Page 31 - 歇後語2
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19 黃連樹下 彈 琴
黃連樹下彈琴
─苦中取樂。
苦中取樂
黃連的根、莖都很苦，
黃連的根 莖都很苦
但樹高不過 一 尺，
但樹高不過一尺
坐在黃連樹下 彈 琴
坐在黃連樹下彈琴
只是 一 種假想。
只是一種假想
指在困苦中強尋歡樂。
指在困苦中強尋歡樂
Strumming the qin under a goldthread tree
─ making merry in difficult times.
The Chinese goldthread or Coptis chinensis only grows to a height of
about one foot so the image of sitting under it is actually a physical
impossibility.
The plant is used in Chinese medicine and is known for its bitterness.
Ku, bitter, also has the meaning of hardship, suffering or misery.
Music is a form of enjoyment but note also that the Chinese characters
for “enjoyment” and “music” are the same.
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