than to award the Rat with the coveted First prize. The Ox was embarrassed and speechless to have lost to the Rat.

The rest of the animals battled one another, and this is how the ranking of the twelve animals came to be: (1)Rat, (2)Ox, (3)Tiger, (4)Hare, (5)Dragon, (6)Snake, (7)Horse, (8)Ram, (9)Monkey, (10)Rooster, (11)Dog, (12)Boar.

Sponsor:Chinese.myGVD.com

Buy the clock

Technorati Tags: Chinese New Year, Twelve Animals, Jade Emperor, Rat, Ox, , Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, , Boar, stories