Understanding "倩女离魂·折桂令" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 倩女离魂·折桂令
• Pinyin: Qiàn nǚ lí hún · Zhé guì lìng
• Literal Meaning:
• 倩女 (Qiàn nǚ): "Beautiful maiden" or "elegant young woman."
• 离魂 (Lí hún): "Soul departure" or "spirit wandering away."
• 折桂令 (Zhé guì lìng): "Plucking the osmanthus branch order" (a poetic metaphor for achieving success or longing).
• Primary Meaning:
  A classical Chinese poetic and dramatic title, often referring to a famous Yuan dynasty zaju (杂剧, poetic drama) about a young woman whose soul leaves her body to pursue love. The phrase symbolizes transcendent love, longing, or supernatural themes in literature.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  "倩女离魂·折桂令" originates from the Yuan dynasty play The Soul of the Beautiful Maiden Leaves Her Body (《倩女离魂》), written by Zheng Guangzu (郑光祖). The "折桂令" is a musical aria title within the play, often used to express deep emotion or dramatic climaxes. In modern usage, it may appear in discussions of classical literature, theater, or as a poetic reference to ethereal love.

• Character Breakdown:

• 倩 (Qiàn): "Beautiful" or "elegant," often describing women.
• 女 (Nǚ): "Woman" or "maiden."
• 离 (Lí): "To leave" or "to part."
• 魂 (Hún): "Soul" or "spirit."
• 折 (Zhé): "To break" or "to pluck" (here, metaphorically "to achieve").
• 桂 (Guì): "Osmanthus," a symbol of success or the moon.
• 令 (Lìng): "Order" or "tune," referring to a musical aria in drama.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 《倩女离魂·折桂令》是元杂剧中的经典名篇。
   Pinyin: "Qiàn nǚ lí hún · Zhé guì lìng" shì Yuán zájù zhōng de jīngdiǎn míngpiān.
   English: "The Soul of the Beautiful Maiden Leaves Her Body · Plucking the Osmanthus Branch" is a classic masterpiece of Yuan dynasty poetic drama.

2. Chinese: 她演唱的《折桂令》充满了哀怨与深情。
   Pinyin: Tā yǎnchàng de "Zhé guì lìng" chōngmǎn le āiyuàn yǔ shēnqíng.
   English: Her performance of "Plucking the Osmanthus Branch" was filled with sorrow and deep emotion.

3. Chinese: 这个故事像《倩女离魂》一样浪漫动人。
   Pinyin: Zhège gùshi xiàng "Qiàn nǚ lí hún" yīyàng làngmàn dòngrén.
   English: This story is as romantic and touching as "The Soul of the Beautiful Maiden Leaves Her Body."

Cultural Notes

• The play 倩女离魂 is one of the "Four Great Yuan Dramas" and reflects Taoist-inspired themes of the soul transcending physical boundaries for love.
• "折桂令" originally referred to passing imperial exams (symbolized by "plucking osmanthus," a metaphor for success) but evolved into a musical form in dramas.
• The story influenced later works like The Peony Pavilion (《牡丹亭》), another tale of love beyond death.

Conclusion

"倩女离魂·折桂令" is a culturally rich phrase tied to classical Chinese theater and poetry. It represents themes of love, longing, and the supernatural, making it a beautiful example of how language and art intertwine in Chinese tradition. Remember: 倩女 = beautiful maiden, 离魂 = soul departure, and 折桂令 = a poetic aria of achievement or desire.