Three Yuan festivals; lunar New Year; top exam honors
Meanings
3 senses · 6 examplesnoun
the Three Yuan Festivals (15th of 1st, 7th, and 10th lunar months)
Refers to three important Daoist festivals: Shangyuan (Lantern Festival), Zhongyuan (Ghost Festival), and Xiayuan.
During the Three Yuan Festivals, grand sacrificial ceremonies are held everywhere.
Taoism collectively refers to the 15th of the first, seventh, and tenth lunar months as the Three Yuan.
noun
the first day of the first lunar month (beginning of year, month, and day)
archaicAn archaic term referring to the Lunar New Year's Day as the simultaneous beginning of the year, month, and day.
In olden times, the first day of the first month was called Sanyuan, taking the meaning of the beginning of the year, month, and day.
noun
the three top honors in imperial examinations (jieyuan, huiyuan, zhuangyuan)
archaicRefers to achieving first place in all three levels of the imperial examination system. The idiom '连中三元' means to achieve this feat.
He achieved the triple first-place honors in the imperial examinations, becoming a legendary figure of his time.
Jieyuan, Huiyuan, and Zhuangyuan are collectively called Sanyuan, the highest honor for scholars.
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Throughout history, there have been very few talented individuals who achieved first place in all three examinations.