📖 Meaning
Magu presenting longevity. It refers to the mythological story of the fairy Magu brewing wine from lingzhi mushrooms to celebrate the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West. The idiom is used to convey birthday wishes and blessings of long life to elders or respected persons.
📜 Origin Story
The story originates from the 'Shenxian Zhuan' (Biographies of Divine Immortals) by Ge Hong of the Jin Dynasty. According to the text, Magu was a woman from Jianchang who cultivated the Dao at Mount Yugushan in Mouzhou. On the third day of the third month, the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu), Magu brewed wine from lingzhi mushrooms by the Jiangzhu River and presented it to the Queen Mother to celebrate her longevity. This tale became a classic motif in Chinese culture for birthday celebrations and wishes of long life.
💡 Example Usage
奶奶八十大寿时，孙女画了一幅麻姑献寿图祝她福寿安康。
For their grandmother's eightieth birthday, her granddaughter painted a picture of Magu offering longevity to wish her happiness and a long, healthy life.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 麻姑献寿
- Pinyin: má gū xiàn shòu
- Literal Translation: Magu, offer, longevity
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4