The function of couplets is to further express or supplement the meaning of couplets, so as to achieve the overall harmony of rhythm and artistic conception. The ending couplets usually echo the content of the couplets, which can strengthen the artistic conception, theme or expression of the couplets. It can further outline the meaning of couplets and play a complementary and comparative role.
The format and requirements of couplets are similar to those of couplets, which are generally composed of four words, but they do not necessarily require leveling or rhyming. It can express emotion, implication, blessing and so on, which increases the artistry and integrity of couplets. In traditional festivals, festive occasions and cultural activities in China, end couplets are often used.
For example, during the Spring Festival, people will stick couplets on the doorframes and put corresponding tail couplets on both sides of the doors to express their wishes and good luck for the new year. "Tail couplet" refers to the lower couplet in couplets, which generally appears on the lintel and echoes the "head couplet" (the upper couplet in couplets).
End couplets often express wishes for festivals, New Year, etc. , or express auspiciousness, peace and happiness. During the Spring Festival, people will put couplets on the lintel. This tradition has been going on for many years. Generally speaking, couplets are the supplement and echo of couplets, and occupy an important position in literature and traditional culture.
The origin of couplets
The origin of couplets can be traced back to the ancient "continuation word", which is a kind of words arranged with homophones and synonyms, and is often used in occasions such as sacrifices and celebrations. With the passage of time, this arrangement gradually evolved and formed the later dual structure.
The rhetorical forms of antithesis are also reflected in Han Fu and poetry, such as "Jue" and "quatrains" in Han Fu and "antithetical sentences" in poetry. These forms provided the foundation for the later creation of couplets. According to traditional records, the origin of couplets can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty.
In the Tang Dynasty, there was a literary form called "couplets", in which poems or words were engraved, which had some connection with later couplets. In the Song Dynasty, couplets gradually developed into an independent art form and began to be widely used in temples, palaces, literati academies and other places.