御沟流叶 — “Imperial moat flowing leaves”
御沟流叶 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “refers to palace maids in ancient China who longed for freedom or marriage, often symbolized by a red leaf flowing out of the imperial moat, indicating their desire to escape the confines of the palace and enter the outside world”. Literally, “Imperial moat flowing leaves”.
御沟流叶 Pronunciation and Pinyin
御沟流叶 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 御沟流叶
Origin and Story of 御沟流叶
During the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang, while on an inspection tour in Sichuan, he was accompanied by Fangzi, a palace maid skilled in calligraphy. Fangzi was very learned.
One day, she inscribed a poem on a red leaf: "Why is the flowing water so swift? Deep in the palace, days are idly spent. I earnestly thank this red leaf, please go forth into the human world." After writing, she casually tossed it into the imperial moat.
The leaf was later picked up by Li Yin, a scholar from Xiangzhou.
Coincidentally, they met at a mountain villager's home. Upon seeing the inscribed red leaf, Fangzi recognized it, and the two subsequently formed a happy marriage.
Idioms Related to 御沟流叶
Synonyms of 御沟流叶
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Open the tool →Questions about 御沟流叶
What does 御沟流叶 mean?
御沟流叶 (yù gōu liú yè) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “refers to palace maids in ancient China who longed for freedom or marriage, often symbolized by a red leaf flowing out of the imperial moat, indicating their desire to escape the confines of the palace and enter the outside world”.
How do you pronounce 御沟流叶?
御沟流叶 is pronounced yù gōu liú yè in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 御沟流叶 literally mean?
Literally, 御沟流叶 means “Imperial moat flowing leaves”. It is used to mean “refers to palace maids in ancient China who longed for freedom or marriage, often symbolized by a red leaf flowing out of the imperial moat, indicating their desire to escape the confines of the palace and enter the outside world”.
Where does 御沟流叶 come from?
御沟流叶 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 御沟流叶?
御沟：皇城外的护城河。皇城外的护城河水中漂流的红叶。指皇宫中盼望外嫁的宫女