The meaning of Zhilan

Interpretation:

"Zhi" refers to "Zhi", Zhilan is the abbreviation of Cymbidium, which refers to Cymbidium and Angelica dahurica.

① Zhihelan, two kinds of herbs: fragrant as Zhilan; Zhilan grows in deep forests.

②It is a metaphor for outstanding children: the orchid is beautiful; the orchid is luxuriant. See "Zhilan Yushu".

"Confucius' Family Sayings·Zai'e": "Zhilan is born in the deep forest, and it is not fragrant because there is no one." According to "Xunzi·Youzuo", it is called "Zhilan". Zhi is also a fragrant grass, and the word "zhi" is borrowed from it. It is also a metaphor for the beauty of talent.

"The graceful flowers and green leaves are long, and the wind can hardly hide the fragrance in the valley. It is not admirable because of the weeds, even if there is no one, it will be fragrant." This poem about orchids not only describes the characteristics of orchids, but also depicts their character and valuable sentiments.

Extended information:

Zhilan is a wild orchid that borders Dongting Lishui Basin in the south. It belongs to the Orchidaceae family and is a terrestrial orchid. It got its name from the wonderful poem "There are Zhi in the Yuan and there are orchids in the Li" left by the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, the doctor of Chu, who traveled here.

Literature related:

In "Yueyang Tower" by Fan Zhongyan, who was worried about the world beforehand, there is a spring and bright scenery, calm waves, the sky above and below, a vast expanse of blue; sand gulls flying Gathering, golden scales are swimming; the shore is covered with orchids, lush and green. Or when the long smoke disappears, the bright moon shines thousands of miles away, the floating light leaps into the gold, the silent shadow sinks into the jade, and the fishermen answer each other's songs, how wonderful is this joy! Climbing the tower, there are those who feel relaxed and happy, forgetting favors and disgrace together, drinking wine in the wind, and they are overjoyed.

Translation: When the spring breeze is warm and the sun is shining brightly, the lake surface is calm and there are no stormy waves. The sky and lake light are connected, and it is green and vast; the gulls on the sandbank sometimes fly and sometimes rest, and the beautiful fish Swimming around, the herbs on the shore and the orchids on the islets are lush and green.

Sometimes the large smoke dissipates completely, the bright moonlight pours out thousands of miles, the fluctuating light shines golden, the quiet moon image sinks into the water, and the fisherman's song is heard singing between you and me, this is The fun is endless!

Reference materials:

Baidu Encyclopedia—Zhilan