Detailed Explanation of Idioms - Origins and Evolution of 1111 Idioms (Illustrated Treasure Edition)

Author: Wang Chenggang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-02-01
Features: Over the past decade, Wang Chenggang has been a contemporary expert in regulated verse. He edited the six volumes of Huaxia Yinyou, which are well-composed. Unexpectedly, his exploration of allusions has also yielded remarkable results. It is said that the authors include his friends, his disciples, and his children, with Chenggang overseeing the compilation. The book explains the phrase "to have a well-thought-out plan in one's mind" as: "Su Shi's saying 'to have a well-thought-out plan in one's mind' refers to the vivid image of bamboo that one has in mind before picking up the brush to paint it." How vivid! How vivid! These two words "vivid" have never been mentioned by predecessors before. To carry on the family tradition, it is truly something to be proud of and celebrate. — Wen Huashu (Renowned master of Chinese classics)
Idioms are concise and profound fixed phrases that have been widely used for a long time. Allusions are ancient stories and words with clear origins that are quoted in literary works. Many idioms are allusions, and many allusions are idioms, but the two are not entirely identical. Our positioning for "Detailed Explanation" is exactly that: detailed explanations. The specific method is as follows: First, the pronunciation of the entry is indicated in the first line (without considering phonetic changes); second, the literal meaning and the overall meaning of the entry are explained; then, the original source is pointed out (generally before the Tang and Song dynasties) and appropriately interpreted. We adopt the method of "the essence of the quoted text is," avoiding rigid literal translations. Alternatively, after pointing out the source of the allusion, the content of the original text is narrated in colloquial language (often with some additions or subtractions). For some particularly brilliant original texts, the explanation is placed in parentheses for readers to understand and appreciate on their own, to avoid "turning gold into iron." Knowledgeability and interest are the primary principles of this book. The book selects 894 idioms and allusions. Including derivative sub-entries under the main entries, the entire book collects 1,111 idioms. To facilitate readers' reading, the book includes a large number of illustrations. It is particularly worth mentioning that four calligraphy works created by a contemporary renowned calligrapher for the publication of this book are attached at the beginning.