📖 Meaning
A metaphor for beautiful wives, concubines, or young women. The repeated bird names—swallows and orioles—traditionally symbolize grace, beauty, and the liveliness of spring. It evokes an image of delicate femininity and charm.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from a poem by the Jin dynasty poet Yuan Haowen (元好问), titled 'Inscribed on Shang Mengqing's Painting of Emperor Minghuang's Combined Melodies.' The relevant line reads: 'A single begonia makes one country of spring; swallows and orioles keep Cold Food Festival company.' The birds symbolize the beautiful women surrounding Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, also known as Minghuang. Over time, the phrase evolved into a metaphor for lovely young women or wives and concubines.
💡 Example Usage
这园中燕燕莺莺，好不热闹。
The garden was filled with lovely young women, bustling with life and excitement.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 燕燕莺莺
- Pinyin: yàn yàn yīng yīng
- Literal Translation: swallow, swallow, oriole, oriole
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4