imperial gate tower; the court (metonym)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
gate towers flanking the ancient palace gate; the imperial court (by metonymy)
literaryOriginally referred to the two watchtowers outside the palace gates where imperial decrees were posted. In literary Chinese, it serves as a metonym for the central government or the emperor's court, often contrasted with 'rivers and lakes' (江湖) representing the common world or reclusion.
Gǔ古
dài代
shì士
rén人
suī虽
yǐn隐
jū居
shān山
lín林
，
xīn心
zhōng中
réng仍
xì系
niàn念
wèi魏
què阙
。
Although ancient scholars lived in seclusion in the mountains, their hearts remained concerned with the imperial court.
Wèi魏
què阙
zhī之
shàng上
，
zhèng政
lìng令
pín频
chū出
。
Above the palace gate towers, government decrees were frequently issued.
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Tā他
gào告
bié别
wèi魏
què阙
，
guī归
yǐn隐
tián田
yuán园
。
He bid farewell to the imperial court and retired to live in the countryside.
Suī虽
shēn身
zài在
jiāng江
hǎi海
zhī之
shàng上
，
xīn心
cháng常
yóu游
yú于
wèi魏
què阙
zhī之
xià下
。
Though his body is upon the rivers and seas, his mind often wanders beneath the palace gate towers.