Name: Why does China have Sorrowful Geese? 哀鸿遍野
Uploaded: 2025-10-12T07:51:14+00:00
Duration: 13 min 1 s
Description: In this episode, we immerse ourselves in **哀鸿遍野 (āi hóng biàn yě)** — a powerful Chinese idiom meaning “wailing geese fill the land,” used to evoke mass suffering and desolation. We trace the phrase b

2 days ago

Podcasts Chinese idiom geese metaphor in Chinese poetry wild geese symbolism (鸿雁) Shi Jing (诗经) Du Fu (杜甫) displacement and suffering Chinese literary allusion Chinese culture and metaphor 心象 (mental imagery) . 诗意 (poetic meaning)

In this episode, we immerse ourselves in **哀鸿遍野 (āi hóng biàn yě)** — a powerful Chinese idiom meaning “wailing geese fill the land,” used to evoke mass suffering and desolation. We trace the phrase back to the *Shi Jing* (《诗经》) origin in the poem *鸿雁*, unpack the imagery and emotional layers in each character, and explore how geese function as symbols across Chinese poetry. Through classical examples by Du Fu, Du Mu, and references in Qing prose, we see how the motif of geese becomes a voice for displaced people, exiles, and tragedy. We then examine how **哀鸿遍野** is used in contemporary contexts — news, commentary, and literature — to witness humanitarian crises and disasters. Finally, this episode offers reflection questions for readers and translators. Whether you’re learning Chinese, exploring cultural metaphors, or interested in language and empathy, join us on this journey.

Time Codes

00:00 - China's Sorrowful Geese
00:59 - Part 1: Origins & Literary Background
03:46 - Part 2: Semantic & Metaphoric Layers
06:47 - Part 3: Case Examples & Modern Usage
10:04 - Part 4: Reflection, Implications & Listener Questions
12:15 - Conclusion

**Keywords / Key Terms (10–15):**

1. 哀鸿遍野 (āi hóng biàn yě)
2. Chinese idiom
3. geese metaphor in Chinese poetry
4. wild geese symbolism (鸿雁)
5. Shi Jing (诗经)
6. Du Fu (杜甫)
7. Du Mu (杜牧)
8. displacement and suffering
9. Chinese literary allusion
10. Chinese culture and metaphor
11. 心象 (mental imagery)
12. 诗意 (poetic meaning)
13. migration symbolism
14. lament and sorrow

#learnchineseintermediate #Compassion #ChineseCulture #AnimalEthics #MindfulLanguage #ChineseProverbs #Empathy #LanguageLearning #CulturalWisdom #Kindness #ChineseIdioms

References:
[1]: https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1502&la=0&webMd=1&utm_source=chatgpt.com "哀鴻遍野 [正文] - 成語檢視 - 教育部《成語典》2020 [基礎版]"
[2]: https://dictionary.chienwen.net/word/19/ab/c8851c-%E5%93%80%E9%B4%BB%E9%81%8D%E9%87%8E.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "哀鴻遍野的意思、解釋、用法、例句 - 國語辭典"
[3]: https://www.zdic.net/hans/%E5%93%80%E9%B4%BB%E9%81%8D%E9%87%8E?utm_source=chatgpt.com "哀鴻遍野的解释|哀鴻遍野的意思|汉典“哀鴻遍野”词语的解释"
[4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geese_in_Chinese_poetry?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Geese in Chinese poetry"
[5]: https://www.learnancientchinesepoetry.org/2021/04/15/du-fu-solitary-geese/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Du Fu: Solitary Geese – LAC Poetry - Learn Ancient Chinese Poetry"
[6]: https://poems.mahacinasthana.com/en/gushi/zao-yan-du-mu/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "To the Early Wild Geese by Du Mu | Poems and Idioms"
[7]: https://www.lovingchinese.com/cui-tu-a-lone-wild-geese-with-english-translations/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Cui Tu: A Lone Wild Geese ~ 《孤雁》崔涂 with English Translations"