a bird mentioned in ancient texts
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 2 examplesnoun
a type of bird mentioned in ancient Chinese texts, often identified with the osprey or a similar waterfowl
archaicMost famously appears in the opening lines of the ancient Chinese classic 《诗经·关雎》 (The Book of Songs, Guan Ju), where it symbolizes romantic love.
Guān关
guān关
jū雎
jiū鸠
，
zài在
hé河
zhī之
zhōu洲
。
Guan-guan cry the ospreys, on the islet in the river.
Jū雎
jiū鸠
zài在
gǔ古
diǎn典
wén文
xué学
zhōng中
shì是
ài爱
qíng情
de的
xiàng象
zhēng征
。
The osprey (jūjiū) is a symbol of love in classical literature.