7 Worthies of the Bamboo Grove
In the tumultuous Three Kingdoms period, the dangerous world of politics led seven friends to meet together in a bamboo forest, writing poetry, discoursing on philosophy, and enjoying the natural world. Some of the seven retained official roles, while others turned their backs on politics entirely. The seven as a whole became important icons in a long tradition of abandoning the stifling world of hypocritical politics for a life of the mind.
3 Winter Friends
winter friends 3 The "three winter friends" or "歲寒三友" is a four-character expression (成語) used to refer to three hardy plants: the pine, the bamboo (both of which last through the winter), and the plum, which flowers during the winter. This literary expression crops up in the Hong Lou Meng when a special garden is prepared to receive the imperial concubine for a family visit. 3 winter friends The "three winter friends" or "歲寒三友" is a four-character expression (成語) used to refer [...]
