u/XTravlleryX

As an ancient civilization founded on an agricultural society, the Chinese language has many characters derived from the imagery of grain, with '禾' being the most classic example. The '禾' character is also used as a very common radical to indicate that a word is, or once was, related to agriculture🌾

However, '禾' is actually rarely used to form words, and there are not many common words containing '禾' in modern Chinese! 📚

WELCOME ANY SUGGESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS!
(｡- v•)

As an ancient civilization founded on an agricultural society, the Chinese language has many characters derived from the imagery of grain, with '禾' being the most classic example. The '禾' character is also used as a radical to indicate that a word is, or once was, related to agriculture🌾

However, the character '禾' is actually rarely used to form words, and there are not many common words containing '禾' in modern Chinese." 🧐

WELCOME ANY SUGGESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS!
ᗜⰙᗜ

As an agricultural civilization, China's pastoral landscapes have been a frequently depicted realm in classical Chinese literature ever since the very birth of its poetry.🌾🌿
Pastoral poetry beautifully showcases the authentic lives of ancient people and the simple, heartfelt emotions of ordinary citizens.🍉

故人具鸡黍，邀我至田家。
绿树村边合，青山郭外斜。
开轩面场圃，把酒话桑麻。
待到重阳日，还来就菊花。

My friend's prepared chicken and rice,
I'm invited to his cottage hall.
Green trees surround the village nice,
Blue hills slant beyond city wall.
Windows open to field and ground,
Over wine we talk of crops of grain.
On Double Ninth Day I'll come round,
For the chrysanthemums again.

WELCOME ANY SUGGESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS! ＞𐋣＜

In classical Chinese literature, the "stone" serves as a symbol of unyielding fidelity and eternal emotion, embodying the unbending pride of authors🛘🍁
At times, it also evokes the imagery of a reclusive life, representing the delight of enjoying otherworldly scenery deep within the mountains and forests. ᴖᗜᴖ

Nowadays, we like to say that stones don’t explain or respond. They just coldly witness every era we live through.🪨

Moreover, the character "石" can also be used to form words like "石油" (petroleum), "磁石" (magnet), "金刚石" (diamond), and "钟乳石" (stalactite), among others.

WELCOME ANY DISCUSSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS!
&gt;w<

Just as in global literature, rain in classical Chinese works often serves as a backdrop for the author’s sorrow and melancholy. However, literary masters also cherished the misty, dreamlike qualities of Chinese rainscapes.🪷
Their evocative descriptions of rain create an immersive experience, making the reader feel as though they are listening to a soothing ASMR of falling rain. (˘꒳˘ )

And here's a quote of a modern poem↓

雨是一生过错
雨是悲欢离合
——海子《我请求：雨》

Rain soundless beady mistakes
Rain the vicissitudes of life
——by Haizi, I Ask: Rain

WELCOME ANY DISCUSSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS!
**＞**𐋣＜

In classical Chinese literature, the cloud's ever-changing, unpredictable dispersion, and drifting nature symbolizes freedom and a return to nature. To wandering travelers, they are like floating clouds—mirroring their helpless wandering and the volatility of human life☁️
Moreover, in Classical Chinese, "云" can also mean "to say." Examples include "古人云" (the ancients said) and "诗云" (the poem says). However, using it this way in Modern Chinese is not advised📜

Due to my current circumstances, I’ll try my best to update whenever I can, though it might be a bit irregular (´△｀)

Welcome any suggestions and discussions! ៷**>ᴗ<**៷

“树木是圣物。谁能同它们交谈，谁能倾听它们的语言，谁就获悉真理。”——赫尔曼·黑塞
"Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth."——Herman Hesse

A tree, in the tongue of old China, is wood made visible.
And a tree knows the patience of deep time🌲
The ancients, watching that slow unfurling, learned that ten years shapes a tree—a hundred, a soul
(十年树木，百年树人)
In the seasons stripped bare and reborn, they read time's silent scripture:
every fall a quiet resurrection waiting.
Between withering and bloom, a rhythm was found—
steady enough to hold the chaos of fate🌱🍁

I changed the style of illustrations this time! How is it look? Welcome any suggestions and discussions to make it better!(⑅•ᴗ•⑅)

As a civilization rooted in an agrarian society, "土地" “黄土”or sth words are a recurring motif in Chinese literature that weaves a deep attachment to the soil from ancient times to the present. In the eyes of men of old, we are merely passing travelers on the vast and boundless land, and everything ultimately returns to the yellow earth.🏜️
Consequently, the Loess Plateau is a frequently featured setting in modern Chinese literature when expressing this profound nostalgia for the homeland. This landscape encapsulates the most simple and authentic joys and sorrows of the Chinese people, calling upon them to speak in their thick native dialects, allowing the stories of every era to slowly grow upon this eternal land⏳

ᜊ•͈⌔•͈ᜊ
Welcome any suggestions and discussions!

我的生命是火，在光明中我从不凋谢。——张枣《夜蛾》
My destiny is fire; I never wither in the light.
–Zhang Zao, The Night Moth

Beyond its literal meaning, the Chinese character "火" is frequently used to describe things that are hot, spicy, infuriating, or wildly popular or sth else🔥

Btw here is the completion of the poem of the last picture⬇️

离离原上草，一岁一枯荣。
野火烧不尽，春风吹又生。
远芳侵古道，晴翠接荒城。
又送王孙去，萋萋满别情。

English ver(just for reference)
Wild grasses spread o'er ancient plain,
With spring and fall they come and go.
Wild fire can't burn them up again,
They rise when vernal breezes blow.
Their fragrance overruns the way,
Thir greens invade the ruined town.
To see my friend go far away,
My sorrow grows like grass o'ergrown.

Welcome any discussions and suggestions**
•͈ᴗ⁃͈ ✧

Man is a thinking reed.——Blaise Pascal
人是一根能思想的苇草。——布莱斯·帕斯卡

In Chinese literature, the ancients' descriptions and depictions of philosophical reflections on life are truly unique. Very early on, they came to realize just how infinitesimally small a human being is within the vastness of the universe and the endless flow of time⌛️…Below, I will share the full version of the poem of the last picture：

青青陵上柏，磊磊涧中石。
人生天地间，忽如远行客。
斗酒相娱乐，聊厚不为薄。
驱车策驽马，游戏宛与洛。
洛中何郁郁，冠带自相索。
长衢罗夹巷，王侯多第宅。
两宫遥相望，双阙百余尺。
极宴娱心意，戚戚何所迫？

Eng version (just for reference)
Green, green grows the cypress on the mound;
Piles, piles of stones in the streams abound.
Men reside between heaven and earth,
Like travelers parting from their places of birth.
I taste the goblet of wine from the deep cell;
Not quite enough, but I enjoy it well.
I whip my jade horse that draws my cart,
Seeking pleasure in the Wan and Luo mart.
Luoyang is full of all the hustle and bustle,
Where the capped and belted mandarins tussle.
Long avenues sprout alleys that lead far and near,
Lined with mansions of a prince or peer.
Two palaces stand on two ends of the street,
Each with twin towers over a hundred feet.
Since grand feasts give pleasure to excess,
What is there on earth to cause distress?

Welcome any suggestions and discussions!
=ᗜωᗜ=

In ancient Chinese literature, 'running water' has always been a symbol for the passage of time, frequently serving as a vehicle for philosophical reflections on how swiftly time flies and as a release for deep-seated melancholy💧
At the same time, "水" (shui/water) is an incredibly versatile character in the Chinese language when it comes to forming compound words. The ways it can combine with other characters go far beyond what is shown in the picture; it also includes words like "香水" (perfume), "胶水" (glue), "水泡" (blister/bubble), "水豚" (capybara), "水母" (jellyfish), and "风水" (fengshui), among many others🐳

I tried to replace some of the illustrations with real photos to compare them with the other images and see how it looks, btw the vertical layout will be designed on next post!୧(´▽`★)

I'm still welcome any suggestions and discussions!
＞𐋣＜

In Chinese literature, the mountain serves as a sanctuary for reclusion and spiritual refuge, offering a peaceful haven for scholars wishing to escape the chaotic mundane world.🏔️
It is also an allegory for resilience, aloofness, and noble character, while simultaneously standing as a grand symbol of the nation and its sovereignty🗻

I'm also think...I’ll try replacing all the illustrations with regular photos next time to see how it looks
˵>ㅿ<˵

Welcome any suggestions and discussions to make it better!＞𐋣＜

In Chinese literature, the moon is a timeless symbol of homesickness and reunion. No matter how far we drift or how time separates us, we all look up at the very same moon. Its ever-changing phases are a gentle reminder of life's unpredictable nature🌙

Welcome any discussion and suggestion!＞𐋣＜

I'm more focused in how Chinese characters are used and combined into words bcz Chinese characters are a flexible writing system, Learning each Chinese character is one of the keys to accessing the essence of Chinese culture!(๑•̀ㅁ•́ฅ)

I'm making this series for the first time, welcome any question and suggestion to make better!
(****・∀・****)